You can use DFSMSdss to recover VM-format volumes that are accessible to your z/OS® system. The volumes must have OS-compatible VTOCs starting on track zero, record five. DFSMSdss can only retrieve device information from the OS-compatible VTOC, and cannot interpret any VM-specific information on the volume.

Use the CPVOLUME keyword and specify the range of tracks to be restored with the TRACKS keyword. Because DFSMSdss cannot check access authorization for VM data, CPVOLUME is only allowed with the ADMINISTRATOR keyword.

Exercise caution when using DFSMSdss to recover VM-format volumes, because DFSMSdss does not serialize any VM data in any way. If you restore OS-format volumes to VM-format volumes or VM-format volumes to OS-format volumes, you must restore all of the volume’s tracks. Failure to restore all of the tracks may render the volume unusable.