SA Password Unknown

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SA Password Unknown

Welsh Corgi

SSC Guru

Points: 116520
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December 29, 2011 at 11:40 am

#265697

Is it safe to use a 3rd party tool to reset the SA Password , i.e. Password Unlocker?
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Brandie Tarvin SSC Guru Points: 173108 More actions · Answer 1

I've never had to, so I can't tell you the consequences of doing so. But a few years back, I know of one SSC poster who swore by a specific password reset tool. I just can't remember what it was.

Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

PaulB-TheOneAndOnly SSC Guru Points: 66772 More actions · Answer 2

I remember having to do it a few years ago.

Didn't use a third party tool but a set of three stored procedures: sp_hexadecimal, sp_help_revlogin and a sligthly hacked version of sp_password. It worked like a charm.

Edit: Found what appears to be the same procedure I followed, here: http://www.simple-talk.com/content/print.aspx?article=409

_____________________________________
Pablo (Paul) Berzukov

Author of Understanding Database Administration available at Amazon and other bookstores.

Disclaimer: Advice is provided to the best of my knowledge but no implicit or explicit warranties are provided. Since the advisor explicitly encourages testing any and all suggestions on a test non-production environment advisor should not held liable or responsible for any actions taken based on the given advice.

Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 3

Brandie Tarvin (12/29/2011)
I've never had to, so I can't tell you the consequences of doing so. But a few years back, I know of one SSC poster who swore by a specific password reset tool. I just can't remember what it was.

Thanks Brandy.

In this case there is no risk of doing so because it the instance is installed on a pc and it can't be used until the SA password is reset.

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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 4

PaulB-TheOneAndOnly (12/29/2011)
I remember having to do it a few years ago.
Didn't use a third party tool but a set of three stored procedures: sp_hexadecimal, sp_help_revlogin and a sligthly hacked version of sp_password. It worked like a charm.
Edit: Found what appears to be the same procedure I followed, here: http://www.simple-talk.com/content/print.aspx?article=409

I can't connect as a sysadmin so I'm not sure that this will work.

I have a few fires going on so the priority has moved down.

Thanks.

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SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281344 More actions · Answer 5

I was about to suggest sentrigo - they have shown a bug in SQL that shows the SA password in clear text. But they are now a part of mcafee and I can't find that resource anymore.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
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paul.knibbs SSCoach Points: 15320 More actions · Answer 6

Can't you do this without a 3rd-party tool by just starting SQL server in single-user mode?

Devendrakumar SSC-Forever Points: 42493 More actions · Answer 7

PaulB-TheOneAndOnly (12/29/2011)
I remember having to do it a few years ago.
Didn't use a third party tool but a set of three stored procedures: sp_hexadecimal, sp_help_revlogin and a sligthly hacked version of sp_password. It worked like a charm.
Edit: Found what appears to be the same procedure I followed, here: http://www.simple-talk.com/content/print.aspx?article=409

Nice Article 🙂

george sibbald SSC Guru Points: 104210 More actions · Answer 8

paul.knibbs (12/30/2011)
Can't you do this without a 3rd-party tool by just starting SQL server in single-user mode?

yep, if he has admin rights on the server

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Brandie Tarvin SSC Guru Points: 173108 More actions · Answer 9

Would the DAC account help in a scenario like this? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 10

Thanks Brandie.

I had to put this on the back burner because my priorities have changed but SA is the only Account that is a member of the sysadmin role.

Thanks!

sp_helpsrvrolemember

ServerRoleMemberNameMemberSID

sysadminsa 0x01

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004514 More actions · Answer 11

Start SQL in single user mode. When SQL is running in single user mode all members of the local administrator group are considered members of sysadmin. Hence if you're logged into the server as a windows account that's a member of local administrators you'll be able be able to connect to SQL with sysadmin permissions (I recommend SQLCMD) and change the sa password or assign new sysadmin logins.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 12

Thanks again Gail.:-)

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george sibbald SSC Guru Points: 104210 More actions · Answer 13

The single user mode solution was posted 3 days ago, and in your parallel thread on the same subject, 4 days ago, did you not believe us?

🙁

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Welsh Corgi SSC Guru Points: 116520 More actions · Answer 14

george sibbald (1/2/2012)
The single user mode solution was posted 3 days ago, and in your parallel thread on the same subject, 4 days ago, did you not believe us?
🙁

I mentioned that I was closing the other threat and to not respond to it.

Sorry but I saw it and I believed you, I got hit with a bunch of other stuff.

Thank you very much for the good advise. I should have thanked everyone initially.

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