IT26917: WINPE SYSTEMSTATE RESTORE STEP FAILS WITH NVRAM ERROR

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• During WinPE full system restore following the instructions in
  IBM DeveloperWorks documentation (see URL below), it can fail
  with insufficient storage space error.
  
  For example:
  
  HPE SmartMemory initialization
  265 - System configuration error. The system configuration has
  exceeded the non-volatile storage capacity of the server system
  and certain settings may be lost. Action: reset system defaults
  and limit boot options.
  
  
  This message is system specific, while other systems might
  exhibit other symptoms. If the NVRAM is full, the bcdedit
  /import command will fail with a general Windows error message.
  
  The store import operation has failed.
  Insufficient NVRAM resources exist to complete the requested
  service. A reboot might be required.
  
  
  During the system state restore process, the client invokes
  "bcdedit /import tsmbcd" command to restore NVRAM. For EFI
  systems, this command adds the entries to the existing EFI
  firmware, which might result in the insufficient storage space
  error. The tsmbcd file is created during the system state backup
  by invoking "bcdedit /export tsmbcd", and included in the system
  state backup.
  
  
  Guidelines for Backup and Recovery of Microsoft Windows Server
  2016 and Microsoft Windows 10
  https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#
  !/wiki/Tivoli%20Storage%20Manager/page/Guidelines%20for%20Backup
  %20and%20Recovery%20of%20Microsoft%20Windows%20Server%202016%20a
  nd%20Microsoft%20Windows%2010
  
  
  Spectrum Protect Versions Affected:
  Spectrum Protect client all versions on Windows platform
  
  
  Initial Impact:
  Medium
  
  
  Additional Keywords:
  Spectrum Protect; client; WinPE; NVRAM; HPE SmartMemory
  initialization; 265 - System configuration error; exceeded the
  non-volatile storage capacity; bcdedit; TS001330492
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * Backup-Archive Client versions 8.1.6.x and earlier which are *
  * used for WinPE system state restores of UEFI-based Windows   *
  * systems                                                      *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * During system state restore, the backup copy of the BCD is   *
  * imported to the BCD store, and the boot options are added to *
  * the existing firmware boot options, possibly leading to      *
  * duplicate boot options entries. Usually this is cosmetic     *
  * only, but in the worst case, the duplicate entries could     *
  * fill the NVRAM, and possibly lead to lost NVRAM entries.     *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply fixing level when available. This problem is currently *
  * projected to be fixed in level 8.1.7. Note that until the    *
  * fix is actually available, this is subject to change at the  *
  * discretion of IBM.                                           *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• The fix for this APAR adds test flag BCDEDIT_CLEAN which, when
  enabled for a system state restore, causes the BCD store's boot
  options to be deleted before restoring the original boot
  options. This prevents the duplicate boot options in the
  firmware menu.
  
  Build a new WinPE restore image using the fixing code level.
  When using the new WinPE image to restore system state, add
  this line to the dsm.opt file before running the
  DSMC RESTORE SYSTEMSTATE command:
  
   TESTFLAGS BCDEDIT_CLEAN
  
  An alternative is to specify the test flag on the DSMC RESTORE
  SYSTEMSTATE command line:
  
   dsmc resstore systemstate -testflags=bcdedit_clean
  
  Typically this setting is not required for a successful restore,
  but it prevents the creation of duplicate boot options in the
  UEFI firmware settings during the system state restore.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros

• dsmc
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TSM CLIENT

• Fixed component ID

  5698ISMCL

Applicable component levels

• R81W PSY

     UP