MS NTBackup does not interact with the OS or other programs like Exchange to lock files or start and stop services. Remember, we are talking about a database file. Remember, NTBackup in Windows 2000 is a Lite version of Veritas backup that is only meant to provide basic functions. The online backup you see reference to is from within Exchange. It is not from within NTBackup. John Tolmachoff MCSE, CSSA IT Manager, Network Engineer RelianceSoft, Inc. Fullerton, CA 92835 www.reliancesoft.com -----Original Message----- From: Gene O'Brien [mailto:Gene@xxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 5:29 AM To: [ExchangeList] Subject: [exchangelist] RE: Ntbackup/ Exchange 5.5/ Win 2000 Questions http://www.MSExchange.org/ Maybe i'm misunderstanding what i've read from Microsoft - but i thought that ntbackup on an Exchange server was supposed to be able to do online backups. No need to stop the Exchange server or services. Did I understand incorrectly, or am I just not doing it right? -Gene