Have you looked for clues in the alert log? Failed database start-up
attempt must leave some telling traces.
> Any more ideas, please, Niall? (Or anybody!). I 'm feeling thoroughly
> brushed with the stupid-stick! If not, I can feel a TAR coming on...
Cold backup could be the root of your problem. If startup script
tries to start the database but at the same time backup software
did not release all the file locks and some data files are given
back to Oracle 's service while some are not (still locked by backup
software) you will end up with failed Oracle start-up, moreover
your database will need recovery ( "been there " and learned to
put large - half an hour or so sleep between backup to tape and
attempt to start the database...)
