Are these two the same? Why does startup appear to work the same? In other words I could have a start 'all' script without making exceptions for the READ ONLY standby database? What is making it start this way automatically. (which is fine if it is correct). Startup nomount alter database mount standby database; alter database open read onlyl; select open mode from v$database; READ ONLY shutdown immediate startup select open mode from v$database; READ ONLY Joel Patterson Database Administrator joel.patterson@xxxxxxxxxxx x72546 904 727-2546