Eror with startup

Hi,

I (try to) use Oracle 8.1.7 with Linux. ( I am a beginer)

After the installation, I want to create the database and iI have the following message:

oracle:/home/oracle$ svrmgrl

Oracle Server Manager Release 3.1.7.0.0 - Production

Copyright (c) 1997, 1999, Oracle Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Oracle8i Enterprise Edition Release 8.1.7.0.1 - Production With the Partitioning option
JServer Release 8.1.7.0.1 - Production

SVRMGR> connect internal
Connected.
SVRMGR> startup pfile='/opt/oracle/8.1.7/admin/ORATHC/pfile/initORATHC.ora' nomount;
ORA-07217: sltln: environment variable cannot be evaluated. ORA-07217: sltln: environment variable cannot be evaluated. SVRMGR>
Server Manager complete.

Any Idea ???

Thanks a lot

--
Thierry CONSTANT