1. What it is:

   FLORIAN is a comfortable undelete tool for files on VAX-VMS Files-11
   Structure Level 2 disk volumes. More information is included in the
   image itself. Type MC SYS$DISK:[]FLORIAN .

2. How it works: (understanding FLORIAN's output)

   FLORIAN scans the INDEXF.SYS for undeleteable fileheaders. For each such
   file, which matches the filename specified in the FLORIAN commandline,
   user confirmation is requested (allowed answers can be displayed with
   MC FLORIAN). As soon as the user has answered, the volume is locked.
   Then the fileheader is read once again. If it has changed (because that
   deleted header was used again in the meantime), the undeletion request
   is rejected. Such files account to the line "undeletion requests
   rejected". Mostly no rejection will occurr.
   If not all extensions of a fileheader are undeleteable (relevant only
   for multiblock header files), FLORIAN undeletes what he can. Such files
   account to the line "files partially prepared for undeletion".
   All other files account to the line "files succesfully prepared for
   undeletion".

   After the fileheader is modified, the volume is unlocked and user
   confirmation for the next undeleteable file is requested.

3. After running FLORIAN:

   you must execute ANALYZE/DISK/REPAIR !

   The errors
   %ANALDISK-W-ALLOCSET, blocks incorrectly marked free
   %ANALDISK-W-LOSTHEADER, file not found in a directory
   are fine, and must appear for successfull undeletion. However, there is
   NO GUARANTEE, that the files were successfully undeleted. The blocks
   might have been allocated and freed by another file in the meantime,
   thus the undeleted file contains wrong data.

   The error
   %ANALDISK-W-MULTALLOC, multiply allocated blocks
   is less fine: copy the undeleted files from the [SYSLOST] directory.
   Then delete the [SYSLOST]* files, and execute ANALYZE/DISK/REPAIR again.
   So the files, which regularilly allocated the blocks get them back. Then
   check the undeleted and copied files. Sometimes they will contain most
   of the required data :-) sometimes they will not :-(

4. Restrictions:

   - DFS: files served via DFS cannot be undeleted. This is because of the
     nature of DFS.
   - Volume set: A volume set requires special processing, which is not
     implemented.
     In a volume set only files residing on a single volume can
     successfully be undeleted (Especially singleblock header files can
     successfully be undeleted, even in a volume set). Files residing on
     several volumes can only be undeleted partially. 

   However, FLORIAN fully supports local disks, MSCP served disks, DAD disks, 
   shadow sets, stripe sets.

5. Known error:

   ANALYZE/DISK/REPAIR does not update the "Free Blocks" field of the
   Volume Control Block.
   Thus, if you have succesfully undeleted some files, SHOW DEVICE displays
   too much "Free Blocks".
   DISMOUNT and reMOUNT the disk to correct the problem.

6. The chance for successfull undeletions is the greater, the less traffic
   there is on the disk, and the earlier after deletion you start FLORIAN.
   Don't keep off from using FLORIAN because of the many "chance for success",
   "no guarantee" etc. Simply try it ! You only can win, and get back your
   file. And normally you WILL get it !

7. Problems, suggestions, comments (satisfied or not etc.) are welcome at
   gsa@magwien.gv.at .