V-79-57344-38320/V-79-57344-38270/V-79-57344-33037 - When attempting to redirect restore a virtual machine (VM) that had an ISO mounted when the VM was backed up the restore may fail with "Error writing file data"

Problem

When attempting to redirect the restore of a virtual machine to a new host and when the virtual machine was backed up it had an ISO attached to the VM.  If the ISO is not available on the new host the restore may fail with one of the following errors.
 

Error Message

0xe00095b0 - The operation failed because the virtual center or ESX server reported a problem performing the operation on the specified datastore.

or

0xe000957e - Unable to create the new virtual machine

OR

0xe000810d - Physical Volume Library Media not found. (Reported with Backup Exec 2012 SP2 and ESX 5.1, may be seen with other combinations)
 

Solution

WORKAROUND 1: (this can be used where you need to restore a system already backed up with a referenced ISO

1) Use the option "Redirect to a Folder" to recover the data to a local folder on the media server
2) Then use VMware "Converter Standalone Client" or similar method to transfer the restored VM back to ESX
- Note: If the original VM has snapshots present then before transferring the VM back to ESX the .VMX file will need editing to ensure that the .VMDK files have the original names, not the snapshot names

WORKAROUND 2: (this will mean no special actions are needed during a restore)

Dismount/detach the ISO attached to the Virtual Machine before the backup. (Note This does not mean just disconnect the DVD device, the reference to the ISO has to be removed from the VMX file that controls the VM, as such, the CD/DVD drive has to be specified as against one of the options that does not use an ISO file)

SOLUTION:

This issue can be resolved by adding the following registry key on the Backup Exec Media Server, and attempting the restore again.

Warning :  Incorrect use of the Windows registry editor may prevent the operating system from functioning properly. Great care should be taken when making changes to a Windows registry. Registry modifications should only be carried-out by persons experienced in the use of the registry editor application. It is recommended that a complete backup of the registry and workstation be made prior to making any registry changes.

Note: if the registry key does not exist it will need to be created.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\veritas\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\VMware Agent

DWORD (32bit): Ignore devices with attached files

VALUE: 1

After the registry key has been created, restart the Backup Exec services on the media server.