Backup Times too long with Acronis 10

This is the first time I've been on a Forum - so bear with me, people! I had installed ACRONIS 9 and I could schedule Full backups and Incrementals - and it all worked. Then my computer got a virus/Trojan (so I was informed) which necessitated wiping the hard drive and doing a clean install of Windows XP. While reinstalling my programs I took the opportunity to purchase Acronis 2010. WRONG MOVE!! - at least for this techno-moron it was. Since 14 June when I actually installed Acronis 2010 I have managed to get ONE full backup - which took over 18 hours!

When I've tried to do an unscheduled Full Backup (like last night) it informed me the time remaining was 1 day 6 hours!! Surely this can't be right? To add to the frustration, I had completed 17 hours overnight, but had to reboot because my Antispyware/Antivirus had detected some threats and.......'needed to reboot to finish the operation'!! Like the idiot I am, I followed their instructions, rebooted - and lost all the backup I was trying so hard to complete!

Can someone put me right - IN WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE - as to what it is I'm doing wrong? I have tried Acronis Help, but the company apparently presupposes that anyone reading their advice understands what it is they're trying to say - unlike me. H-E-L-P!!