Thanks for all the responses. Apparently I can do this without the backup controlfile (Props to Mark Bobak) as I am not restoring the controlfile. Thanks to all who responded with the correct 'until time' syntax. It is indeed 'yyyy-mm-dd:hh24:mi:ss' without the to_date. Chris Taylor Sr. Oracle DBA Ingram Barge Company Nashville, TN 37205 Office: 615-517-3355 Cell: 615-354-4799 Email: chris.taylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ________________________________ From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Taylor, Chris David Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 1:28 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: URGENT 8.1.7 recovery question I neglected to mention that I will replace the controlfiles (correct?) With the ones from the backup. Seems like I have to a 'recover database using backup controlfile until time to_date('01/14/2008 12:31:00','MM/DD/YYYY HH24:MI:SS'); But that seems an abnormally long command. A little help? :-) Chris Taylor Sr. Oracle DBA Ingram Barge Company Nashville, TN 37205 Office: 615-517-3355 Cell: 615-354-4799 Email: chris.taylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ________________________________ From: Taylor, Chris David Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 1:21 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: URGENT 8.1.7 recovery question Ok, guys and gals. I just lost an 8.1.7.4 db that doesn't use RMAN. I have totally forgotten how to recover {until time} a db that doesn't use RMAN. I'm restoring the DB files and the archivelog files and want to recover until 12:30 PM CST. Help me remember the recovery process if you will. I think its: SQL> Startup mount; SQL> recover database until time to_date('01/14/2008 12:31:00','MM/DD/YYYY HH24:MI:SS'); SQL> alter database open resetlogs; Is that right?? Chris Taylor Sr. Oracle DBA Ingram Barge Company Nashville, TN 37205 Office: 615-517-3355 Cell: 615-354-4799 Email: chris.taylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx