"Cannot initialize OCI error-1" when trying to connect. Support Bundle - PATH notes C:\Windows\system\NV;.; (4231686)

"Cannot initialize OCI error-1" when trying to connect. Support Bundle - PATH notes C:\Windows\system\NV;.;

After reviewing various Knowledge Base articles related to Toad for Oracle connection issues, this is still a problem.

Toad launches without issue but any attempt to connect with any Oracle client or database, Toad gives the error "Cannot initialize OCI. Error -1" or

"The program can't start because oracore11.dll is missing from your computer"

This is also an issue with direct connect.

The correct Oracle client is installed and selected in the connection window. The bit version matches between the Toad install and the client install. SQL Plus can connect without issue. The PATH is set correctly in the Environmental Variables window. An instant client set up doesn't work because Toad does not detect the existance of the instant client even when set up correctly. 

Checking PATH in Control Panel | System | Advanced | Environmental Variables, it shows different information than what's noted as PATH in Toad for Oracle's Help | Support bundle -- System Information.

In Toad's support bundle (Help | Support Bundle) it notes:

Environment Variable (PATH) :
     C:\Windows\system32\NV
     .

A Nvidia graphics card 4200 may installed. If so, the Nvidia graphic card driver bug may have corrupted the environment PATH setting for the system. This may have been brought up by a Windows Update and/or Nvidia driver update.

Nvidia is dynamically adding C:\Windows\system\NV to the path.

WORKAROUND 1:

This is an issue with the Nvidia driver. Roll back any driver update/change for the Nvidia card or roll back to the previous system restore point. The specific driver version that causes this issue is unknown at this time.

WORKAROUND 2:

This may be specific to Nvidia feature called Optimus. Turn this off in the bios.

NOTES:

Here are some links where this issue with Nvidia is discussed. Please note that Quest and Quest Support do not maintain these linked articles and forums, nor any of the information noted in them. They have been included here for user reference and troubleshooting.

- https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/509226/optimus-serious-bug-corrupt-process-environment-variables-path-/

- http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/path-variable-shows-only-pathcwindowssystem32nv/454fd1fb-84b0-439a-9a42-6d93ef15e074

If there are any further questions about the card, driver, or the issue as related to the Nvidia graphics card, please refer to your company's helpdesk/admins, or contact Nvidia Support and other online resources.

This issue may apply to various versions of Toad for Oracle. Nvidia has a technology called Optimus that allows switching display adapters 'on the fly' between the Nvidia card and the integrated Intel video card. Optimus manages the switching between the cards by dynamically adding C:\Windows\system\NV to the path. They name all the drivers to match the Intel card so by pre-pending the path when desired, they allow selected apps to use their drivers. http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/News/Nvidia-Optimus-technology/ For a review and tips about other more common connection issues within Toad, please refer to: Common Oracle Connection issues in Toad for Oracle 10.x & above, frequently asked connect questions https://support.quest.com/SolutionDetail.aspx?id=SOL64853&pr=Toad%20for%20Oracle Error connecting to a Database: "Can't initialize OCI Error -1" https://support.quest.com/SolutionDetail.aspx?id=SOL15601&pr=Toad%20for%20Oracle