What is the SA password and what does it do?

Modified on Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:48 by Kevin Ricciardo — Categorized as: FAQ

The person installing a new instance of SQL Server that uses mixed-mode authentication (as is required by CAREWare) sets the password for the SA (System Administrator) account. The SA account is used only for the management of SQL Server; it is not a CAREWare login.


If the SA password is lost, the CAREWare Help Desk strongly suggests that all attempts to recover the password are exhausted before attempting to detach and reattach the database as outlined in the System Administrator's Manual. If all attempts to retrieve the password are exhausted, refer to the System Administrator User Manual pages 22-23.


The SA password can be changed within SQL Server Management Studio using the following steps:


  1. Connect to the database instance using Windows User Authentication.
  2. Expand the instance.
  3. Expand Security.
  4. Expand Logins.
  5. Right click SA.
  6. Select Properties.
  7. Delete the old password and enter the new one.
  8. Delete the old confirm password and enter the new one.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Disconnect from the database instance.
  11. Reconnect to the database instance using the SQL Server Authentication, the user name SA, and the new password.

The steps above can also be used to change the password for user cwbt.

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