Question :
I have a very old Oracle 7.x database that I need to open or convert to a new Oracle 11g.
Here’s the content of the old database:
control01.ctl control02.ctl control03.ctl findata01.ora finind01.ora gstdata01.ora rbs01.dbf system01.dbf system02.dbf system03.dbf temp01.dbf temp02.dbf tools01.dbf users.dbf
Note: the .ora files are binary (spfile).
When mounting the old database the following error appears:
ORA-00205: error in identifying control file
Ok, first I’ve tried to create a pfile from spfile:
create pfile='c:orapfile.ora' from spfile='c:ora...findata01.ora'
I get “File created” but the pfile is empty.
I’ve tried to change the control files to:
alter system set control_files='c:ora...control01.ctl,c:ora...control02.ctl,c:ora...control03.ctl' scope=spfile;
But then I get the error message:
ORA-32001: write to SPFILE requested but no SPFILE is in use
Anyone know what else to try? I’m running out of ideas.
Maybe the database format has changed and it’s not possible to open a 7.x database from inside 11.x? Or maybe there’s a third-party tool to convert the database format?
Thanks in advance!
Answer :
You should open your 7.3 database with Oracle server version 7.3. Than you need to export data using legacy exp command and import generated file into Oracle 11g using imp.
That would be safest path.
If I remember correctly you can not migrate database directly from 7.3 to 11g version.
EDIT:
As mentioned in comment, there are more ways to to get to 11g version. Here is upgrade guide http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e23633/toc.htm