Resolving Exchange Server Error ‘unable To Write A Shadowed Header For The File'

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Every database file, log file, checkpoint file in MS Exchange Server comprise of a 4-KB file header. This file header contains its configuration and identification data. Except for log file headers, the rest files namely database *.edb and checkpoint *.chk headers are constantly updated while normal operations.
Besides these file headers, there is one more header known as ‘shadow header' that is identical to primary header, lying next to it. As the name suggests, this shadow header safeguards the primary header while various updates. All the modifications are first made to shadow header page prior to primary header.
Therefore, if somehow a crash occurs before the modifications like write operations could finish, the primary header still remains intact. Shadow header acts like a wind shield to primary header. But some factors can prevent the write operation to be performed to database files, resulting into an Exchange Server error. To resolve the issue, you may need to repair the un-mountable database using ESEUTIL repair utility. You can also go for safe option that is to use Exchange Disaster Recovery ...
... software.
While mounting or using an Exchange database .EDB you may encounter the following error message saying,
Unable to write a shadowed header for the file
This particular error is marked with event 439 in application event log.
Reasons behind this error
The above error suggests an access-denied condition. This is because the shadow page is the first header page that is updated. At this point, the database service stops in order to preserve database integrity. The Exchange database engine is denied to write data to its own .EDB or .CHK files due to one of the possible reasons:
The file is in use by another process. In this case, you usually get -1032 error.
The root folder permissions have been removed.
The file is read-only. It generally occurs with *.chk files.
The drive cannot be accessed because of disk or controller failure.
The root folder of files has been either deleted or renamed.
Solution
You must check the below mentioned steps so that the error could be averted.
Check the application and system log for disk capacity issues and resolve them
Restart the Exchange computers
Check for sufficient disks' access
If database is running, move its mailboxes to another server using Move Mailbox command
If the database cannot mount, consider one of the methods:
Restore from backup
Run eseutil /p and isinteg -fix commands to repair the database. Use ExMerge to a new database
Repair corrupt database .EDB file using Exchange Disaster Recovery tool
One is rest assured if he/she uses Exchange disaster recovery program because it is competent enough to handle the above mentioned error.