[Networker] VSS errors - ASRCreateStateFile failed

NetWorker 7.4.2, Win2003 SP2 (both server and client)

Since 7.4.2 does not require a license to use VSS for system state backups 
anymore (according to the release notes), I decided to use VSS to backup a 
client which has Win2003 SP2 installed (i.e., I am not using "VSS:*=off" 
in the "Save Operations").

Problem is, some of the VSS operations are failing:

* admnnik003:VSS ASR DISK:\ AsrCreateStateFile failed - 0x20
* admnnik003:VSS ASR DISK:\ Failed to create the ASR state files
* admnnik003:VSS ASR DISK:\ Automated System Recovery Files - Error saving 
writer Automated System Recovery Files
* admnnik003:VSS ASR DISK:\ Automated System Recovery Files - ERROR: 
Aborting backup of saveset VSS ASR DISK: because of the error with writer 
Automated System Recovery Files.

According to EMC support, this is caused by the OS. Specifically, 
"VSSADMIN LIST WRITERS" lists a number of writers with a state of "[5] 
Waiting for completion":  As such, they tell me to call MS to correct the 
situation, then it should all Just Work (c).

Writer name: 'System Writer' 
   Writer Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220} 
   Writer Instance Id: {b2d9ba06-dccb-4165-b964-b1e75926706c} 
   State: [5] Waiting for completion 
   Last error: No error 

My searches indicate to use the latest SP for Win2003, and I am already 
using SP2. I see mention of a hotfix, but I can't tell if the hotfix has 
already been included in SP2. There are no errors in the Event Log. I 
can't seem to find out how to tell VSS to stop waiting, and go back to a 
"Stable" state. 

Can anyone assist? 

Thanks 

-- 
Michael Leone
Network Administrator, ISM
Philadelphia Housing Authority
2500 Jackson St
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Tel:  215-684-4180
Cell: 215-252-0143
<mailto:michael.leone AT pha.phila DOT gov>
-- 
Michael Leone
Network Administrator, ISM
Philadelphia Housing Authority
2500 Jackson St
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Tel:  215-684-4180
Cell: 215-252-0143
<mailto:michael.leone AT pha.phila DOT gov>

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