Error 1053 - cannot start MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

[wpc09]

I am running Mozy Home backup on my Windowx XP Media Center 2005 SP3 maching.
I discovered that the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider service is not
running. I get a message about the service not responding promptly and timing
out. This prevents Mozy Home backup from completing.

I have tried a number of suggested fixes such as deleting storage volumes,
rebooting and letting Windows reinstall them; starting and stopping other
services. My computer manufacturer advised trying to install Windows Server
2003 SP2 on my machine, but I am afraid to do this since there are inevitably
going to be some differences in the software. Windows XP gives me a strong
warning that the Windows Server 2003 SP2 is not the same OS.

I understand that this may be a completely unfixable problem without a
complete reinstall of Windows. Does anyone have a clue what I can do to fix
this service so it will run properly?

 

[Peter Foldes]

Your XP warning is correct. Windows 2003 Server SP2 is not the same as Windows XP


Error 1053
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/839174

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I am running Mozy Home backup on my Windowx XP Media Center 2005 SP3
maching.
I discovered that the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider service is not
running. I get a message about the service not responding promptly and
timing
out. This prevents Mozy Home backup from completing.

I have tried a number of suggested fixes such as deleting storage volumes,
rebooting and letting Windows reinstall them; starting and stopping other
services. My computer manufacturer advised trying to install Windows
Server
2003 SP2 on my machine,

I'm not sure I can imagine a valid reason for that advice.

Do you actually *own* a license for Server 2003?

but I am afraid to do this since there are inevitably
going to be some differences in the software.

Between Windows Media Center Edition and Windows Server 2003? You bet there
are.

Windows XP gives me a strong
warning that the Windows Server 2003 SP2 is not the same OS.

No kidding!

I understand that this may be a completely unfixable problem without a
complete reinstall of Windows. Does anyone have a clue what I can do to
fix
this service so it will run properly?

Have you tried simply enabling the service and starting it?

If it isn't present on your system, it may be not supported in Media Center
Edition.

And if the backup software won't work properly on your systems, it might be
better to shift to backup software that does.

Given your comments about Server 2003, it sounds like there are some details
you've omitted here.


-pk

 

[wpc09]

I couldn't imagine a valid reason for that advice either, but Cyberpower's
tech support told me to try intalling Windows Server 2003 because "it's very
similar to XP." One reason why OEM installers are probably not good for tech
support on operating systems.

I get the error message precisely because I went in and tried to start the
service. The service refuses to start and immediately give the error
message:

"Could not start the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider service on Local
computer." "Error 1053: The Service did not respond to the start or control
request in a timely fashion."

I also followed another suggested fix from a discussion board about
reinstalling .NET Framework 1.1. This did not make any change. The service
still won't load.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I couldn't imagine a valid reason for that advice either, but Cyberpower's
tech support told me to try intalling Windows Server 2003 because "it's
very
similar to XP."

In superficial ways, it is. In meaningful ways, it is not.

But it's not a desktop system, it is significantly more expensive than an
XP license, and many desktop antivirus programs won't run on it.

Frankly, that is terrible advice.

One reason why OEM installers are probably not good for tech
support on operating systems.

Was this person also offering you a legitimate server license?

I get the error message precisely because I went in and tried to start the
service. The service refuses to start and immediately give the error
message:

"Could not start the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider service on Local
computer." "Error 1053: The Service did not respond to the start or
control
request in a timely fashion."

I also followed another suggested fix from a discussion board about
reinstalling .NET Framework 1.1. This did not make any change. The
service
still won't load.

It may be that it just isn't supported in the XP/MC edition. XP/MC is not
the same as either Home or Pro in various ways, some subtle and others not
so. I can't see any references to this, but if it isn't working, that may
be why.

Would suggest that you consider another backup application that actually
works with the OS that you have.

HTH
-pk