Just to follow up on this thread, we used the guys from www.ora600.nl and they have done a great job. Data is being reloaded as needed. Regards, John Fedock -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Fedock, John (KAM.RHQ) Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 10:10 AM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: data extraction from dead database Thanks to all who have replied. What I have found so far is that Oracle consulting will do it for a 2 day minimum charge and I have also been in touch with the guys at http://www.ora600.nl/ as well. I will let you know the resolution. John -----Original Message----- Fedock, John (KAM.RHQ) wrote: 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