Verify steps is correct - about spfile & pfile

Question

hi guys,
let say i need to modify log_archive_format to a valid value and my database cannot startup. The step i need to take is
SQL> conn sys as sysdba
Enter password:
Connected.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> create pfile from spfile;
File created.
SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> startup pfile;
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile='C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server\database\initXE.ora';
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area  535662592 bytes
Fixed Size                  1384760 bytes
Variable Size             243273416 bytes
Database Buffers          285212672 bytes
Redo Buffers                5791744 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show user
USER is "SYS"
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show parameter spfile;
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
spfile                               string
File created.
SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area  535662592 bytes
Fixed Size                  1384760 bytes
Variable Size             243273416 bytes
Database Buffers          285212672 bytes
Redo Buffers                5791744 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show parameter spfile;
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
spfile                               string      C:\ORACLEXE\APP\ORACLE\PRODUCT
                                                 \11.2.0\SERVER\DATABASE\SPFILE
                                                 XE.ORA
SQL>the step to restart the database again after the database was startup using the pfile was to allow the database to use spfile back. Is that correct?
And not too sure why the below won't work until i specify the full path.
>
SQL> startup pfile;
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile='C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server\database\initXE.ora';
ORACLE instance started.

Answer 1

Andy Klock wrote:
You have me stumped. It didn't look like you did anything at all. Typically if you get into a state when the spfile has values that don't allow you to startup the instance, you create a pfile from the spfile, which you did. Then you correct the pfile. (vi initXE.ora) which I don't see. Then you execute create spfile from pfile='&corrected_pfile', then startup the instance with the fixed spfile.
As for the pfile parameter, you have to specify the file. That's the way it's always been. If you don't specify anything (i.e. startup) it will first default to the spfile (9i and above) then to the initORACLESID.ora, otherwise it doesn't know where to look.
Good luck.oops....i accidently copied the wrong demo.. .
it should be :
SQL> conn sys as sysdba
Enter password:
Connected.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> create pfile from spfile;
File created.
SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
-- MODIFY THE pFILE, THEN
SQL> startup pfile;
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile
SP2-0714: invalid combination of STARTUP options
SQL> startup pfile='C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server\database\initXE.ora';
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area  535662592 bytes
Fixed Size                  1384760 bytes
Variable Size             243273416 bytes
Database Buffers          285212672 bytes
Redo Buffers                5791744 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show user
USER is "SYS"
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show parameter spfile;
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
spfile                               string
SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area  535662592 bytes
Fixed Size                  1384760 bytes
Variable Size             243273416 bytes
Database Buffers          285212672 bytes
Redo Buffers                5791744 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL>
SQL>
SQL> show parameter spfile;
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
spfile                               string      C:\ORACLEXE\APP\ORACLE\PRODUCT
                                                 \11.2.0\SERVER\DATABASE\SPFILE
                                                 XE.ORA
SQL>