ERROR: Ora-1031. Can't Connect.

[gtcol]

Hi all,
I'm caught up in a strange situation here. I have had this test DB server in my laptop since one year. But I didn't start it since 3 months as another test server was available in my workplace.
Now when I try to connect to it using Sql*Plus and run it again, it keeps saying:

ERROR:
ORA-1031: insufficient privileges

I am on Win2K XP Pro, Oracle 9iR2, Sqlplus

tnsnames.ora entry
GTDB=
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = GT-LAP)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA =
(SERVICE_NAME = GTDB)
)
)

Any advice or hints is highly appreciated.

Thanks,

[davey23uk]

you username isnt in the ORA_DBA group

[gtcol]

Thanks Dave,
I found my login was not included in the Ora_Dba group and also I was missing the pwdfile, which I've created now. I can connect to the instance now. However, it is still not allowing me to start the DB. Throws out same error message when I do Startup. Please advise.

Thanking you once again,

[gtcol]

Hi all,
I am still waiting for your advice. I ain't still able to start my DB. Pleaseeeee advise.

Thanks

[PAVB]

Set you ORACLE_HOME and ORACLE_SID, then
sqlplus /nolog
conn sys as sysdba
startup force

Please post whole session log.

[gtcol]

Hi PAVB,
I did set ORACLE_SID and ORACLE_HOME and connected to the instance. But still I can't start the DB.

C:\>set oracle_sid=gtdb

C:\>set oracle_home=e:\oracle

C:\>sqlplus /nolog

SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.1.0 - Production on Fri Oct 12 16:36:56 2007

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

SQL> conn sys as sysdba;
Enter password:
Connected to an idle instance.
SQL> startup force
ORA-01031: insufficient privileges
SQL>

And also, it is not generating any UDUMP or BDUMP logs in its folders. What could be other possible reason for it to not allow me to start the DB?

Thanks,

[gtcol]

Hi all,
I started the DB with PFILE this time and it started without any problem. And then I recreated spfile and shutdown the DB. I again started the DB with spfile and it started the DB without any problem this time. So, it makes me think that my earlier spfile was corrupted.
Thanks to all for your suggestions.