Oracle Database Discussions

I am looking for the best way to clone my Production database to a test environment. My PROD database is in archive mode, and I have both export files and backup copies available.

I have tried the GRID and the ODBCA clones and it takes PROD down without warning(!) and I don't want to do that, unless it is off hours, which I don't particulary care to work if I don't have to.

I have tried copying the recovery area backup files (control and datafiles) to the new database and creating a new control file, but I get this message:

CREATE CONTROLFILE SET DATABASE "PPRD" RESETLOGS NOARCHIVELOG
*
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01503: CREATE CONTROLFILE failed
ORA-01276: Cannot add file
D:\ORADATA\PROD\PPRD\CONTROLFILE\O1_MF_2MKQ2KPC_.CTL. File has an Oracle
Managed Files file name.

I can't seem to get around this, so currently I create a database template with PROD down, delete the old test database, and then create a new database using the new template.

I KNOW there is a better way to do this!

TIA.

Deb