Does anyone know what files pertaining to Exchange 2000 are naturally skipped by NTBACKUP when a complete backup of all files is done. I have system state and Exchange IS selected. IS is backing up successfully, but when it goes to the directory and tries to backup files individually it encounters them as open and thus reports in the log as skipped. I do a verify and both system state and IS report no errors. When is the MTA backed up in this and when is the .stm files backed up as thses show "in use" and are skipped. Also when are the log files being backed up? Are these part of the IS? I think DS is backed up in the system state since it is AD, isn't it? Thanks for your help. I need to be prepared in the event our Exchange goes south.