This error and the resolution is documented in the online vBackup documentation available at the following URL:
http://www.thinware.net/Products/Thin...
Error:
Backup process hangs at: Retrieving virtual machine ID...
Resolution:
Certain special characters, if used in host server passwords, cause problems with instruction calls in backup and restore processes.
To resolve this issue avoid the following special characters in host server passwords.
/ \ ^ & | " < > SPACE
Hope this helps!