2.5 Using VMSKITBLD.COM to Modify a System Disk
On VAX systems, the command procedure SYS$UPDATE:VMSKITBLD.COM
allows you to duplicate system files from an existing system
disk on another disk. (On Alpha systems, procedures similar
to those in the VMSKITBLD.COM procedure are per-
formed by the AXPVMS$PCSI_INSTALL.COM procedure.
See Section 3.1.2 and also the OpenVMS Alpha Version 6.2
Upgrade and Installation Manual .)
The SYS$UPDATE:VMSKITBLD.COM procedure offers the
following options:
For More
Information
Section 2.5.1
COPY Copies the operating system files to an ex-
isting disk without destroying nonsystem
files that are currently on the disk.
Section 2.5.2
ADD Adds a new system root directory to an
existing system disk.
VMSKITBLD uses two disks:
2.5.1 Using VMSKITBLD.COM to Build a New System Disk
At some point, you might want to create a new system disk.
For example, suppose that your existing system disk is an
RA81 disk. If you purchase a larger RA90 disk and want to
use it as your system disk, you could use the VMSKITBLD
BUILD option to build a new system disk on the RA90 disk.
The existing system disk is the source disk. The new disk is
the target disk.
If you want to build your operating system on another disk
and you are not concerned about losing the current contents
of the target disk, use the BUILD option as described in the
following procedure.
How to Perform This Task
1. If the source disk is not the current booted system disk,
boot the operating system from the source disk.
2. Log in to the SYSTEM account.
3. Make sure the disk is spun up and on line. If you are us-
ing a removable disk, you must also place the disk into
the appropriate drive.
4. Enter the following command to invoke VMSKITBLD:
$ @SYS$UPDATE:VMSKITBLD
VMSKITBLD prompts you to choose one of the following
options:
* Operation [BUILD,ADD,COPY]?
5. Enter BUILD and press the Return key.
VMSKITBLD displays messages that either prompt you
for information needed to complete the operation or in-
form you of the procedure's status.
a. In response to the following prompt, enter the name
of the source disk:
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:):
b. In response to the following prompt, enter the top-
level system directory for the source disk:
* Enter SOURCE disk top-level system directory [default = SYS0]:
In most cases, you can choose the default value [SYS0].
c. In response to the following prompt, enter the name
of the target disk:
* Enter TARGET disk name (ddcu:):
d. In response to the following prompt, enter the volume
label of the target disk:
* Enter the TARGET disk's label [default = VAXVMSRL5]:
e. In response to the following prompt, enter the top-
level system directory:
* Enter TARGET disk top-level system directory [default = SYS0]:
In most cases, you can choose the default value [SYS0].
f. The procedure displays the following message to warn
you that the target disk will be initialized and to allow
you to stop the procedure:
The target disk will be initialized.
* Target disk, _DUA0:, ready to be initialized? (Y/N): Y
Make sure it is safe to destroy the contents of the
target disk, and enter Y to continue.
When the system displays the dollar sign ( $ ) prompt,
the system disk is built. VMSKITBLD automatically dis-
mounts the target disk. At this point, the target disk
contains all the operating system files required for a
complete system.
6. Complete the system disk by creating a rights database
and network proxy database and configuring the system
with appropriate system parameters. For instructions, see
Section 2.5.1.1.
7. To use the new system disk, reboot the system with the
new system disk.
Example
The following example runs VMSKITBLD.COM to build a
new system disk. It copies the files on the current system
disk to create a new system disk on the DUA0: disk.
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:): SYS$SYSDEVICE:
* Enter SOURCE disk top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
Return
Return
Return
Return
The target disk will be initialized.
* Target disk, _DUA0:, ready to be initialized? (Y/N): Y
Target disk, _DUA0:, has been initialized.
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, VAXVMSRL5 mounted on _DUA0:
Creating system specific directories ...
Creating cluster common directories ...
Creating SYSGEN files ...
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _DUA0:<SYS0.SYSEXE>SWAPFILE.SYS;1 created
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _DUA0:<SYS0.SYSEXE>PAGEFILE.SYS;1 created
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _DUA0:<SYS0.SYSEXE>SYSDUMP.DMP;1 created
Copying files from source disk ...
Copying DECwindows file from source disk ...
Writing a boot block ...
System disk complete.
$
2.5.1.1 Completing a System Disk Built with VMSKITBLD.COM
After you create a new system disk using the VMSKITBLD
BUILD option, use the following procedure to complete the
new system disk:
1. Boot the new system disk using a conversational boot. For
instructions, see the upgrade and installation supplement
for your computer.
2. When the SYSBOOT> prompt appears, enter the USE
DEFAULT command to boot with default values for all
system parameters.
3. Enter the CONTINUE command to continue booting.
4. After the system boots, log in to the SYSTEM account.
The password for the system account will be the de-
fault password, MANAGER. Make sure you change this
password.
5. Use the Authorize utility to create a rights database and
a network proxy database. For more information, see the
OpenVMS Guide to System Security .
6. Run AUTOGEN from the SAVPARAMS phase to set ap-
propriate values for system parameters. Be sure to specify
the CHECK_FEEDBACK option. See Section 14.5 and the
AUTOGEN section of the OpenVMS System Management
Utilities Reference Manual for detailed information on
running AUTOGEN.
To reboot from the former system disk, specify REBOOT
as the end phase when invoking AUTOGEN.
To reboot the system from the new system disk, spec-
ify SHUTDOWN as the end phase and reboot manually,
specifying the new system disk.
Example
SYSBOOT> USE DEFAULT
SYSBOOT> CONTINUE
.
.
.
$ SET DEFAULT SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE]
$ RUN AUTHORIZE
UAF> CREATE/RIGHTS
UAF> CREATE/PROXY
UAF> EXIT
$ @SYS$UPDATE:AUTOGEN SAVPARAMS REBOOT CHECK_FEEDBACK
.
.
.
2.5.2 Using VMSKITBLD.COM to Copy System Files to an
Existing Disk
You can use VMSKITBLD to copy the operating system files
to a target disk without deleting the files already existing
on the target disk. For example, if you accidentally delete a
large number of system files from a system disk, you can use
VMSKITBLD to copy the system files from another system
disk.
To do this, the operating system must be running and the
source disk that you intend to copy from must be mounted.
When you use the COPY option of VMSKITBLD.COM,
the user-modified files (including SYSUAF.DAT and site-
specific command files) are not copied from the source disk;
VMSKITBLD uses the unaltered TEMPLATE versions of
these files. In addition, the procedure does not create the
system-specific files SWAPFILE.SYS, PAGEFILE.SYS, or
SYSDUMP.DMP.
Before VMSKITBLD copies each new system file, it deletes
the older version of the file from the target disk.
How to Perform This Task
1. Log in to the SYSTEM account.
2. Place the target disk into the appropriate drive.
3. Note the device name of the target disk.
4. Enter the following command to invoke VMSKITBLD:
$ @SYS$UPDATE:VMSKITBLD
VMSKITBLD prompts you to choose one of the following
options:
Operation [BUILD,ADD,COPY]?
5. Enter COPY and press the Return key.
VMSKITBLD displays messages that either prompt you
for information needed to complete the copy operation or
inform you of the procedure's status.
a. In response to the following prompt, enter the name
of the source disk.
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:):
b. In response to the following prompt, enter the top-
level system directory for the source disk:
* Enter SOURCE disk top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
In most cases, you can choose the default value [SYS0].
c. In response to the following prompt, enter the name
of the target disk:
* Enter TARGET disk name (ddcu:):
d. In response to the following prompt, enter the top-
level system directory:
* Enter TARGET disk top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
In most cases, you can choose the default value
[SYS0].
When the system displays the dollar sign ( $ ) prompt, the
files have been copied and the system disk is complete.
VMSKITBLD automatically dismounts the target disk.
Example
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:): SYS$SYSDEVICE:
* Enter SOURCE top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
Return
Return
Return
%DCL-I-ALLOC, _DUA0: allocated
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, VAXVMSRL5 mounted on _DUA0:
Copying files from source disk ...
Copying DECwindows files from source disk ...
Writing a boot block ...
System disk complete.
$
2.5.3 Using VMSKITBLD.COM to Add an Alternate System
Root Directory
Use the ADD option to create an alternate system root di-
rectory on a target system disk. You might use this option
to create a test environment where you can test software
without interfering with the current version of the system.
The system disk that you are adding to cannot be in use.
The ADD option creates only new specific root directories.
The current common directory is linked to the new root.
How to Perform This Task
1. Log in to the SYSTEM account.
2. Check the number of free blocks on the system disk
to make sure you have adequate space for the new
files, including SWAPFILE.SYS, PAGEFILE.SYS, and
SYSDUMP.DMP. The sizes of these files are deter-
mined by the type of computer you use. For information
on calculating size for page, swap, and dump files, see
Section 15.4.
3. Make sure the target system disk is dismounted and on
line.
4. Enter the following command to invoke VMSKITBLD:
$ @SYS$UPDATE:VMSKITBLD
VMSKITBLD prompts you to choose one of the following
options:
Operation [BUILD,ADD,COPY]?
5. Enter ADD and press the Return key.
VMSKITBLD displays messages that either prompt you
for information needed to complete the operation or in-
form you of the procedure's status.
a. In response to the following prompt, enter SYS$SYSDEVICE
and press Return:
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:):
b. In response to the following prompt, press Return to
choose the default:
* Enter SOURCE disk top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
c. In response to the following prompt, enter the name
of the target disk:
* Enter TARGET disk name (ddcu:):
d. In response to the following prompt, enter the new
root directory specification.
* Enter TARGET disk top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
Do not specify directories SYSE or SYSF:
When the system displays the dollar sign ( $ ) prompt, the
target system directory contains the new system root di-
rectory. VMSKITBLD automatically dismounts the target
disk.
6. Configure the new system root by booting the tar-
get disk and running AUTOGEN. For instructions, see
Section 2.5.3.1.
Example
The following example adds an alternate system root direc-
tory named SYSA on the target disk SHEMP$DUA5:
* Enter mounted SOURCE disk name (ddcu:): SYS$SYSDEVICE:
* Enter SOURCE top level system directory [default = SYS0]:
RETURN
RETURN
RETURN
%DCL-I-ALLOC, _SHEMP$DUA5: allocated
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, VAXVMSRL5 mounted on _SHEMP$DUA5:
Creating system specific directories ...
Creating SYSGEN files ...
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _SHEMP$DUA5:<SYSA.SYSEXE>SWAPFILE.SYS;1 created
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _SHEMP$DUA5:<SYSA.SYSEXE>PAGEFILE.SYS;1 created
%SYSGEN-I-CREATED, _SHEMP$DUA5:<SYSA.SYSEXE>SYSDUMP.DMP;1 created
System disk complete.
$
2.5.3.1 Configuring a System Root Added with VMSKITBLD
After you use VMSKITBLD to add an alternate system root
directory to a system disk, you must configure system pa-
rameters for the new root. Perform the following steps:
1. Shut down the system and halt your computer. For in-
structions on shutting down your system, see Section 4.8.1.
2. Perform a conversational boot, as described in the up-
grade and installation supplement for your computer.
3. When the conversational boot prompt (SYSBOOT>) ap-
pears, enter the following commands:
SYSBOOT> USE DEFAULT
SYSBOOT> CONTINUE
4. After the system boots, log in to the SYSTEM account and
execute AUTOGEN from the SAVPARAMS phase to set
appropriate values for system parameters.
To reboot from the former root, specify REBOOT as the
end phase when invoking AUTOGEN.
To reboot from the new root directory, specify SHUTDOWN
as the AUTOGEN end phase, and reboot manually.
See Section 14.5 and the OpenVMS System Management
Utilities Reference Manual (AUTOGEN) for detailed
information on AUTOGEN.
Example
SYSBOOT> USE DEFAULT
SYSBOOT> CONTINUE
.
.
.
$ @SYS$UPDATE:AUTOGEN SAVPARAMS REBOOT CHECK_FEEDBACK
.
.
.
.