ORA-39142: incompatible version number 3.1 error work-around I am trying to import an Oracle backup .DMP file into a new Oracle DB and I'm getting the error "ORA-39142: incompatible version number 3.1".  My research tells me that this is because the version of Oracle that the .DMP file is coming from is newer than the version I have running (running on a VM), but I have no control over the export process for this .DMP file so I can't play games there to "downgrade" the export. 

Is there a way import this backup file without fiddling with the export process and without upgrading the Oracle VM I'm using?
Here's an interesting blog entry from Burleson computing that appears potentially useful for your circumstance.

From the site:


  There are two cases where it is possible to import into an earlier
  release:
  
  1 - Using the version parameter in Data Pump.  See my notes on
  importing between different releases of Oracle with Data Pump
  export/import 
  
  2 - Using a exp dump file with a Data Pump impdp utility.