ORA-01033: ORACLE initialization or shutdown in progress using Oracle Express I am using Oracle Database 11g Express Edition.  I'm on Windows 7-64Bit

I get this error when trying to access the database: 

ORA-01033: ORACLE initialization or shutdown in progress

I set up the express edition more than a year ago, and I've used it primarily for a single database instance that I access through SQL Developer.  I really do not do much as far as DBA administration on this, so I am not familiar with the points of failure.  But I know this will not fix itself by waiting longer.  I've tried rebooting and waiting several days.  I cannot log in using any userId I've created.  

I've googled solutions and am running a console as a system administrator.  Here is what happens when I try to make repairs.

&gt;sqlplus /nolog
SQL&gt;connect / as sysdba
ERROR:
ORA-01031: insufficient privileges


Others that have had the same ORA-01033 do not seem to get this error.  

I really don't even need the databases.  If there is a way to wipe my data clean and start again, I'd be happy.  But it is not obvious to me how to even do that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I believe restarting the applicable windows service will bounce the database.

net stop oracleservicexe
net start oracleservicexe


Alternatively you can connect as sys and provide the password instead of using internal authentication, then bounce the database from there.

&gt;sqlplus /nolog
SQL&gt;connect sys as sysdba
Password:


You may also want to check the alert log for what, if anything, is keeping the database from completing startup or shutdown.