I have the same problem as listed here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/52239/oracle-lost-sysdba-password 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.

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 /etc/init.d/oracle-xe 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.

I tried running sqlplus "/ as sysdba" but all I get is:

"Error 6 initializing SQL*Plus Message file sp1.msb not found SP2-0750: You may need to set ORACLE_HOME to your Oracle software directory"

I tried setting the variable via export. (also tried set).

Tried: "export ORACLE_HOME=/usr/lib/oracle/xe/app/oracle/product/10.2.0/server/bin/sqlplus" and all the subdirectories of that. Same error every time.

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.

Let me know if need any clarification. Don't understand what I did wrong in this process.