Server2012 Essentials Server Backup set up problem

I recently created a disk pool of 2.5gb via 2 sata HDD's and when I try to assign it to Server Backup duties the process fails. The message I get is that the server backup services are not running so try starting them manualy via services.msc. The services concerned are:Addininfrastructure.svc, Clientfilebackupprovider.svc, Identity.svc and Serverbackup.svc.

However after starting the services (all were set to Auto) via services.msc the problem still remains. The pool is visible via Storage/Hard disks on the dashboard.Has anybody had/solved this problem before?

TIA, Colin