Event ID 13 — Volume Shadow Copy Service Operations

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

The Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) provides the ability to create a point in time image (shadow copy) of one or more volumes that can be used to perform backups. The service is also used during restores of applications.

Event Details

Product: Windows Operating System
ID: 13
Source: VSS
Version: 6.1
Symbolic Name: VSS_ERROR_STARTING_COM_SERVER
Message: Volume Shadow Copy Service information: The COM Server with CLSID %1 and name %2 cannot be started. [%3] %4

Resolve

Check that services are enabled and providers are operating properly

Note: This event can be caused by running backup software containing a 32-bit Volume Shadow Copy service (VSS) requester on a 64-bit version of Windows.

This event can indicate that the computer is low on resources or has incorrect COM registration information.

To resolve this issue, check that the COM+ Event System service is started and that the VSS service and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service are both enabled. You should also make sure that third-party installed VSS providers are operating properly. If a VSS provider is not operating properly, you should try reinstalling it. If that does not work, you should contact the provider vendor.

To perform these procedures, you must have membership in Administrators, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority.

Check that the COM+ Event System service is started

To check that the COM+ Event System service is started:

  1. Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
  2. In the results pane, double-click COM+ Event System.
  3. In Service status, make sure that the status is Started. If the status is not Started, click Start.
  4. Ensure that Startup type is set to Automatic.
  5. Click OK.

Check that the VSS service is enabled

To check that the VSS service is enabled:

  1. Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
  2. In the results pane, double-click Volume Shadow Copy.
  3. Ensure that Startup type is set to Manual.
  4. Click OK.

Check that the Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service is enabled

To check that the Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service is enabled:

  1. Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
  2. In the results pane, double-click Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider.
  3. Ensure that Startup type is set to Manual.
  4. Click OK.

Make sure that third-party installed VSS providers are operating properly

To make sure that third-party installed VSS providers are operating properly:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
  2. Type diskshadow at the command prompt, and then press Enter.
  3. Type list providers, and then press Enter.
  4. If a provider is missing from the list of registered providers, try reinstalling it.
  5. For each provider in the list, use the DiskShadow tool's add and create commands to create a shadow copy of the volume for which the provider is responsible. If a provider is unable to create a shadow copy, contact the provider vendor if it is not Microsoft. If a Microsoft provider is unable to create the shadow copy, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support. For more information, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=102491. You should provide the entire event log message as it appears in the Event Viewer.

For more information about the DiskShadow tool, including usage examples, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=117722.

Verify

To verify that the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) is operating correctly, retry the previous VSS operation.

Volume Shadow Copy Service Operations

File Services