Arthur, this may happen if you have another backup task already running.

However, it can also happen if Microsoft Volume Shadow Service (VSS) is not functioning properly or cannot start for a backup task - which I suspect is the issue.   The work-a-round is to disable VSS so that Acronis then only uses it's proprietary snapapi backup method.  This is fine for all backups, unless you are backing up an Oracle or SQL database which is actively running.

1) 3) You can manually edit the backup task and then it will only use the snapapi backup method: https://forum.acronis.com/forum/45832#comment-346558

2) You can manually disable VSS in computer management/services, run the backup in Acronis and then manually start the servie

3) You can automate the same process in Acronis with pre and post commands:  http://www.lymans.net/2016/03/fixing-acronis-true-image-2016-hang-backup/

Thanks for the quick response.

CASE IS CLOSED

The system resolved itself somehow.

I was able to do the backup.

I am going to look at the sites that were sent to me and do what you said.

Thanks again,

Art

Good deal.  If the backup is working with VSS now, I'd leave it as is. If this comes back or continues to be an issue, then go ahead and disable VSS temporarily for Acronis Backups.  Both should be fine, either way, but best to let it use the default backup method if things are working ok. 

Thanks again for your response.

To be honest, I don't even know what VSS is.

Art

Bascially, it's Microsoft's tool for allowing files/folders to be backed up while they are in use - even the locked ones that are required for the OS to run while the backup is occurring.  Essentially, it makes a snapshot of the system at the point in time that the backup starts and then backs up those files instead of the actual files themselves.

Volume Shadow Copy Service Overview

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it and will look into VSS.

Art