OpenVMS System Messages

This document is a technical guide for the OpenVMS operating system, specifically focusing on the Help Message (MSGHLP) utility. It is intended to help users understand system message formats, retrieve message documentation from the DCL prompt, and perform recovery procedures for typical error conditions.

Key topics covered in the document include:

• System Message Format: An explanation of the standard format used by OpenVMS error messages, including facility names, severity levels, and identifiers.
• Help Message Utility (MSGHLP): A detailed guide on using the HELP/MESSAGE command, including various qualifiers like /FACILITY, /LIBRARY, and /STATUS to refine searches for message descriptions.
• Database Customization: Instructions for system managers and users on how to create, modify, add to, or delete messages from the Help Message database using .MSGHLP and .MSGHLP$DATA files.
• Recovery Procedures: Guidance on recovering from command entry errors, handling unavailable resources, managing programming errors, and reporting system software or hardware issues.
• Message Descriptions: A comprehensive, alphabetically ordered list of specific system messages for various facilities (e.g., BACKUP, BUGCHECK, INSTALL, MOUNT, SYSGEN), including explanations of what caused each error and recommended user actions.