Thanks for all your replies. I have tried Allen's solution, it works. The pfile entry in the registry was created by E-Business Suite rapid install, after removing it, the service uses spfile to start the database. I really appreciate your help. From: Allen, Brandon [mailto:Brandon.Allen@xxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:08 PM To: Jiang, Lu; oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Rebboot Windows DB machine and database autostart with spfile I just checked another system - 10.2, and there is no pfile entry in the registry there either, so I think you probably just need to delete your pfile entry.