Trying to connect to an Oracle 8i database via Oledb, must use ole-db for the time being and can't use the OracleClient managed provider just yet. I have scoured the net and ensured that the oracle home var is in the env vars, and i've given necessary permissions to IUSR_ account for the ora92 directory. There were no other suggestions i could find, please help if you've come across this and the resolution. I have Oracle client version 8.1.7, win 2k pro, .Net 1.1 framework, I can post my inventory Contents if it'll help diagnose the problem. please help if you can. thanks, robert