All system restore points constantly deleted with VSS services/volsnap errors

Anonymous
2014-01-08T09:35:11+00:00

Original Title: Let's start simple! Is there anyone from Microsoft out there?

For 6 weeks, I've been trying to sort out why my system restore points keep getting wiped out - something to do with VSS Server, I think. But let's forget that for now - all I want at the moment is a definitive answer whether VSS Server should be on Manual or Automatic. Some MS documents say one, some the other. If I can find out this, we can then move on to the next step of why it keeps getting switched off, regardless of which option is chosen. So SHOULD IT BE ON MANUAL OR AUTO? surely that isn't difficult to answer and must be known by MS.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-14T09:00:35+00:00

    Hi Rob,

    Could it have been due to me running a Windows-based disk check at the time? I have 2 internal hard drives (3 partitions) and 2 external (each 1 Tb) and the errors ran from 19.03 to 22.34. The disk check would have been running then - I went to bed at about 10.30 and the last external drive was about half done. I left the computer running overnight and had no more errors. Is this a possible answer?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-14T08:31:15+00:00

    Hi,

    When you did the reset did you tell it not to use any previous settings? Obviously that

    is not a default Windows caused issue or millions and millions would have it.

    Have you done or installed anything that works with or uses the VSS or Restore Points? 

    Hopefully not. Or have you changed any setting anywhere that is related to the VSS,

    Restore Points, Backup, or File History?

    Are you trying to access the Restore Point area? Or did you change it?

     <- Mark Twain said it right!

    Wow Rob!

    Plenty of homework there!

    I don't know about the previous settings, though I know the previous settings for Services were not still there. I also found about 3 were set to Auto when the defaults according to Black Viper are Manual (and were Manual before the re-install as I'd set all to his defaults - so I don't think I've kept the settings) so I changed them to the supposed "defaults".

    I've no idea how to tell if anything else uses VSS or Restore points. Or if any settings anywhere would affect them.

    Where is the Restore Piont area?

    At least my System Restore points are still there. I tried a SR to a point a few hours before the VSS errors started, and it said it hadn't completed because it couldn't access a file to do with avast definitions. BUT it didn't rollback the changes (that hasn't happened before) and it does seem to have made changes, as the software it said would be affected by the SR no longer exists on the computer. I'll check which set of Services I'm now running - the so-called "defaults" or the defaults I had after the re-install

    I'll look at the links you supplied and get back to you, if you don't mind, though you may be getting sick of this!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-14T01:37:36+00:00

    Hi,

    When you did the reset did you tell it not to use any previous settings? Obviously that

    is not a default Windows caused issue or millions and millions would have it.

    Have you done or installed anything that works with or uses the VSS or Restore Points? 

    Hopefully not. Or have you changed any setting anywhere that is related to the VSS,

    Restore Points, Backup, or File History?

    Are you trying to access the Restore Point area? Or did you change it?

    Sounds like you might have a drive problem or possibly even malware. Check with your

    system maker and Microsoft Support direct. Check with TDSSkiller.exe to check for RootKits.

    You might need to download the ISO and re-install Windows 8/8.1 and in the process remove

    all partitions.

    Also check the guys are TechNet where they might have see that error. You could move the

    VSS area however the problem might follow the change and worse whatever causing it would

    be unknown and may pop up to bite you even worse.

    =============================================================

    TDSSKiller.exe. - Download to the Desktop - then go to it and Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

    it will show any infections in the report after running - if it will not run change the name from

    tdsskiller.exe to tdsskiller.com. Whether it finds anything or not does not mean you should not

    check with the other methods below.

    http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684

    =============================================================

    Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using your Windows 8.0 Key

    http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

    Download Windows 8.1 iso

    http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-windows-8-1-iso/

    Download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a Windows 8 key and some simple trickery

    http://betanews.com/2013/10/21/download-the-windows-8-1-iso-using-a-windows-8-key-and-some-simple-trickery/

    You can also make a Recovery USB drive.

    How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

    On Nov. 15, 2013 Windows 8.1 Back-up Media will be available for purchase. Newegg and

    others will be offering the disc,

    Windows 8.1 'Back-up Media' disc available to buy soon

    http://betanews.com/2013/11/05/windows-8-1-back-up-media-disc-available-to-buy-soon/

    ============================================================

    TechNet - XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 IT Pro (Windows 8.1 Preview & RTM)

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro,w8itpro,windowsvistaitpro,windowsxpitpro,windowsintune

    TechNet- Forums

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/categories/

    TechNet - Where is the Forum For…?

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/whatforum/threads

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-13T22:35:18+00:00

    I think your best bet is to use a full Reset and to be careful what you install.

    Hi, Rob,

    I've spent all of today doing a full Reset of Win 8.1 and most applications, and haven't run any Registry Cleaners. So  far, I've lost the previous  Volume Shadow Copy errors, but get a Warning:

    "Volume Shadow Copy Service warning: VSS was denied access to the root of volume \?\Volume{75f95e61-7c4b-11e3-824c-d43d7ef2db11}. Denying administrators from accessing volume roots can cause many unexpected failures, and will prevent VSS from functioning properly.  Check security on the volume, and try the operation again."

    Operation:

    Removing auto-release shadow copies

    Loading provider

    Context:

    Execution Context: System Provider"

    Have had this 5 times in the last 2 h. Any ideas? I've seen a method that is meant to get rid of these where you specify the drive. Since I don't know the drive, I suppose I repeat it for each one?

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-11T11:31:32+00:00

    Windows 8.1 built-in System Image programs are useful to know about.

    How to create a system image to refresh your Windows 8 PC

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2748351

    How to create a custom refresh image in Windows 8

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/create-custom-refresh-image-in-windows-8/

    Thanks for these - I've stashed them away for after I do a complete re-install

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