ORA-01078

If you get an ORA-01078 when trying to open a database, this means there is an invalid value in the database’s parameter file:

 

Oracle 9: sqlplus '/ as sysdba'

 

SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.5.0 - Production on Fri Dec 27 17:21:19 2013

 

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

 

Connected to an idle instance.

 

SQL> startup

ORA-01078: failure in processing system parameters

LRM-00110: syntax error at 'Andrew'

SQL>

 

When this happens, you should normally locate the line concerned in the parameter file, correct it then try again. However, on this occasion, I closed the database and added the invalid value myself. I then started copying the database to another server. The line I added was as follows, right at the start of the parameter file (although you can add it wherever you like):

 

Oracle 9: cat initORCL.ora

Andrew is copying this so it is down.

Etc

db_name=’ORCL’

Etc

Oracle 9:

 

I did this to stop another DBA opening the database by mistake. Once the copy has completed, I will remove the offending line from the parameter file and open the database again.