Yesterday a colleague tried installing the same Oracle client I've got on my machine, from the same installation medium (a network drive) onto the same NT standard build.

I scoffed as she described how it didn't work, and mocked as we ran the installation on both machines simultaneously to identify any differences. Afterwards I was a concentrated ball of confidence as I logged in... and got the same error message as her.

Since then, some four hours ago, I've developed this sore, bloody patch on my forehead.

I've got a TNSNAMES.ORA that has three entries that have always worked. It's the only tnsnames.ora on my path, indeed on my system. I've eliminated all evidence of Oracle from the hard drives and registry and installed it again. I've had an Oracle "expert" look at it remotely for over an hour before giving up. I've sacrificed a virgin and three sheep. And still I get that 12154 error.

Ugh.

:bu: