List, I have an 8.1.7.4 OpenVMS server that I export some of the tables from and import them into a RedHat AS2.1u3 9.2.0.5 database. I was getting the IMP-00020 (long column to large for column buffer size) error when I tried the import today. Researching Metalink and trying thier resolutions did not work and I still got the errors. DIRECT,RECORDLENGTH,BUFFER,COMMIT options of different combinations still failed. I have done the export/import combinations on these Oracle versions in the past and all was successful. I ftp'd the files from the OpenVMS server directly to the RedHat server using the BINARY mode. Reading the Metalink forum I noticed ONE small note that a user used to sovle his problem...he ftp'd the files from the server to his pc and then from the pc to another server...PROBLEM SOLVED. This is the normal method I use but today I am trying to eliminate the pc in the middle. I used the server - pc - server method and all is well. Ron ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/ FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html -----------------------------------------------------------------