Not sure if it's the same for instant client, but I think you can set TNS_ADMIN to point it to the right directory, or check the oracle.key file in your ORACLE_HOME/bin directory and that should direct you to the right area of the registry. There are metalink notes with more details - just search for "oracle.key". Regards, Brandon Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message or attachments hereto. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l