5/16/2008 - Accessing an SQL 2005 database if the database sa password has been reset
I came across the need to access some data within an SQL 2005 database (in order to back it up), where the sa password had been reset. This is how I did it:-
Logged to the server as a member of the local windows admin group
Stopped the SQL 2005 service.
at a command line, from the SQL\Binn directory ran: sqlservr -m -sABC1234 (ABC1234 is the database instance name)
Ran the SQL Server Comnfiguarion Manager.
Added my account as sa.
Typed Ctrl-C in the DOS screen.
Restarted the SQL 2005 service.
I now had access to the database! The above process is very risky. Please don't contact me if you wreck your database in the process! You have been warned!
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