We used the following once with good success : http://www.anysql.net/en/aul.html Documentation is, however, sparse to say the least. Can create files in Oracle 8.1.7 export format to easily import somewhere else. mvg/regards Jo "Fedock, John (KAM.RHQ)" <John.Fedock@xxxx To line.com> <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent by: cc oracle-l-bounce@f reelists.org Subject data extraction from dead database 22-03-06 22:31 Please respond to John.Fedock@xxxxx ine.com If I recall, Oracle has a tool that can read datafiles and assemble the data is some type of useable format, from a crashed database. We have a 8.1.7.4 database that we may need this type of tool for. Can anyone offer any information on this? And, yes the database was backed up nightly, but the tapes were not rotated and checked. Thanks all. John Fedock K Line America, Inc. john.fedock@xxxxxxxxxxxx -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l