May be you're using the sh shell, you have to do it this way: $ ps PID TTY TIME CMD 4433 pts/2 0:00 ksh <-- korn shell $ sh <-- may be you're using bourne shell $ ps PID TTY TIME CMD 4433 pts/2 0:00 ksh 4562 pts/2 0:00 sh <-- bourne shell $ export ORACLE_SID=admdevs4 ORACLE_SID=admdevs4: is not an identifier <-- the error you get! $ ORACLE_SID=admdevs4; export ORACLE_SID <-- correct sh syntax $ echo $ORACLE_SID admdevs4 HTH Dimitre Radoulov ----- Original Message ----- From: Chirag DBA To: Kurth, Michael J. Cc: Oracle-L Freelists ; askdba@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 10:40 PM Subject: [askdba] Re: oracle sid What m I missing? $ echo $ORACLE_SID admdev $ ps -ef|grep pmon oracle 10469 1 0 Sep 02 ? 0:00 ora_pmon_admdev oracle 10591 1 0 Sep 01 ? 0:00 ora_pmon_admdevs4 --> Another pmon process oracle 2690 27665 0 16:36:54 pts/11 0:00 grep pmon $ export ORACLE_SID=admdevs4 ORACLE_SID=admdevs4: is not an identifier $ export ORACLE_SID admdevs4 $ echo $ORACLE_SID admdev Is this Strange or Im missing something? I know there is a second case. but what.. Regards - Chirag On 9/7/05, Kurth, Michael J. <mkurth@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: export ORACLE_SID=xxx Mike Kurth Senior Oracle DBA Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc. 400 West River Woods Parkway Glendale, Wisconsin 53212 414/465-4046 Phone mkurth@xxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chirag DBA Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 3:23 PM To: Oracle-L Freelists; askdba@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: oracle sid How will you change the ORACLE_SID in UNIX? export ORACLE_SID temp2 echo $ORACLE_SID temp What I m missing? Regards - Chirag Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this message. The information contained in this message is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above and their co-workers who are working on the same matter. The recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing the information to any other party unless this disclosure has been authorized in advance. If you are not intended recipient of this message or any agent responsible for delivery of the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. You should immediately destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply E-Mail. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to Internet E-Mail for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.