title: ORA 12154 - unable to connect from toad/SQLplus
body: <p>when i try to connect any DataBase in my TNSNAMES.ora file SQLPLUS throws  </p>
  
  <pre><code>ORA-12154: TNS could not resolve service name
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I've already checked this stuff:</p>
  
  <pre><code>TNS_ADMIN environment variable is defined as "C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\NETWORK\ADMIN"  
  
  "C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\NETWORK\ADMIN\tnsnames.ora" was located  
  
  The following connect descriptor was found for my_db in the tnsnames.ora file  
  
  my_db=  
    (DESCRIPTION=  
      (ADDRESS=  
        (PROTOCOL=TCP)  
        (HOST=local.db)  
        (PORT=1521)  
      )  
      (CONNECT_DATA=  
        (SID=SCMPROD)  
      )  
    )  
  
  "C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\NETWORK\ADMIN\sqlnet.ora" was located  
  
  NAMES.DIRECTORY_PATH specifies TNSNAMES in the sqlnet.ora file  
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>the question is:</p>
  
  <p>what is missing?</p>
  
  <h1>UPDATE</h1>
  
  <p>Now on SqlPlus using <code>the usr/pwd@SELFTEST</code> connection string it works</p>
  
  <p>In can't be an error on the server because on my old PC it still accept my connection an all my company works on it.</p>
  
  <p>The tnsname.ora</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELFTEST=
    (DESCRIPTION=
      (ADDRESS=
        (PROTOCOL=TCP)
        (HOST=10.100.2.7)
        (PORT=1521)
      )
      (CONNECT_DATA=
        (SERVER=dedicated)
        (SERVICE_NAME=GOLDtest)
      )
    )
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The problem still exist trying to connect from Toad for Oracle...</p>