Abstract: An archive command detects an original storage device density value from the device and changes the device's density to a ROM density required by system ROM to read a bootstrap image. The bootstrap image from the system, as well as the original density value stored in a density file, are then written to the storage media in the ROM density required for system restoration by the IPL. The system then reads its copy of the original density value, changes the storage device parameters to their original value, and writes the desired additional system image or other software to the device media in the original device density. When restoration of the thus-archived bootstrap image or other software is required, during system IPL the system ROM will read the bootstrap file from the media stored in the correct ROM density required by the system ROM.