sir
first i use this command
$ set def $2$dia1:[000000] ...its ok..

then i use this command
$ sh def ....so the result is...
$2$dia1:[000000] ....then i use this comand...
$dir
then i got this error
%DIRECT-E-OPENIN,error opening $2$dia1:[000000]*.*;* as input
-RMS-E-PRV,insufficient privilege of file protection violation

now plz tell me what should i do to access dist.
ajmal

You obviously doesn't have enough privilege to view the root directory of the disk. I suppose the protection of it will be world:execute. This means that with a standard non-privileged userid, you can't list the contents. But that you can access directories below this one if you have the right to view them. Example : if there is a directory $2$dia1:[jadoon], and you have enough rights to look into it (like when you're the owner of the directory), you can view the contents of it.

So, a general solution for your problem to view this directory, is to use a userid with the more privileges.

Btw this is basic OpenVMS stuff, so it may be good to read some about it. A good start would be :
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/731FINAL/6489/6489pro_009.html#prot_of_dirs

Also note, that the fact that you can "set default" to the directory, doesn't mean much with OpenVMS. You can even set default to non-existing directories !

thanks for ur response
basically two years before different users retrieve data from VAX.they retrieve data from following
disks..
1) D$6:[SABIR]

2) D$9:[SABIR]

now after two years when i use this command

$ show dveice D:
so the system can not show D$6:[sabir] and D$9:[sabir].
its means the disk are not attached with system????.
or some thing else???

the system shows only one disk that is

device name device status error
$2$dia1 mounted 0

plz tell me how i can access
D$:[sabir] and D$9:[sabir] ...both disk...from system

thanks
waiting for ur reply
regards
ajmal