ORA-12500: TNS:listener failed to start a dedicated server process

[adewri]

change
ORA8.0.3 TNSNAMES.ORA

TEST92 =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 172.18.50.37)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = TEST92)
)
)

to

TEST92 =
(DESCRIPTION =
(ADDRESS_LIST =
(ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = 172.18.50.37)(PORT = 1521))
)
(CONNECT_DATA = (SID = TEST92)
)
)

if you want to use only one listener then

go to the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>ORACLE
create a new string value
TNS_ADMIN and insert $ORACLE_HOME/network/admin as value

where $ORACLE_HOME is 9i home

and stop the 8.0.3 listener...

use 9i sqlplus as it incorporates all 8i sqlplus features and more...