Shadow Copies Deleted After Defragmenting Windows Server 2003 Volume

Windows Server 2003 includes a new feature of Volume Shadow Copy Service

, which allows recovering lost or inadvertently deleted shared files and folders. The feature remedies the problem of permanent file deletion in Windows Server 2000, due to which a file deleted from across the network is not placed in Recycle Bin but is permanently gone. On the other hand, it does not prove a complete alternative to backups. This is because that shadowed data resides on the same volume on which the original data has been stored. Thus, if this volume becomes corrupt or is formatted, there would be no other way to restore from traditional backup or use a powerful Windows Data Recovery product.

For example, consider a situation when you try to run Disk Defragmenter utility on a shadow copies activated volume in Windows Server 2003-based computer. You notice that some or all of shadow copies of data are deleted or lost. You observe a definite pattern that the oldest shadow copies of data are deleted first. When you view the System log, you come across errors suggesting disk space issues.

Cause

The described behavior results because of file system cluster size issues. The System Shadow Copy provider uses a cluster size independent mechanism, called copy-on-write, which typically functions at 16-KB block level. This problem occurs when cluster size is smaller than 16 KB. In this situation, the System Shadow Copy provider fails to correctly distinguish between defragmentation I/O and typical I/O operations. As a result, it carries on with cop-on-write operation, which increases the storage area of Shadow Copy. It starts deleting the data copies once the storage area comes to its defined limit.

Solution

To solve the above issue, you are suggested to reformat the volume using 16-KB or larger cluster allocation unit size.

Since the reformatting process causes the entire volume data to delete, you will need to restore it from a traditional backup. If this fails or is unavailable, windows partition recovery solutions come to rescue. Windows Data Recovery products are high-end tools with unique and safe technology to recover lost data and partitions.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery Software is an unmatched recovery solution to restore damaged, lost, deleted or formatted disk partitions. It is a non-destructive windows partition recovery product with rich set of features, such as Disk Cloning, Disk Imaging, S.M.A.R.T features, RAW File Recovery and more. The tool supports Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000 based systems.

by: Jacob Luis

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