Hi,
In Windows NT/2000 Oracle software runs as a service.Starting/Stopping Oracle services always not means that you are starting or stopping Oracle database.Starting/Stopping the Oracle database when the service starts/stops is regulated by parameter ORA__AUTOSTART and ORA__SHUTDOWN.

ORA__AUTOSTART=TRUE/FALSE .TRUE means that when your machine starts up Oracle database will automatically open.

ORA__SHUTDOWN=TRUE/FALSE .TRUE means that when you shutdown your machine Oracle database will automatically shutdown.The type of shutdown is regulated by the parameter ORA__SHUTDOWNTYPE.The value of (i) means immediate.

Regards,
Rohit Nirkhe,Oracle/Apps DBA,OCP 8i