Resender (9/25/2013)OK I can connect/tnsping to the database but not via tnsnames only directly
Many possible reasons for it...
1) Syntax errors on tnsnames file
2) Wrong parameters on tnsnames file
3) Multiple tnsnames files
4) ORACLE_HOME not correcty set
Make sure TNSNAMES file is correct then set TNS_ADMIN variable pointing to it - that way you are sure Oracle is using the rignt tnsnames one.
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Pablo (Paul) Berzukov
Author of Understanding Database Administration available at Amazon and other bookstores.
Disclaimer: Advice is provided to the best of my knowledge but no implicit or explicit warranties are provided. Since the advisor explicitly encourages testing any and all suggestions on a test non-production environment advisor should not held liable or responsible for any actions taken based on the given advice.