Changing the default password for the MSDE databases 'sa' account

The information in this article applies to:

• GFI EndPointSecurity 3
• GFI EndPointSecurity 4
• GFI EventsManager 7
• GFI EventsManager 8
• GFI FAXmaker for Exchange/SMTP 12
• GFI FAXmaker for Exchange/SMTP 14
• GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner 6
• GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner 7
• GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner 8
• GFI LANguard Security Event Log Monitor 4
• GFI LANguard Security Event Log Monitor 5
• GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP 11
• GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP 12
• GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP 14
• GFI MailSecurity for Exchange/SMTP 10
• GFI Network Server Monitor 7

Article ID: KBID001475

Query keywords: msde

Microsoft MSDE does not include a user management utility. The only tool that is provided with Microsoft MSDE 2000 (Desktop Engine) is the ‘osql’ utility.

This utility is located in the MSSQL\Bin folder. To change the ‘sa’ account password proceed as follows:

1. Open Command prompt.
2. Browse to the ‘osql’ utility folder.
3. Type in the following command:
   osql -E-q "EXEC sp_password NULL,'new password','sa'" 
4. Wait until you get a password change confirmation.

Related Links:

• How to use osql utility: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q325003
• How to change passwords using osql utility and sp_password stored procedure: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/tsqlref/ts_sp_pa-pz_5x44.asp