Backups protect you against the loss of your data and the information that describes your data. If you make unwanted, irreversible changes to a database, you can always return to the most recent backup copy.
Important When backing up your database, you should also create a backup of the system database file, SYSTEM.MDA, which stores the default user options and security account information. If your SYSTEM.MDA file is lost or damaged, you will not be able to start the Messages database. If you do not have a backup of that file, you can copy the SYSTEM.MDA file from the Windows NT Resource Kit floppy disks or CD to your Messages directory.