Ok, when creating my database, I didn't have the right path for my flash_recovery_area. So I downed the instance and changed the pfile parm to where I wanted it. I am not using an spfile. When I go to start it up again, I get this error: ORA-01261: Parameter db_recovery_file_dest destination string cannot be translated ORA-01262: Stat failed on a file destination directory hpux Error: 2: No such file or directory Do I have to create the directory first before I start up? ciao, Brian This email message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or the employee or agent responsible for the delivery of this message to the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of this email message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete this email message from your computer. Thank you. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l