Sql Server 2008 – forgot the sa password ( how to retrieve sa password )
go to run line
>cmd
Net Stop MSSQLSERVER
Net Start MSSQLSERVER /c /m /T3604
– Now your SqlServer running in a single mode.
Enter the Sql Server Managment Studio with server name (local) or just write “.” with Window Authentication.
Security –> Logins –> your Window Authentication user –> right click –> properties –> server roles –> check sysadmin
Now you can change the sa password.
Security –> Logins –> sa –> right click –> properties –> general –> enter password –> enter confirm password (pay attention for the password policy – it should have letters numbers and special chars in one ). –> ok
Don’t forget to return to a regular mode , hence :
> cmd
Net Stop MSSQLSERVER
Net Start MSSQLSERVER
You got your password retrieved and the SqlServer2008 running .
That’s it !
Same with (sqlexpress)
For people having trouble with SQL Server 2008:
1. You need to first login to windows with a local administrator account.
2. You need to right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator”
3. Type: net stop “sql server (sqlexpress)”
4. Type: net start “sql server (sqlexpress)” /m
5. Right-click on SSMA Express and select “Run as Administrator”
6. Click “New Query” button and login to SQLExpress instance with “Windows Authentication”.
7. Type: SELECT user_name()
and hit F5 to execute. Make sure it says “dbo”
8. Delete previous statement. Then type: sp_addsrvrolemember ‘YOURDOMAIN\username’,’sysadmin’
YOURDOMAIN needs to be replaced by your domain, or if the account you’re trying to add to sysadmin isn’t a domain account then just type only the username.
9. Stop the SQL Server through Command Prompt again, and start it again but without the: /m
10. Logout of the local admin account, login with the network account that you just added as a sysadmin and “Run as Administrator” on SQL Server Management Studio Express.
