what does event ID 204 mean when file history backup is being used

Hi Ruth,

This could mean that there is some problem with the File history backup service. In order to know the exact issue, we need to analyze the event logs message. So I would request you to get back to us with the Event logs for this error. Refer to these steps:

1. Go to the Start Screen, type in Event Viewer. This will bring up the Event Viewer tile, Click to open the event viewer.
2. In the left pane, expand out Windows Logs. Click on Application log and highlight the first event in the log and use your arrow keys to scroll down.
3. Locate the event with the event ID 204. Double click on it to bring up the event details. Click on the copy button at the bottom to copy the contents and include the log in your reply.

 

Get back to this with this information for further assistance.

Hi Ben,

I tried all of that but can't seem to see ID 204 anywhere.

Hi Ruth,

 

In this case, try the following steps to access the File history logs:

 

1. Press Windows key + W, type “file history” and select the “File history’ icon with folder icon.
2. The File history window might take a minute to show all the options after searching for connected drives.
3. Click on ‘Advanced settings’ in the left pane.
4. Click on ‘Open File History logs to view recent events or error’ option.
5. Now check if there is any error logs with event ID 204.

 

Copy and paste the error log contents in your reply for further assistance.

Log Name:      Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core
Date:          16/04/2014 12:20:00
Event ID:      204
Task Category: None
Level:         Warning
Keywords:     
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      Ruthlaptop
Description:
Unusual condition was encountered during finalization of a backup cycle for configuration C:\Users\Baberuth\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core" Guid="{B447B4DB-7780-11E0-ADA3-18A90531A85A}" />
    <EventID>204</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x1000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-04-16T11:20:00.801405000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>5</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="624" ThreadID="10556" />
    <Channel>Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog</Channel>
    <Computer>Ruthlaptop</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="Hr">2147746818</Data>
    <Data Name="ConfigFilePath">C:\Users\Baberuth\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Hi!

I have the exact same Event and error on my Surface RT.

Cheers,

Herbert

I too have reported this same problem on my Toshiba laptop with pre-installed Windows 8.1.

Hi Ruth,

In this case, try the following steps to access the File history logs:

1. Press Windows key + W, type “file history” and select the “File history’ icon with folder icon.
2. The File history window might take a minute to show all the options after searching for connected drives.
3. Click on ‘Advanced settings’ in the left pane.
4. Click on ‘Open File History logs to view recent events or error’ option.
5. Now check if there is any error logs with event ID 204.

Copy and paste the error log contents in your reply for further assist

Hi Bennet, I got this too. what should I do?

Log Name:      Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core
Date:          9/5/2014 1:16:23 PM
Event ID:      204
Task Category: None
Level:         Warning
Keywords:     
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      GGuilamoVAIO
Description:
Unusual condition was encountered during finalization of a backup cycle for configuration C:\Users\GustavoA\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core" Guid="{B447B4DB-7780-11E0-ADA3-18A90531A85A}" />
    <EventID>204</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x1000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-09-05T17:16:23.656516100Z" />
    <EventRecordID>229</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="664" ThreadID="7072" />
    <Channel>Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog</Channel>
    <Computer>GGuilamoVAIO</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="Hr">2147746818</Data>
    <Data Name="ConfigFilePath">C:\Users\GustavoA\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Did anyone here come across a solution?  I appreciate

you taking the time to reply.

Thanks.

Hi Mitchell,

Sorry for the delayed response.

We would be able to assist you better if you could brief a bit more about the issue.

Let us know if we could be of any help and we'll be happy to assist you further.

Have a nice day. 

I have the same issue of:

1) difficulty determining if File History is working correctly

2) log errors

Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center

File History of libraries going to NAS on local network with form \\NASname\\shares

Logs show FileHistory-Core
Event ID: 204

Log Name:      Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core
Date:          2015.08.02 11:15:30 AM
Event ID:      204
Task Category: None
Level:         Warning
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      xxxx
Description:
Unusual condition was encountered during finalization of a backup cycle for configuration C:\Users\J\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core" Guid="{B447B4DB-7780-11E0-ADA3-18A90531A85A}" />
    <EventID>204</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x1000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2015-08-02T17:15:30.547556700Z" />
    <EventRecordID>15</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation ActivityID="{1A7FD342-CC7A-0002-D9B7-831A7ACCD001}" />
    <Execution ProcessID="1300" ThreadID="5704" />
    <Channel>Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Engine/BackupLog</Channel>
    <Computer>PCTV</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="Hr">2147746818</Data>
    <Data Name="ConfigFilePath">C:\Users\J\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>