Microsoft VSS Writers Not Functioning

This problem came about when I was having trouble with my backup software. VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) is a feature of Microsoft Windows that allows open and locked files to be backed up. When the issue occurs, running the command vssadmin list writers will either display nothing or an error code.

Follow the instructions from this Microsoft Support article to fix the problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940184

The article applies to Server 2003, but I used the same steps for Server 2008.

!!!UPDATE!!!

I had another server, running Server 2008, having the same/similar VSS issues, where the above mentioned KB article didn't fix the problem. Copy and paste the following text into a .bat file and run the file. This bat file will stop a few services and re-regeister some DLLs.

net stop "System Event Notification Service"
net stop "Background Intelligent Transfer Service"
net stop "COM+ Event System"
net stop "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider "
net stop "Volume Shadow Copy"
cd /d %windir%\system32
net stop vss
net stop swprv
regsvr32 /s ATL.DLL
regsvr32 /s comsvcs.DLL
regsvr32 /s credui.DLL
regsvr32 /s CRYPTNET.DLL
regsvr32 /s CRYPTUI.DLL
regsvr32 /s dhcpqec.DLL
regsvr32 /s dssenh.DLL
regsvr32 /s eapqec.DLL
regsvr32 /s esscli.DLL
regsvr32 /s FastProx.DLL
regsvr32 /s FirewallAPI.DLL
regsvr32 /s kmsvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s lsmproxy.DLL
regsvr32 /s MSCTF.DLL
regsvr32 /s msi.DLL
regsvr32 /s msxml3.DLL
regsvr32 /s ncprov.DLL
regsvr32 /s ole32.DLL
regsvr32 /s OLEACC.DLL
regsvr32 /s OLEAUT32.DLL
regsvr32 /s PROPSYS.DLL
regsvr32 /s QAgent.DLL
regsvr32 /s qagentrt.DLL
regsvr32 /s QUtil.DLL
regsvr32 /s raschap.DLL
regsvr32 /s RASQEC.DLL
regsvr32 /s rastls.DLL
regsvr32 /s repdrvfs.DLL
regsvr32 /s RPCRT4.DLL
regsvr32 /s rsaenh.DLL
regsvr32 /s SHELL32.DLL
regsvr32 /s shsvcs.DLL
regsvr32 /s swprv.DLL
regsvr32 /s tschannel.DLL
regsvr32 /s USERENV.DLL
regsvr32 /s vss_ps.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemcons.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemcore.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemess.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemsvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s WINHTTP.DLL
regsvr32 /s WINTRUST.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmiprvsd.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmisvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmiutils.DLL
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.DLL
regsvr32 /s ole32.dll
regsvr32 /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 /s vss_ps.dll
vssvc /register
regsvr32 /s /i swprv.dll
regsvr32 /s /i eventcls.dll
regsvr32 /s es.dll
regsvr32 /s stdprov.dll
regsvr32 /s vssui.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml3.dll
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrv.DLL
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrvut.DLL
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\CLBCatQ.DLL
net start "System Event Notification Service"
net start "Background Intelligent Transfer Service"
net start "COM+ Event System"
net start "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider"
net start "Volume Shadow Copy"

Also, delete and re-create this registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\EventSystem\{26c409cc-ae86-11d1-b616-00805fc79216}\EventClasses\{FAF53CC4-BD73-4E36-83F1-2B23F46E513E}-{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}-{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
Delete the TypeLib entry

Re-create
Name=TypeLib
Type=REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data=%systemroot%\system32\EVENTCLS.DLL

Then reboot the server.

BBQ Sauce

2 c ketchup
3/4 c water
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
5 T brown sugar
2 T white sugar
3 T honey
1 T lemon juice
1 t black pepper
1/2 t ground mustard
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t cayenne powder
Few dashes of liquid smoke

Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for 2 or more hours.

Rib Rub

All measurements are in parts

2 black pepper
2 salt
1 garlic powder
1/2 cumin
1/2 onion powder
1/2 cayenne powder
1/2 accent

Mix.

Mac n' Cheese

1 T salt
1 T vegetable oil
2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
2 eggs
12 oz can evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter, melted
12 oz shredded sharp cheddar
Dust with paprika

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Bring water, salt, & oil to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water.

Mix together eggs, evaporated milk, melted butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese and add pasta. Spray baking pan and add mixture. Top with remaining cheese and dust with paprika.

Bake approximately 40 minutes

Pulled Pork

1 Bone-in pork shoulder

Rub Recipe
1/3 c black pepper
3 T paprika
2 T garlic powder
2 T onion powder
1/4 c salt
1/4 c chili powder
1/4 c cumin
1/4 c dark brown sugar
1 T ground mustard
1 t cayenne pepper

Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. Combine all above ingredients into a bowl. Rub mixture all over the pork.

Preheat the oven or grill to 225 degrees. Place pork in roasting pan, directly on rack (with a sheet pan underneath to catch the drippings), or directly on the grill.

Apply sauce every hour (see below for sauce recipe)

Cook for approximately 9 hours for an 8 pound pork shoulder.

When pork is pulled and shredded from the bone, pour the remaining sauce over it.

Sauce recipe
1 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 c water
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T black pepper
2 T cayenne pepper
1 T salt
2 T canola oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Using John the Ripper to Crack Cisco 5 (enable secret) Encrypted Passwords

If you have a Cisco configuration text file with an enable secret password hash, you can use John the Ripper to crack it. To do this, create a text file with the following information:

enable_secret:HashTextFromConfigFile

for example:

enable_secret:$1$4kd$kddCdhRhHH8dwlndz.e2h

Save this text file in the John directory. Run John against this file:
UNIX/Linux command: john textfile
Windows: john-386.exe textfile

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