How to get 64-bit install and 32-bit client to work on 1 pc

Question

I have installed a full 64-bit 11g R2 install on my Windows 7 D: drive, installed two DB's, worked great. Then I realized application I need to support requires 32-bit client (for drivers) so I installed the 11g client also.
My problem is that my registry only shows one ORACLE_HOME--the 64-bit full install whereas Cognos reqs to point to 32-bit client.
Sqlplus in 64-bit works fine (D:\oracle\app\dock\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1\BIN\sqlplus.exe) whereas the 32-bit client sqlplus (D:\oracle\client\app\dock\product\11.2.0\client_1\BIN\sqlplus.exe) does not work. The error is:
ORA-12560: TNS:protocol adapter error
If I open cmd prompt and navigate to 32-bit sqlplus under client this WILL work to login (but then I noticed it was using the 64-bit ORACLE_HOME and PATH settings if I typed set). In order to fix Cognos, I changed my ORACLE_HOME and path to point to the 32-bit client (i.e. from D:\oracle\app\dock\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1 to
ORACLE_HOME = D:\oracle\client\app\dock\product\11.2.0\client_1
PATH = D:\oracle\client\app\dock\product\11.2.0\client_1\bin;C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\PhysX\Common;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\syswow64;C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\WirelessCommon\
Guess what? This stopped both the 64-bit and 32-bit sqlplus from working, even after bouncing the computer. Now the listener (64-bit) OracleOraDb11g_home1TNSListener will also not start either.
Sooooo, I think I need to set the OH and PATH back to the 64-bit as that is what the Listener requires but any ideas how to get the 32-bit sqlplus to also work?!?
Thanks in advance for any help!

Answer 1

lo**** wrote:
My problem is that my registry only shows one ORACLE_HOME--the 64-bit full install whereas Cognos reqs to point to 32-bit client. The env/reg variables probably do exist/show, only in the right place. In Win 64-bit, there's a separate branch of reg entries for 32-bit (look for WoW6432Node).
>
... whereas the 32-bit client sqlplus (D:\oracle\client\app\dock\product\11.2.0\client_1\BIN\sqlplus.exe) does not work. The error is:
ORA-12560: TNS:protocol adapter errorIt works as expected. Since there is no Oracle instance in the Client home (no surprise), you can't connect "locally" from the 32-bit sqlplus. I.e. you need to use "...@connectident" in the connect string.
In order to fix Cognos, I changed my ORACLE_HOME and path to point to the 32-bit client (i.e. from D:\oracle\app\dock\product\11.2.0\dbhome_1 toOn Windows platform, ORACLE_HOME should not be set by user (it is already set by installer, in the Registry).
To pick up proper settings, PATH need to be set or used.
>
Sooooo, I think I need to set the OH and PATH back to the 64-bit as that is what the Listener requires but any ideas how to get the 32-bit sqlplus to also work?!?Please remove OH from env system settings.
Multiple homes on Windows is often a source of problems, since extra consideration and setup is needed more than just installing the software.
If "Cognos" relies on system PATH, then one way to go might be:
- put path to 32-bit Client bin folder first in PATH
- set up a shortcut to command window with only 64-bit in PATH, for times when you need to administer the database via command line.