Ok, first, 'BACKUP VALIDATE' will *not* actually do a backup: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/backup.102/b14193/toc.htm#sthref34 Based on the error you're seeing, you need to put the backup copy into archivelog mode, to be able to successfully do the test. Finally, see here: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/backup.102/b14191/rcmconc1.htm#BRADV115 for details of options that should and should not be set for a full validation. Hope that helps, -Mark -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dba DBA Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 2:43 PM To: ORACLE-L Subject: checking for block corruption I need to run a block corruption test. I have a BCV copy of prod I am running this on. We are not using RMAN for prod backups. I can't change this. DB Version: 10.2.0.5.6 DB Size: 10 TBs files are on raw partitions rman target / backup validate database; if I run this will this actually backup the DB? When I read the docs they seemed to say it would only do a validate check. We have the DB copy in noarchivelog mode. When I ran that command I get: RMAN-03009: failure of backup command on ORA_DISK_1 channel at 05/21/2012 16:05:09 ORA-19602: cannot backup or copy active file in NOARCHIVELOG mode If backup validate only checks for block corruption why does it care if I am in archivelog mode ( i know i can bounce the db or turn it off. I want to make sure I'm not actually taking a backup). -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l