Microsoft KB Archive/820766

= VDS service returns an error status of 8000ffff to all requests in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 820766

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
On your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, the Virtual Disk service (VDS) returns the following error message in response to any command line request:

swProvider->QueryPacks failed, hr=0x8000ffff ()



CAUSE
This problem may occur when an instance of the class that represents information about a group of disks for a specific provider becomes corrupted.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now 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 this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or 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. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) 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 tool in Control Panel.   Date         Time   Version      Size     File name     Platform -  08-Jul-2003  23:55  5.2.3790.68  316,928  Vdsdyndr.dll  x86 08-Jul-2003 23:59  5.2.3790.68  731,136  Vdsdyndr.dll  IA-64



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, restart the VDS service.



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



MORE INFORMATION
The VDS implements a single, uniform interface for managing disks. Each hardware vendor writes a VDS provider that translates general purpose VDS application programming interfaces (APIs) into specific instructions for that hardware vendor's hardware. With this abstraction layer that is provided by the VDS, Windows Server 2003 offers a more robust set of solutions, including greater flexibility for making long-term investment decisions about storage area networks (SANs) and about other storage options.

For additional information about Windows Server 2003 file services, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

818703 White Paper: Technical Overview of Windows Server 2003 File Services

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the Standard Terminology That Is Used to Describe Microsoft Software Updates

Additional query words: VDS

Keywords: kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbwinserv2003presp1fix KB820766

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