A
Modifying Configurations

This appendix describes how to edit and add Oracle-related settings.

Specifically, this appendix covers:

• Modifying a Registry Entry
• Adding a Parameter

Modifying a Registry Entry

The registry stores information about the configuration of a computer, including Oracle-related parameter settings, such as:

• language, territory, and character set
• Oracle home
• database location

  Caution: When editing in the registry, proceed carefully to avoid deleting or altering correct information that can affect how your system functions.

To edit the Oracle-related settings:

1. Start the Registry:

   From the taskbar, select Start > Run.

2. Enter:

   REGEDT32.EXE for Windows NT

   REGEDIT.EXE for Windows 95

3. Click OK.

   The Registry Editor window appears:

   

4. Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree.
5. Double-click the SOFTWARE key.
6. Double-click the ORACLE key.

   ORACLE displays three keys

   • Misc_Reg_Entries for miscellaneous value entries
   • ORACLE_HOMES for location value entries
   • SECURITY for location entries

   All of the value entries appear on the right-hand side of the window:

   

7. Double-click the value to edit.

   The Edit String dialog box appears:

   

8. Make any edits in the Value Data field.
9. Choose OK.
10. From the Registry menu, choose Exit.
11. Log out and log back in again for the changes to take effect.

Adding a Parameter

You can also add the following parameters to a Windows NT system:

• LOCAL
• REMOTE
• TNS_ADMIN

You can add these configuration parameters in three ways:

• the registry

  See "Using the Registry" in this appendix for more information.

• the Control Panel

  See "Using the Control Panel" in this appendix for more information.

• the command line with the SET command:

  C:\>SET LOCAL=service_name
  

  This method only lasts for the current login session.

LOCAL

You can add the LOCAL parameter to make a connection without specifying a connect string. The value for LOCAL is the service name in the TNSNAMES.ORA file located in the ORANT\NET80\ADMIN directory.

For example, if the LOCAL parameter is specified, you connect to a database from Server Manager with the following:

SVRMGR>CONNECT SCOTT/TIGER 

Net8 checks for LOCAL in the registry. If it exists, Net8 connects.

REMOTE

You can add the REMOTE parameter to make a remote connection without specifying a connect string. The value for REMOTE is the connect descriptor parameters in the TNSNAMES.ORA file located at ORACLE_HOME\NET80\ADMIN directory. For example, if the REMOTE parameter is specified, you connect to a remote database from Server Manager with the following:

SVRMGR>CONNECT SCOTT/TIGER@REMOTE

Net8 checks for REMOTE in the registry. If it exists, Net8 connects.

TNS_ADMIN

You can add the TNS_ADMIN parameter to change the directory name for configuration files from the default location. The default directory is ORACLE_HOME\NET80\ADMIN. For example, if you set TNS_ADMIN to ORACLE_HOME\TEST\ADMIN, the configuration files are used from ORACLE_HOME\TEST\ADMIN.

Using the Registry

To add a parameter:

1. Start the Registry:
   • From the command line, enter:

     C:\>REGEDT32.EXE for Windows NT

     C:\>REGEDIT.EXE for Windows 95

   • Select Run from the Start icon in the Taskbar, enter REGEDT32 in the Open field, and click OK.

   The Registry Editor window appears.

2. Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree.
3. Double-click the SOFTWARE key.
4. Double-click the ORACLE key.

   The list of value entries appears in the right-hand side of the window.

5. From the Edit menu, choose New, and choose String Value.

   The new entry appears with a temporary name.

6. Type a name for the new entry, and then press ENTER.
7. Double-click on the value to edit.

   The Edit String dialog box appears

8. Enter a value in the Value Data field.
9. Click OK.
10. From the Registry menu, choose Exit.
11. Log out and log in again for the changes to take effect.

Using the Control Panel

To add a parameter:

1. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.

   The System Properties window appears.

2. Click the Environment tab.

   The Environment view appears:

   

3. Enter the parameter name in the Variable field and its value in the Value field.
4. Click Set.
5. The parameter is added to the System Variables list box.
6. Click OK.
7. From the Registry menu, choose Exit.
8. Reboot your system for changes to take effect.
9. Log out and log in again for the changes to take effect.

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