Sql server ''sa'' password

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Sql server ''sa'' password

VivekKumar Gupta

Ten Centuries

Points: 1219
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August 16, 2007 at 10:56 am

#180315

Hello All,
I have gor Sql server installed on my machine and currently I have forgotten password of 'sa' account.
I am able to access database and can query using my windows authentication but I need 'sa' password for one of my application. I cannot get sql server installed again as it will take time at my organisation level due to processes in place.
Please can anyone let me know how to retrieve my 'sa' password as it is required urgently.
Regards,
Vivek

/**A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug**/

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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Mike Howell Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 521 More actions · Answer 1

Not sure how to get it, but can you change the password using sp_password?

VivekKumar Gupta Ten Centuries Points: 1219 More actions · Answer 2

Hi Mike,

I can't change the 'sa' password using sp_password as I have forgotten the previous old password.

Regards,

Vivek

/**A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug**/

Lowell SSC Guru Points: 323518 More actions · Answer 3

if you are in as a builtin\Administrator, you can still use the sp_password, you simply leave oldpassword as null.

an admin does not need to know the old password, so you'd be all set.

BOL has that exact example i believe.

Lowell

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rubes SSCrazy Points: 2058 More actions · Answer 4

If you change it in Enterprise Manager I don't think it requires you to know the old password.

Regards,
Rubes

Brijesh Mehta SSC-Addicted Points: 420 More actions · Answer 5

Login as An Administrator and go the Enterprise Manager, connect to the server where you would be chaging "sa" password, Go to Security > Logins> double click on "sa" login and enter the new password. This way you woudl have ownership of "sa" login.

Remember if your applications or packages or jobs are using "sa" password you would have to replace this with new password/

brijesh

Stewart Joslyn SSCertifiable Points: 6131 More actions · Answer 6

I saw this recently. Scared me and haven't tested it but ...

http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/t-sql-programming/temporarily-changing-an-unknown-password-of-the-sa-account-/

SwePeso SSC-Dedicated Points: 39757 More actions · Answer 7

You can do this if you are a member of the local administrators of the machine where sql server is running.

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E 12°55'05.25"

steve block SSCertifiable Points: 7698 More actions · Answer 8

This is the classic reason for not letting apps use sa.

So who wrote the application that uses the sa password? If it is in house, you need to change the application to not use sa. If it is a purchased app, get after that vendor. It may not solve the immediate problem but it will avoid them in the future.

Steve

WILLIAM MITCHELL SSChampion Points: 13766 More actions · Answer 9

http://www.ngssoftware.com/products/database-security/ngs-sqlcrack.php

Andre Guerreiro SSCertifiable Points: 7319 More actions · Answer 10

WILLIAM MITCHELL (8/17/2007)

<A href="http://www.ngssoftware.com/products/database-security/ngs-sqlcrack.php">http://www.ngssoftware.com/products/database-security/ngs-sqlcrack.php</A>%5B/quote%5D

Could you please explain?

Best regards,

Andre Guerreiro Neto

Database Analyst
http://www.softplan.com.br
MCITPx1/MCTSx2/MCSE/MCSA

Amr Salah SSC Enthusiast Points: 150 More actions · Answer 11

Use enterprise manager to change the password . Any member of the administrators group should be able to connect to the server using windows authentication . This was the default in 7 and 2000 . You will not be asked for the old password , just use the GUI .