> > Garbage collection true,
> This is probably the reason it is so slow. It does a cleanup work in
> existing database. Try running without it and see what happens.

You were right Milan. Unchecking this option created a backup for a 22
MB file in just a few seconds. And the size of the output.gbk file was
exactly the same as when run with the garbage collection turned on.
In this relatively un-edited database, it appears to be no reason for
running the backup with Garbage collection option turned on ?
Interestingly, the original 22 MB file was compressed to only ~4.5 MB
in the output.gbk. After restoring, the gdb file is now only 9.7 MB in
size - less than half of the original size. Is that normal, expected ?
Thank you once again for the tip.
Mario
BTW: what is the function of the option: "Create Shadow Files" in the
restore ?