SPFILE Damaged, Cannot Start Database

Question

hi experts,
This is 9.2i on Windows.
I have corrupted my SPFILE for this 9i db (I think that's my problem)
Within RMAN, I've tried to Startup mount; That gives error ORA-16032 "parameter LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST destination string cannot be translated"
I have tried:
set dbid = aaaa;
startup force nomount; - this gives error
Also tried just startup nomount - get same error
SPFILE is on autobackup.
But I have to get the db mounted before I can run:
restore spfile from autobackup; am I correct?
I seem to be trapped. Thanks for any help. John

Answer 1

Check Metalink Note:131490.1 for this error. After sorting out this issue you should be able to do the following:
-bash-3.00$ rman target /
Recovery Manager: Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production
Copyright (c) 1995, 2002, Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.
connected to target database (not started)
RMAN> startup nomount
startup failed: ORA-01078: failure in processing system parameters
LRM-00109: could not open parameter file '/u01/app/oracle/product/9.2/db_1/dbs/initTEST1.ora'
trying to start the Oracle instance without parameter files ...
Oracle instance started
Total System Global Area      97587796 bytes
Fixed Size                      451156 bytes
Variable Size                 46137344 bytes
Database Buffers              50331648 bytes
Redo Buffers                    667648 bytes
RMAN> set dbid 1030693588
executing command: SET DBID
RMAN> restore spfile from autobackup;
Starting restore at 26-JUN-08
using channel ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: looking for autobackup on day: 20080626
channel ORA_DISK_1: autobackup found: c-1030693588-20080626-00
channel ORA_DISK_1: SPFILE restore from autobackup complete
Finished restore at 26-JUN-08
RMAN> startup force
Oracle instance started
database mounted
database opened
Total System Global Area     403772008 bytes
Fixed Size                      451176 bytes
Variable Size                134217728 bytes
Database Buffers             268435456 bytes
Redo Buffers                    667648 bytes
RMAN> exit