Great :-) If you want speed, you need an Alpha, not a VAX :-) There could be all sorts of stuff in the startup file (SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM) that you don't need. Going back to an earlier version of VMS should help too - V7.3 probably has all sorts of stuff that is more appropriate on a later, faster VAX. You can get a free hobbyist license if you join whatever DECUS is called now. It will allow SYSTEM to login on the console without a license. You can't. Just halt it or turn it off. VMS won't mind. None of that sync / fsck stuff required. The filing system is already consistent (that's one of the reasons it's boots so slow...) If you look for a copy of the VMS FAQ on the net, there should be a section on how to reset passwords. Here's a quick summary of one method: Go back to your conversational boot but this time enter: SET VAXCLUSTER 0 SET /STARTUP OPA0: SET WRITESYSPARAMS 0 CONTINUE When you get a $ prompt, enter (carefully, without any typos or you get to start all over again): SET NOON SPAWN /NOWAIT SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP.COM When the startup finishes, press enter again and you should get back to your $ prompt. SET DEFAULT SYS$SYSTEM RUN AUTHORIZE MODIFY SYSTEM /PASSWORD=<new password> /NOPWDEXP /NOPWDLIFE EXIT LOGOUT Then login in. When you want to shut down gracefully: @SYS$SYSTEM:SHUTDOWN Regards, Peter Coghlan.