Installing Oracle database on a test machine is one of the things that I do at the office. I have encountered one error when installing Oracle® Database 10g Release 2 (10.2) on a Microsoft Windows laptop computer offline.

It’s looking for a fixed IP on the computer, but what I have is a DHCP provided IP whenever I connect to the network. I sometimes need to work on the laptop to do some work with the database while offline and not connected to our network. So that I’ll be able to install an instance of the Oracle database; I need to set up a loopback adapter. The loopback adapter with a local IP simulate a networked computer. The local fixed IP and hostname will be used by the database even if the laptop will be connected to the network later.

Setting Up Microsoft Loopback Adapter on Windows XP:

Start -> Control Panel -> Add Hardware
Add Hardware Wizard pops up
Click Next
When asked if hardware is connected
Click Yes radio button
Click Next
On the installed hardware list click Add a new hardware device
Click Next
Select Install the hardware manually radio button
Click Next
On the common hardware types list
Select Network Adapters
Click Next
Select Microsoft on the manufacturer list
Select Microsoft Loopback Adapter on the network adapter list
Click Next
It will prompt for hardware to install
Microsoft Loopback Adapter
Click Next
Click Finish

After installing the Microsoft Loopback Adapter you need to check that the new network adapter has been added successfully and set up the fixed IP for the local loopback adapter like 192.168.1.20. Then resume installation of Oracle® Database 10g Release 2 on the laptop using the local loopback adapter IP assigned.