SharePoint Backup Failing
We recently had a problem with automated SharePoint Portal Server backups bailing. Thankfully an error was dropped to the event log:
Event Type: Error Event Source: SharePoint Portal Server Backup Event Category: None Event ID: 0 Date: 1/28/2006 Time: 2:10:32 AM User: N/A Computer: NEXUS Description: The operatin described below currently has exclusive write-access to the SharePoint central database, therefore the task you're attempting cannot run at this time. Operation: Backing Up SharePoint Portal Server Components Current Action: Backup in Progress Start Time: 1/26/2006 9:42:38 AM Percent Completed: 40%
A quick search of EventID.net turned up the solution. Apparently a previous backup had bailed and held a lock on the SQL database. The solution is to manually run the SPS Backup and Restore GUI and initiate a backup. When you start the backup you’ll be warned of a previously stalled backup and given the option to abort it. Upon which you should be back in business.