Have you tried using sqlplus w/o using the tnsfile? From cmd prompt: Sqlplus username/pass@(description=(address=(host=localhost)(port=1521)(protocol=tcp ))(connect_data=(service_name=bjork4))) If this method doesn't work, then TNS is not the issue. -- Ted -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of bill thater Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 2:34 PM To: oracle-l Subject: windows question windows server 2000 oracle 8.1.7.4 onr local DNS doesn't seem to resolve some host names, so i changed the stanzas in tnsnames.ora to use the IP numbers. this works fine on my XP workstation and i can tnsping and/or sign on with no problems. but on the server it still won't resolve the the service name. the sqlnet.ora file has names.directory_path (tnsnames) so what did i break *this* time? what am i missing? -- -- Bill "Shrek" Thater ORACLE DBA shrekdba@xxxxxxxxx ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "He's one who knows that life is just a leap of faith, so spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape." -- "The Cape" -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l