You can still start it from service panel. Go to service panel, right click on OracleserviceSID and click on start. For oradim sysntax you have to refer to manual or google it. Regards Rafiq Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:57:03 +0530 Subject: I have question about starting database on Windows From: harshan.eppuram@xxxxxxxxx To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi All, I am newbie on windows. I am entering following command on dos command prompt oradim -startup -sid TEST –usrpwd manager -starttype SRVC,INST -pfile E:\app\Administrator\product\11.1.0\db1\database\initTEST.ora and I am getting following error DIM-00003: An argument is missing for the parameter. I recently took out autostart of oracle from windows and now trying restart manually. Any pointers would be helpful. Cheers Harshan -- Harshan Eppurath 040-40214832 09392426435 _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Discover 10 secrets about the new Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!7540.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_ugc_post_022009