Is it possible as an Administrator to gain access to a SQL Server 2008 instance without changing any passwords?

Question

I have administrative access on our network, but I don't manage the installation of all servers or software. On some of our machines instances of SQL Server 2008 have been installed which I need to be able to access, but since my account hasn't been explicitly granted a login, I can't get into.

Is there a way to get into the database without changing anyone's password (e.g. I could solve this by changing the password of the user who installed the instance, assuming they've set themselves up as admin, and then logging on as them, but I don't want to have to do this).

I'm going to be a bit boring and old fashioned and say "Ask the person who does have admin access to add you". — Rob Moir, Jan 04 '11 at 11:05
We have an external company managing aspects of our network and it's they that have installed some of the SQL Server instances. Getting a request like this acted upon is not always straightforward or fast. — adhocgeek, Jan 04 '11 at 11:31
@Robert, good advice in general but there are exceptions. I have a similar issue because it's an inherited system and nobody currently with the company even knows who installed SQL Server on the machine. — John Gardeniers, Jan 04 '11 at 11:51
@John - you're right but in those cases the single user mode trick should work. — Rob Moir, Jan 04 '11 at 12:06

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:14

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check this earlier post, it may be helpful. If SQL is not in production and you are authorized to start or stop it, then you can add yourself to the SQL engine as admin, if you are admin on the machine.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:14

Community

1

answered Jan 04 '11 at 10:47

yrushka

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I've tried that now and it doesn't work. I still can't login even in single user mode. – adhocgeek Jan 04 '11 at 11:05
are you part of administrators group? If yes and still doesn't work, what error you have? – yrushka Jan 04 '11 at 11:20
Yes, I am. The error I get is simply "Login failed for user..." – adhocgeek Jan 04 '11 at 11:29
just a guess: run cmd.exe console as administrator (C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe --> right click --> run as administrator) Probably you are facing the UAC problem. – yrushka Jan 04 '11 at 12:33
. That turned out to be the issue - all sorted now, thanks. I really, really, really, really, really hate UAC. – adhocgeek Jan 04 '11 at 16:34
glad it worked! yep... it is a pain the UAC. It can be disabled though. – yrushka Jan 04 '11 at 17:15

Is it possible as an Administrator to gain access to a SQL Server 2008 instance without changing any passwords?

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