Windows Server Backup "Reading Data; please wait..."

Question

On windows Server 2008 R2 I have recently added the windows server backup (WSB) feature.

Opening WSB I get the message "Reading Data; please wait...". This message fails to go away, even after leaving the server for over 12 hours. I also notice in the task manager that svchost.exe (username: networkservice) is using all available processing power. So I terminated that process and then WSB comes on-line.

However after restarting the server and WSB the issue reoccurs. WSB also fails to recognize my store-in-go flash drive (2gb).

What is the underlying problem here?

Solution

I am using Windows Server 2008 R2. I was also trying to use Windows Server Backup to mount a recently backed-up vhd. My Windows Server Backup program was also stuck forever at "Reading Data Please Wait." (My vhd was saved to a USB-mounted external drive).

I am not going to answer the question of "What is the underlying problem here?" Because to me the more important questions is, "Is there another (easy) way to achieve my goal? There sure is, and it's built into Windows.

Here's how I achieved my goal.

First, you have to kill off this stuck backup process. Super simple: Just go into SERVICES and restart "Block Level Backup Engine."

Now that we are out of that stuck program, we still need to get into the Windows Server Backup vhd.

I was able to very quickly and easily mount the backup vhd as logical (usable) hard drive by using a built-in Windows program called DISKPART.

Follow These Easy steps:

Open command prompt and just type DISKPART

It returns a few lines indicating that DiskPart is started.

Next type SEL VDISK file=”the-location-of-your-file-including-the-file-name”

For example:

DISKPART> SEL VDISK file="J:\WindowsImageBackup\99-DC02\Backup 2017-01-16 070031\2a7efb56-0b8e-11e4-8d4c-806e6f6e6963.vhd"

It returns: DiskPart successfully selected the virtual disk file.

Now type ATTACH VDISK

It returns: 100 percent completed

After a few secs, your vhd will mount as a new logical drive. You can now dig into this drive with your Windows Explorer GUI just the same as any. I was able to retrieve files that I needed by dragging them to the desktop.

When you are done retrieving files, and you want to quit, go back to your command prompt window and type DETACH VDISK

It returns: DiskPart successfully detached the virtual disk file.

Thank you Microsoft for an Excellent Utility!

Comments

[Mathieu Chateau]

Can you provide more information ? Did you ever setup WSB to do backup ? What about if you remove this flash drive before launching WSB console ? what about event log errors?

[Reafidy]

@MathieuChateau, I have never setup WSB to do a backup. Removing the flash drive has no effect, the problem existed prior to us connecting the flash drive. The are no errors in the event log.

[Danila Ladner]

It is not a constructive answer. If you have questions to OP place them in comments.