Then the database will say these files require media recovery. Then you, the expert DBA that you are, will do an "alter database datafile {filename} end backup;" followed by an "alter database open;" and all will be well. :-) My general approach to bouncing a database that typically takes a long time to shutdown immediate is: 1) shutdown abort 2) startup restrict 3) shutdown immediate BTW, unless I'm mistaken, checkpoints occur automatically at the least every 3 seconds. -Randy _____ From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jared Still Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:43 PM To: andrew.kerber@xxxxxxxxx Cc: robertgfreeman@xxxxxxxxx; oracle-l Subject: Re: Query Database while shutdown in progress On 6/27/07, Andrew Kerber <HYPERLINK "mailto:andrew.kerber@xxxxxxxxx"andrew.kerber@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: What happens if you have datafiles in backup mode and you try and do a startup force? select 'alter database datafile ' || '''' || HYPERLINK "http://f.name"f.name || '''' || ' end backup;' from v$datafile f, v$backup b where b.status = 'ACTIVE' and f.file# = b.file# / run the generated SQL. -- Jared Still Certifiable Oracle DBA and Part Time Perl Evangelist No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.10/873 - Release Date: 6/26/2007 11:54 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.10/873 - Release Date: 6/26/2007 11:54 PM