title: How to correctly set the ORACLE_HOME variable on Ubuntu 9.x?
body: <p>I have the same problem as listed here: <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/52239/oracle-lost-sysdba-password">How to recover or change Oracle sysdba password</a> although I did not lose the password, I entered it twice in the configure script originally, and then when I went to login (localhost:8080/apex, password not accepted. </p>
  
  <p>I don't have anything in the database, I just want to install and use Oracle-XE. I have tried apt-get removing it twice and reinstalling, but if I try to run <code>/etc/init.d/oracle-xe</code> configure again and I get "Oracle Database 10g Express Edition is already configured" despite the second time removing any folders I could find for Oracle XE. </p>
  
  <p>I tried running sqlplus "/ as sysdba" but all I get is:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Error 6 initializing SQL*Plus
  Message file sp1&lt;lang&gt;.msb not found
  SP2-0750: You may need to set ORACLE_HOME to your Oracle software directory
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I tried setting the variable via <code>export</code>. (also tried <code>set</code>). </p>
  
  <p>Tried: <code>export ORACLE_HOME=/usr/lib/oracle/xe/app/oracle/product/10.2.0/server/bin/sqlplus</code>
  and all the subdirectories of that. Same error every time. </p>
  
  <p>What is the ORACLE_HOME supposed to be set to? The only reference I have seen either just say general  or say the above up to the version number then "/db_1". I do no thave a db_1. </p>
  
  <p>Let me know if you need any clarification. I don't understand what I did wrong in this process.</p>