What does changing a SOLIDWORKS PDM ‘sa’ password affect?

If the SOLIDWORKS PDM sa password is lost or forgotten it can be reset using these steps.  Whenever there is a change to the account password, there is a few places within the vault settings where it needs to be updated:

Archive Server Settings

• On the archive server host, open the Archive Server Configuration Tool
  • Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Archive Server Configuration

Archive Server Configuration

• Tools > Default Settings

Archive Server Default Settings

• Login > ‘SQL Login’ > Change > Update the password > Hit ‘OK’
  • Note; The password fields are always blank, regardless if there was password previously

Change SQL User Login

• Still within the Archive Server Settings…This Computer > Archives > Right-Click [Vault name] > Properties

Vault Properties

• Login > IF ‘Use default SQL login’ is unchecked > Change > Update Password > OK > Apply

Set SQL Login

• Repeat for all vaults listed.

Database Server Service

• On the Database server host, open the Database Server Configuration Tool
  • Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Database Server Configuration

Database Server Configuration

• Update the password > OK

Enter Password

Lists (Optional)

This step only applies if you have the list data type set to; From SQL Database.

• Administration Tool > [Vault Name] > Lists (for cards) > [List Name] > Update Password

Lists for cards

Note: By default when SQL Server is installed, the ‘sa’ login is created which has full access to all databases on the SQL Server and this is what’s most commonly used.  It is possible the vault could be specified to use a alternate account with db_owner access.

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