System state backup fails : Event 517 : 0x80070020 : Windows Server 2016

Vaughan Wickham 141 Reputation points
2020-08-22T00:22:07.603+00:00

Hello,

Am trying to perform System State backup on server.

The error is: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

I know that it is possible to use Process Monitor to identify when a file is being accessed by a process; don't know how to use Process Monitor to identify which processes are using SystemState

There are WER errors in the Event Log when the backup fails; but the log files that are being reported in the event log (the "attached files" refered to in the Event Log entry) don't exist at the reported path??

Would appreciate suggestions on how to troubleshoot

Thanks

Vaughan

Windows Server Backup
Windows Server Backup
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Backup: A duplicate copy of a program, a disk, or data, made either for archiving purposes or for safeguarding valuable files from loss should the active copy be damaged or destroyed.
464 questions
0 comments

4 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Vaughan Wickham 141 Reputation points
    2020-08-22T07:46:17.957+00:00

    Hello,

    I have located the log file for the WindowsServerBackup (C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsServerBackup)

    The log file has additional info:

    Error in deletion of [C:\System Volume Information\$CBT2] while pruning the target VHD: Error [0x80070020] The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

    I have then tried deleting the above file without success

    I have taken ownership and given myself Full Control

    I have also given SYSTEM Full Control

    When I try to delete the file, nothing happens. No error, no dialog box.

    I have re-run the backup after giving SYSTEM full control and the backup continues to fail

    0 comments
  2. Vaughan Wickham 141 Reputation points
    2020-08-23T06:30:50.71+00:00

    Hello,

    I have tried excluding the above file via 'Advanced Settings', but unfortunately makes no difference.

    When I modify the backup job, at the end of the wizard, it says that the job has been updated successfully.

    But if I then re-edit the backup job to confirm, I discover that the exclusion has not been saved.

    0 comments
  3. Ian Xue (Shanghai Wicresoft Co., Ltd.) 33,376 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2020-08-25T04:20:05.033+00:00

    Hi，
    You could use Process Explorer to find out which process is using that file. Run it as administrator, click the “Find” menu and select “Find a Handle or DLL”, then type in the file name and search.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

    20072-2020-08-25-121616.png

    Best Regards,
    Ian

  4. Vaughan Wickham 141 Reputation points
    2020-08-28T10:04:10.777+00:00

    Hello,

    Have determined that when performing a SystemState backup, it is not possible to set exclusions.

    The GUI allows it, but ignores them.

    If you use wbadmin instead, the -exclusions argument is not accepted.

    Regards,
    Vaughan

    0 comments