If you 'alter system checkpoint' before the 'shutdown abort' then it should be a lot faster for the user with a hanging or prolonged 'shutdown immediate'. Jeremiah Wilton ORA-600 Consulting Recoveries - Seminars - Hiring http://www.ora-600.net -----Original Message----- From: Edgar Chupit The easiest way would be shutdown abort; startup restrict; shutdown immediate; In fact I have suspicion that this three step process will not be much faster than a simple shutdown immediate. <...snip> -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l