You may be unable to perform certain disk-related operations after an exception when a hardware provider tries to create a snapshot in Windows Server 2008 R2 or in Windows 7

Consider the following scenario:

• You create a volume that covers one or more disks on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.
• A hardware provider tries to create a snapshot for the volume. However, an exception occurs, and the action is unsuccessful.

In this scenario, you cannot perform certain disk-related operations. These operations may include the following:

• You back up one of these disks by using a backup application such as System Center Date Protection Manager (DPM).
• One of these disks is used as a shared disk in a Windows failover cluster. However, you cannot bring the shared disk online.
• You run an application that calls the ResourceControl callback function together with the CLUSCTL_RESOURCE_STORAGE_GET_DISK_INFO_EX resource control code against these disks. However, the application returns error code 1168.

As the snapshot of a volume is being created, the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) sets the disks that are covered by the volume to a special state. When the snapshot is finished, the VSS re sets the disks to the correct state. If an exception occurs when a hardware provider creates a snapshot of a volume, VSS never resets the disks to the correct state.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows 7

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix. You must stop the Volume Shadow Copy Service before you install this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 file information note

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and of Windows 7

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and of Windows7

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2 and for Windows 7

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and of Windows 7

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and of Windows 7

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

For more information about the ResourceControl function, click the following article in the Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: