Microsoft KB Archive/943471

= Error messages when you create a snapshot backup of many databases at the same time in SQL Server 2000 or in SQL Server 2005: &quot;ERROR Selected writer 'Microsoft Writer (Service State)' is in failed state&quot; =

Article ID: 943471

Article Last Modified on 11/2/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Workgroup Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Personal Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario. In Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or in Microsoft SQL Server 2005, you create a snapshot backup of many databases at the same time. To do this, you use the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), or you use the Virtual Backup Device Interface (VDI). In this scenario, the snapshot backup operation fails. Additionally, you receive the following error message if you use the VSS to create the snapshot backup:

ERROR: Selected writer 'Microsoft Writer (Service State)' is in failed state!

- Status: 8 (VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_PREPARE_SNAPSHOT)

- Writer Failure code: 0x800423f4 ()

- Writer ID: { }

- Instance ID: { }

You receive one of the following error messages if you use the VDI to create the snapshot backup:

Error message 1
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server] Insufficient resources to create UMS scheduler.

Msg 3267, SevLevel 16, State 1, SQLState 42000

Error message 2
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server] Could not create worker thread.

Msg 3013, SevLevel 16, State 1, SQLState 42000

The number of databases that you try to back up when this problem occurs varies. The number of databases depends on the following conditions:
 * The configuration of SQL Server 2000 or of SQL Server 2005.
 * Other activities in SSQL Server 2000 or of SQL Server 2005.



CAUSE
In SQL Server 2000 and in SQL Server 2005, the snapshot backup of each database uses five threads in the Sqlservr.exe process. Additionally, other activities may also use threads in the Sqlservr.exe process. Depending on the configuration of SQL Server 2000 or of SQL Server 2005, the available threads may be used up if you create a snapshot backup of many databases at the same time.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, create a snapshot backup of fewer databases at the same time.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
We recommend that you create a snapshot backup of fewer than 35 databases at the same time.

Keywords: kbexpertiseadvanced kbtshoot kbprb KB943471

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