Connected to an idle instance.

[sonofsita]

here is what I understand when Oracle says connected to an idle instance
==============================================================
Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
(C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.


D:\>set oracle_sid=sridevi
-- at this stage there is neither service handler (Oracle executable)
-- nor an instance nor a database
D:\>sqlplus /nolog
SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.5.0 - Production on Wed Jul 21 22:44:16 2004

Copyright (c) 1982, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

SQL> connect sys/sys as sysdba
ERROR:
ORA-12560: TNS : protocol adapter error

-- ora-12560 was spit as there was no service handler
-- listener is up and running.
-- in the absence of service hadler or connect string no check can be done
-- to connect to oracle instance

SQL> connect sys/sys@sridevi as sysdba
ERROR:
ORA-12500: TNS:listener failed to start a dedicated server process

-- even though the connect string has the tns alias which is identifiable
-- as a service for service by listener.
-- The process of starting up a dedicated server process failed.
-- The executable could not be found or
-- the environment may be set up incorrectly
-- in this case the executable is not found as the service handler is not started.
SQL>
-- I started the service for the oracle instance and set the environment and connected
SQL> connect sys/sys@sridevi as sysdba
Connected to an idle instance.
-- So I am connected to Oracle executable which is ready to serve a instance through a dedicated
-- service. but no instance is there
SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.

[OracleDoc]

I take it that you're someone who's just been "thrown" into this job of administrating a database (or just playing with Oracle). Either way, I would advise you to seriously sit down and read up on the basic understandings of Oracle and how it works before you break something. Once you have the basic concepts down (or have your company send you to some classes) then come back here and ask for advise.

When you ask what does connected to an idle instance mean, that's like asking what does "P" stand for on the shifter of a car?

P= Pass
R= Race
N= Nitrous
D= Drag

[DaPi]

Hey OracleDoc, shift into "P" . . . .

I think you posted this in the wrong thread. sonofsita has made a good start on an article I always intended to write: "101 ways to fail to start a database".

[patnams]

People on this board seem to have 101 ways to insult others questions/doubts. OracleDoc, are you always in "R"

[pando]

in windows, you dont need to start any service to start a database

[patnams]

Originally posted by pando
in windows, you dont need to start any service to start a database

You mean Unix?

Don't we need to start OracleServiceMyDB on Windows Server?

[pando]

No

I would like to show you but I uninstalled all my windows Oracle 10 months ago

[patnams]

I have 10g on an NT box, can you indicate me to a direction how it can be done

Thanks
sridhar

[pando]

do to ms-dos

sqlplus / as sysdba

if it says thing like tns errors, set ORACLE_SID=blah, if it still says so go to REGEDIT and add ORACLE_SID in your oracle_home

rgds