VMware Converter fails at 1% on Windows Server 2003 with the error code 2147754774

Symptoms
  • A P2V conversion fails at 1% on Windows Server 2003
  • You see these error:
    • VSS error 'FAILED: Unable to create a VSS snapshot of the source volume(s). Error code:2147754774 (0x80042316)
    • Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {24602736-bed9-4619-91b0-243447c6409c}. Routine returned E_INVALIDARG. Routine details DeleteSnapshots ({addec3ed-3a00-4cdc-9afe-0dc3c2dd23d6}, 2, 1, [0],[{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}]) failed.
  • The Converter-server.log contains entries similar to:

    [2011-02-25 14:36:51.359 02624 error 'App'] [task,344] [LRO] Unexpected Exception: converter.fault.VSSSnapshotFault
    [2011-02-25 14:36:51.360 02624 info 'App'] [task,373] [task-7] -- ERROR -- Convert: converter.fault.VSSSnapshotFault
    (converter.fault.VSSSnapshotFault) {
       dynamicType = <unset>,
       faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
       errCode = "2147754774 (0x80042316)",
       msg = "",     
Resolution
This issue occurs if Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) has problems performing a snapshot of disks, which can occur if multiple providers are associated with the operating system.
 
To check if there are multiple providers and delete the second provider:
  1. Click Start > Run, type cmd, and press Enter.
  2. Run the command:

    vssadmin list writers

    This command should not return errors.

  3. Check the providers associated with the operating system with the command:

    vssadmin list providers

  4. If the command returns more than one provider, remove the key of the second provider from the Windows registry: 

    Note: Ensure to take a backup of the Windows Registry before proceeding.
     
    1. Click Start > Run, type regedit, and press Enter.
    2. Browse the registry toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Providers.
    3. Back up the registry location. Right-click on the key and choose Export.
    4. Remove the key for the second provider. It appears similar toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Providers\<GUID>.

      Note: Keep the Microsoft provider key. It appears similar toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Providers\{b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}.

    5. Reboot the physical host.