/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb SET, AUDIT, Qualifiers, /FAILURE_MODE  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

       /FAILURE_MODE[=keyword]

    This qualifier is obsolete.

    On Alpha, specifies how the OpenVMS system proceeds following
    a failed attempt to write a security alarm to the operator
    communication process's (OPCOM's) mailbox. Specify one of the
    following keywords with the /FAILURE_MODE qualifier:

    Option Description

    CRASH  Forces a system failure if security alarms cannot be
           written.

    IGNORE Indicates that failing security alarms are to be ignored.
           The first failed alarm causes an error message to be
           written to the operator console and log file. The system
           maintains a count of the lost alarms, which can be
           displayed with the SHOW AUDIT command.

    WAIT   Indicates that processes are placed in the MWAIT state to
           wait until the resource is available. This is the default.

    The /ALARM qualifier is required when specifying an audit failure
    mode.