diff --git a/oracle/standby-server-scripts/rman_restore_from_zero.ps1 b/oracle/standby-server-scripts/rman_restore_from_zero.ps1
index f89808f..19b379e 100644
--- a/oracle/standby-server-scripts/rman_restore_from_zero.ps1
+++ b/oracle/standby-server-scripts/rman_restore_from_zero.ps1
@@ -88,7 +88,51 @@ $service = Get-Service -Name "OracleServiceROA" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
 if ($service) {
     Write-Host "[OK] Oracle service already exists, skipping creation (15s saved!)" -ForegroundColor Green
     Write-Host "    Service will be reused for this restore"
-    Write-Host "    Note: Service status is $($service.Status) (OK - will be started by NOMOUNT)"
+    
+    # Ensure service is running (required for SQL*Plus connection)
+    if ($service.Status -ne "Running") {
+        Write-Host "    Service is stopped, starting it (may take 30-60 seconds)..."
+        
+        # Start service in background job to avoid blocking
+        $startJob = Start-Job -ScriptBlock {
+            Start-Service -Name "OracleServiceROA" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        }
+        
+        # Poll for service status with timeout
+        $maxWait = 60
+        $elapsed = 0
+        $pollInterval = 3
+        $serviceStarted = $false
+        
+        while ($elapsed -lt $maxWait) {
+            Start-Sleep -Seconds $pollInterval
+            $elapsed += $pollInterval
+            
+            # Refresh service status
+            $currentService = Get-Service -Name "OracleServiceROA" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            if ($currentService -and $currentService.Status -eq "Running") {
+                $serviceStarted = $true
+                Write-Host "    [OK] Service started successfully after $elapsed seconds"
+                break
+            }
+            
+            if ($elapsed % 15 -eq 0) {
+                Write-Host "    Still waiting for service to start... ($elapsed/$maxWait seconds)"
+            }
+        }
+        
+        # Cleanup background job
+        Stop-Job -Job $startJob -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        Remove-Job -Job $startJob -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        
+        if (-not $serviceStarted) {
+            Write-Host "    WARNING: Service did not start within $maxWait seconds" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+            Write-Host "    This may cause SQL*Plus connection issues (ORA-12560)"
+            Write-Host "    Attempting to continue anyway..."
+        }
+    } else {
+        Write-Host "    Service is already running"
+    }
 } else {
     Write-Host "    Oracle service not found, creating from PFILE..."