You can stop SQL Server service before backup and start after

NET STOP MSSQLSERVER
...
NET START MSSQLSERVER

Check also http://berezniker.com/content/pages/visual-foxpro/windows-service-status

>
>I backup my drive (where SQL Server database reside) by copying the entire drive to an external drive. But when I do it, I get message that the sql database file failed to be copied (not exactly these words but something like this). Of course, this is because SQL Server has connection to the database.
>
>Is it possible to temporarily suspend SQL Server connections to the databases? How do you do it?
>
>Thank you.