Depends on your operating system. It is certainly not
recomended.

If the OS will actually allow you to copy, then the copy can
be corrupt.

The method I use on 24/7 systems is to run a backup on the
live database, and then restore to a new file. This gives me
a copy at the time the backup was made, and then I can check
out the copy. I then build a table of information that is
time expired or has a problem, and pump it back to the live
database where I use the table to delete the live records.
All without stopping the main system, and without risk. (
The users cross check the 'bug report' before correcting the
live data which is why I don't do it on line )

--
Lester Caine
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L.S.Caine Electronic Services