sql server sims sa password

[Uraken]

Hi all i have lost my sa password, which up til now hasn't really caused me any problems but i'm forever trying to force off users when doing sims updates and need to know this password, i'm aware that i could change it somewhere within sql but need to know of any knock effects to sims?

 

can i safely change the password with no dramas or if it will cause loads of problems hoe can i find it out (i have full access to the server)

[NetworkGeezer]

I presume you have local administrator password for the server hosting the SQL server. Navigate to "E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$SIMS\BIN" and look for a program called ChSaPwd.exe

[NetworkGeezer]

Woops. It only allows you to change the passord if you know it.

 

Erm... are you running MSDE or full MS SQL Server 2000?

[Uraken]

full sql server

[jrubinstein]

I have created a special admin user for this. As an admin for the sql server you can create a user, then give that user full admin rights over the database. You don't have to disturb the original sa account.

 

It works for me anyway.

 

Best wishes

 

Jay Rubinstein

[Uraken]

ok this sounds god i will give it a go,incidentally do you use this account to do upgrades and force users off the system?

[ajbritton]

You can use the sp_password stored procedure to reset the SA password without knowing the original.

[StewartKnight]

I bet the sa password is blank or the name of the school anyway!

[NetworkGeezer]

full sql server

 

Then you can reset the password using the SQL Server Enterprise Manager GUI tool. Drill down to the logins node for the server you managing:

 

SIMS_server (should the one with white arrow in green circle) then Security then logins then right-click on sa

Just put the desired password in the field labelled password.

 

You can use the sp_password stored procedure to reset the SA password without knowing the original.

 

Hmm interesting. Can you post some example code. Thanks

[Uraken]

have tried blank and password and all the usual ones no joy, if i do manage to reset, will it effect sims?

[jrubinstein]

Have you tried the school's number?

 

If you can set up a different user with full rights, it can be used to force users off. I login to SOLUS with my usual rights, download the new stuff, then go into dbupgrade again as my usual self. When it tells me (and it always does) that there are users logged in, I use the new admin user to force the users off. It works for me.

[Jonno]

You can use the sp_password stored procedure to reset the SA password without knowing the original.

 

Hmm interesting. Can you post some example code. Thanks

EXEC sp_password @new = 'newpassword', @loginame = 'sa';

You need admin rights to do this obviously (simplest way is presumably via Windows authentication).

[NetworkGeezer]

have tried blank and password and all the usual ones no joy, if i do manage to reset, will it effect sims?

 

I don't think so. The sa password is for the entire SQL Server RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) not the SIMS DB.

 

That's why Capita don't don't ask for your sa password when they you send them your data. They can attach the SIMS database with sa password for their SQL Server.

[NetworkGeezer]

EXEC sp_password @new = 'newpassword', @loginame = 'sa';

You need admin rights to do this obviously (simplest way is presumably via Windows authentication).

 

Is domain admin or server local admin rights enough and should hybrid authentication been enabled during MSDE setup?

[Jonno]

EXEC sp_password @new = 'newpassword', @loginame = 'sa';

You need admin rights to do this obviously (simplest way is presumably via Windows authentication).

 

Is domain admin or server local admin rights enough and should hybrid authentication been enabled during MSDE setup?

I just tested it with server local admin rights, and it worked fine. The machine is a test box that's not on a domain, however, so your mileage may vary.

 

Hybrid authentication should have been enabled during MSDE setup for you to be able to use Windows authentication. If not, if it's SQL Server 2005, you can enable it with SQL Server Management Studio; right-click the server, choose "Properties", click "Security" and choose "SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode."

 

If you know the logon details for a member of the SQL 'sysadmin' group, you can use that instead.

 

Hope that helps.

[StewartKnight]

you can uninstall the MSDBE and reinstall it (there is a knowledge base article on it)

 

Re-set up the engine, changing the password to whatever you want, log in again as sa!

 

It only takes a couple of minutes to uninstall / install.

[NetworkGeezer]

you can uninstall the MSDBE and reinstall it (there is a knowledge base article on it)

 

Re-set up the engine, changing the password to whatever you want, log in again as sa!

 

It only takes a couple of minutes to uninstall / install.

 

Uraken has the full SQL Server 2000. That's not the kind of thing that you want to uninstall and reinstall unless it's an absolute last resort. You'd also have to be sure you don'r break any other apps that may be hanging from it.

 

I think in this particular case either the Enterprise Manager or an quick SQL script (thanks AJBritton and jonno) should be used.

[Uraken]

hi all i'm a bit lost with this post now. I now assume i can change the sa password with no knock effect to sims but whats the best way?

[Uraken]

forget my last post and please except my apologies for being a numpty i just had a quick poke about sql server management came across the sa user right clicked changed the password job's a gud un, good job i only spen ttwo months on this problem then lol