ORA-00401: the value for parameter compatible is not supported by this release

Products

• Data Loss Prevention Enforce

Issue/Introduction

The Oracle instance can't start up.

After you login using SQLPlus you see this message:

   c:\> sqlplus /nolog

   SQL> conn sys as sysdba

   SQL> "password"

   SQL> Connected to an idle instance.

if you type the command "startup" you get this message:

ORA-00401: the value for parameter compatible is not supported by this release

Resolution

The cause is due to some changes made to the database that require a newer software relase or that violate the compatibily parameters.

If the customer has run this command:

SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET COMPATIBLE = '10.2.0.4.0' SCOPE=SPFILE;

before to upgrade the Database from 10.2.0.3 to 10.2.0.4; he has to reverte back the changes to be able to run the upgrade again, following carefully the documentation.

Here the steps to reverte back the changes:

- create a new file newpfile.ora on the Oracle server and add the following line:
spfile='c:\oracle\product\10.2.0\db_1\database\spfileprotect.ora' compatible=10.2.0.3.0

- open a Command prompt from the same folder of the file newpfile.ora and login in SQLPLUS using "sys as sysdba" and run this command:
SQL > startup pfile=newpfile.ora

- the Oracle instance will start

- run this command to reverte back the changes:
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET COMPATIBLE = '10.2.0.3.0' SCOPE=SPFILE;