Sorry for the short post earlier. I had to get a meeting. We use password files and we do not usually get those issues. my point I was trying to make is: sqlplus /nolog connect / as sysdba and sqlplus '/ as sysdba' will connect to the database indicated by the environment variables ORACLE_SID and/or TWO_TASK whereas sqlplus /nolog connect sys@dbname as sysdba will connect you to the database called dbname (which is not necessarily the database indicated by the ORACLE_SID variable). I get this issue if (for example): ORACLE_SID=oradb1 sqlplus /nolog connect sys@oradb2 as sysdba Enter password: Connected. this connected me as sysdba to oradb2 (which has a password file) SQL> connect / as sysdba ERROR: ORA-01031: insufficient privileges this errored during the connection as sysdba to oradb1 (which does not have a password file) Fred's note does not indicate whether his ORACLE_SID is set to dbname or something else. If it is set to dbname, then the two statements are equal, and there is a problem. If oracle_sid is not dbname, then the issue becomes whether the database that oracle_sid is set to has a password file. Thanks Shannon Shannon St. Dennis Database Administrator City of Regina (306) 777-7415 (phone) (306) 777-6804 (fax) sstdennis@xxxxxxxxx Always remember some people are like slinkies not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs >>> "Powell, Mark D" <mark.powell@xxxxxxx> 17/11/2005 10:36:37 am >>> Shannon, your reply just refers to obvious details that have nothing to do with my question. I wanted to know exactly how Fred got into sqlplus so I could try to see if it makes any difference. Unfortunately I was too terse in my post. Fred has since replied to me that he gets the same error either way be gets into sqlplus and as a developer is going to use the database I was going to setup a password file to use with I will not be able to pursue this. It is too bad work gets in the way of fun. From Fred >> sqlplus /nolog connect / as sysdba and sqlplus '/ as sysdba' << both result in same error Using 9.2.0.6 with no password file I get the following, (expected results): $ sqlplus /nolog SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.6.0 - Production on Thu Nov 17 10:54:15 2005 Copyright (c) 1982, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved. > connect sys@dat1 Enter password: ERROR: ORA-28009: connection to sys should be as sysdba or sysoper > connect sys@ut1 as sysdba Enter password: ERROR: ORA-01031: insufficient privileges > connect / as sysdba Connected. $ sqlplus "/ as sysdba" works fine for me. I will keep an eye on the thread to see if this is expected behavior of some kind or a problem. Shannon, do you use a password file? If so you can try to duplicate Fred's connections and see if you get the same behavior. You could then post your results and Oracle version so the board can determine if this is expected or bug. -- Mark D Powell -- From: Shannon St. Dennis [mailto:SStDennis@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:40 AM To: Powell, Mark D Subject: RE: connect as sysdba ora-1031 The first : SQL> connect sys@dbname as sysdba connects you to dbname as sysdba the second: SQL> connect / as sysdba connects you to the local database (whatever ORACLE_SID is set to) >>> "Powell, Mark D" <mark.powell@xxxxxxx> 17/11/2005 9:30:03 am >>> Fred, you did not list the sqlplus command option which you used. sqlplus /nolog then at the prompt > connect / as sysdba From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Fuad Arshad Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:09 AM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: connect as sysdba ora-1031 We're having this issue which started today and we cant get ot the bottom of it looged in as the oracle owner TWO_TASK is unset SQL> connect sys@dbname as sysdba Enter password: Connected. SQL> connect / as sysdba ERROR: ORA-01031: insufficient privileges Warning: You are no longer connected to ORACLE. now the user i'm using is the oracle software owner password file is not corrupted remote_login_password is also set to exclusive. what steps can i take to further debug this. i"m thinking about oradebug but then since i'm disconnected how would oradebug capture anything . need some advice before i brave the tar and all the same questions with oracle. DISCLAIMER: The information transmitted is intended only for the addressee and may contain confidential, proprietary and/or privileged material. Any unauthorized review, distribution or other use of or the taking of any action in reliance upon this information is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy this message and any copies. DISCLAIMER: The information transmitted is intended only for the addressee and may contain confidential, proprietary and/or privileged material. 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