Originally posted by DBA_Lisa
So, if you are not sure whether the db has been updated or not, how do you know the correct version number of the db?
If you are on unix:

$ strings system01.dbf | grep "NLS_RDBMS_VERSION"

NLS_RDBMS_VERSION 8.1.7.2.0 RDBMS version for NLS parameters,

$

Put the correct name of your system tablespace data file in place of "system01.dbf".

I am sure in NT also you can check for the same string "NLS_RDBMS_VERSION" using an utility (no idea what though!).

-amar