i2admin,
I am an HPUX admin as well. I dont know if you got a resolution to this, but I will post anyway...
make_sys_image is typically used for cloning. It does not work the same way as
make_tape_recovery. It is meant more to make additional servers where you manipulate, Install tapes is what it is meant to be used for...
Use make_sys_image to install a server
You stated you want to backup only vg00, then the
make_tape_recovery is what you want.
The best use for
make_sys_image is when you are cloning boxes...
make_tape_recovery is best used for backup and recovery of individual systems... although it can be used for cloning as well, but you will have to modify host specific data, IP, hostname... etc...