laying new mesquite floor. Pulling up the vinyl that is so old it cracks and leaves patches of fiber backing in large swaths. How do i get the fiber back and glue up. Sanding is my last option. if i can get the paper off the floor scraping will work. glad i started a week out.

Using paint stripper, the kind with methyl choride, will make scraping much easier.

Thanks. Now i find that there is a layer of particle (chip) board over the ply subflr. Is this normal for vinyl? How will this affect the wood floor. Seems to me the staples will not bite well in the particle. Do I now have to remove the particle board as well? This is what i love about projects. You begin with a simple process and end up with six extra steps that weren't there when you started. I'll bet the tile in the bathroom goes the same way.
TA!
jp

You say particle and chip. Is the underlayment particle board or OSB ? If it's particle, your right, it's not recommended to nail or staple over particle board. It is common to sheet out a plywood subfloor for vinyl, using an underlayment grade particle. If this is the case, you wont need to bother with scraping backing. Remove the particle down to the plywood.
I'm assuming it's a kitchen? If so, your going to end up with a better overall height removing the underlayment anyway.

Don't sand that paper backing!!!! If that vinyl is breaking off could be old enough to have an asbestos backing.

Tucson is right, you almost assuredly will be creating asbestos dust in the air in your home by sanding this stuff off. Not good, not good at all.