Acronis True Image: Backup fails if Act! software product is misconfigured

Symptom

All conditions must be true:

1. Act! software and Microsoft SQL Server are installed
2. Acronis True Image does not create a backup. If you click the red exclamation mark at the center of the backup screen, the following error message is displayed:
1. Entire PC and disk/partition backups: Unable to create volume snapshot
2. File and folder backup: Failed to backup file or folder
3. The last modified log file at C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Logs\ti_demon contains the following text: VSS writer 'SqlServerWriter' with class ID 'A65FAA63-5EA8-4EBC-9DBD-A0C4DB26912A' has failed to process the snapshot

Cause

Incorrectly configured Microsoft SQL Server, that comes with Act! software

Solution

Change SQL Server(ACT7) service user to Local Service by following the steps below:

1. Open the Windows Start menu, type compmgmt.msc and press Enter on the keyboard
2. Expand Services and Applications​ on the left panel
3. Click on SQL Server Configuration Manager
4. Locate SQL Server (ACT7).
5. Change the service logon from Local System to Local Service:

• Right-click on the SQL Server (ACT7) and select Properties
• On the Log on tab, select Local Service in the Built-in account drop-down menu, then click OK

Verify that the column "Log On As" displays "NT AUTHORITY\LocalService" for "SQL Server (ACT7)" line as shown below: