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metarushej
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Unable to create a VSS snapshot of the source volume(s). Error code: 259 (0x00000103).

Hi,

We are virtualising a Win 2011 SP1 server using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone - running locally on the server.

We encounter @ 3% complete.

The error code is  FAILED: Unable to create a VSS snapshot of the source volume(s). Error code:

259 (0x00000103).

Can anyone advise on what might be causing the error\how to resolve?

Thank you

John

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POCEH
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More clear explanation that "snapshot creations take too long time ( > 5min)" is not possible.

View solution in original post

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daphnissov
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The last version of Converter to support Windows 2000 was version 4.0, and even then it required SP4 be installed. Regardless, I think you're going to need SP4 anyhow.

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metarushej
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Sorry, the source server is a Windows SBS Server 2011 SP1.

Regards

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POCEH
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Seems that snapshot creations take too long time ( > 5min)

Try again, after worker service restart, or to limit number of active snapshots via vssadmin command, or to exclude some disk(s) from conversion.

HTH

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RajeevVCP4
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Refer this KB

VMware Knowledge Base

VMware Knowledge Base

Rajeev Chauhan
VCIX-DCV6.5/VSAN/VXRAIL
Please mark help full or correct if my answer is use full for you
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metarushej
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Hi,

Apologies for the delay in replying here.

I have done some further analysis here and can see that the event log contains the following error.

Exchange VSS Writer (instance b**********************************) failed with error code -2147221233 when preparing for Snapshot.

Any insight that can be provided into the above would be appreciated.

Thank you

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daphnissov
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This is a Windows/Exchange issue and not one that is VMware related.

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metarushej
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Hi,

Sorry, I saw an Exchange-related error VSS error in the evet log and assumed that this was related to the problem. I see that the Converter job continued past that point so I guess that the the xchange-related error VSS error is not the root cause.

Does anyone know what  Error code: 259 (0x00000103) is \what its cause is?

Thank you.

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Alex_Romeo
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Hi,

It's a bit old and the version isn't the same thing, but I think it might be useful.

[SOLVED] VMWare converter failed - Spiceworks

[SOLVED] VSS causes image push to fail - VMware Forum - Spiceworks - Page 2

Alessandro Romeo

Blog: https://www.aleadmin.it/
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POCEH
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More clear explanation that "snapshot creations take too long time ( > 5min)" is not possible.

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metarushej
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Hi,

Based on your feedback (snapshot take too long), I shut down a number of database services on the server to free up resources.

I found that the migration then ran successfully.

Thank you!