Is the databse usinging SPFILE or PFILE?
---------------------------------------
SELECT DECODE(COUNT(*) ,1, 'SPFILE','PFILE')
FROM v$spparameter
WHERE ROWNUM= 1 AND
isspecified = 'TRUE';

SPFILES
A version of the pfile file that is maintained by Oracle
Always resides on the server
Create from pfile in any mount state
Need to be connected as a SYSDBA
    CREATE SPFILE [=.spfile_name.]
    FROM PFILE [=.pfile_name.]

Creating SPFILE
---------------------------------------
    SQL> create spfile from pfile;
Shutdown/startup activates spfile

Using the SPFILE
---------------------------------------
The SPFILE allows you to track dynamic system changes 
    ALTER SYSTEM SET 
          parameter = value
       [COMMENT=.some comment.]
       [SCOPE= MEMORY|SPFILE|BOTH]

Creating a PFILE from an SPFILE
---------------------------------------
good to have a pfile for backup purposes
   CREATE PFILE [=.pfile_name.] FROM SPFILE [=.pfile_name.]

Reseting parameters and Startup Errors 
---------------------------------------
To reset the parameters use:
    alter system reset db_block_buffers scope=spfile sid='*'; 
If the databse won't startup because of a parameter you should be 
able to
    SQL> create pfile from spfile;
Edit pfile startup
    SQL> startup pfile=initSID.ora

SPFILES in PFILES
---------------------------------------
Need to reference in pfile at startup unless located in default location
Example
    #define an SP file
    SPFILE = e:\db\orlp\spfileorlp.ora

Viewing parameters in SPFILES
---------------------------------------
Look at V$SPPARAMETER view or use Oracle Enterprise Manager
Notice the UPDATED_COMMENT field on the V$PARAMETER 
and other views related to parameters
Will take in-line comments in the pfile and populate this 
field when the SPFILE is created