Alert log file missing

[dbstudent]

I deleted my alert log file by mistake. I thought it's automatically created if it's not there. Can anybody tell me what to do. The path specified below is where dumped before i deleted it. It appears the same way in the pfile
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST = C:\U01\APP\ORACLE\ADMIN\SID\DBUMP

 

[SantaMufasa]

DBStudent,

First, and rather interestingly, "LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST = " has nothing to do with your "alert log file"...LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST is the location in which Oracle archives your on-line redo log files if your database is in ARCHIVELOG mode (which is very unlikely since you must explicitly place your database in ARCHIVELOG mode...a rather esoteric modification to your database.)

And yes, Oracle does automatically re-initiate writing (afresh) to your alert log if you delete it, either purposely or inadvertently. Oracle writes it to your "BACKGROUND_DUMP_DEST = " path...Check there and advise us of your findings.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[

http://www.dasages.com:

Providing low-cost remote Database Admin services]
Click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips if you use Oracle in Utah USA.

 

[pete91z]

The alert log can often be found under $ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/log or $ORACLE_BASE/admin/ ....may be worth a search around these areas.

 

[dbstudent]

Thanks for the correction above, i meant to write background_dump_dest= C:\U01\APP\ORACLE\ADMIN\SID\DBUMP. I also noticed that i have a dbs directory instead of dbms. Am using oracle9i ver 9.2.0.4 and it doesn't have the log folder in it. Checked $Oracle_Home/admin nothing there. I have three other database on the same server and their alert logs files are written to just fine;

 

[SantaMufasa]

DB,

FYI, "dbs" is a standard directory under your $ORACLE_HOME.

I have three other database on the same server and their alert logs files are written to just fine

If I were in your shoes, then I would compare the instance parameters in the three other databases with the "background_dump_dest" in the instance for which you are having trouble.


Remember these two things about Oracle and your alert logs:

1) Oracle will not startup an instance for which it cannot successfully write to an alert-log file.
2) Oracle must be able to write to an alert-log file.

Therefore (as Fievel from "American Tail" sang), "Somewhere, Out There..."...Oracle must be writing to your alert-log file for that instance, if the instance is actually up and running.

Regardless of your operating system, the is syntax available to "search" for a particular file. You can use that syntax to locate your alert log.

Also, did you really mean, above, that your background_dump_dest ends with "...DBUMP", or is it "...BDUMP"?

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[

http://www.dasages.com:

Providing low-cost remote Database Admin services]
Click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips if you use Oracle in Utah USA.

 

[dbstudent]

I found it. I did a search on "alert_sid.log" Thanks for all your help Mufasa. It was in "BDUMP" of my other databases. I must have copied it there. Thinks for the two important pieces of information you shared:

1) Oracle will not startup an instance for which it cannot successfully write to an alert-log file.
2) Oracle must be able to write to an alert-log file