The sa Password and Changing Windows Security

Microsoft has reported a SQL Server 2000 problem that blanks out the sa password when you change Windows security. If you select the SQL Server and Windows Security Authentication option when you install SQL Server 2000, you have to enter a password for the sa account. However, if you select the Windows-only option for security authentication and later change the authentication to the SQL Server and Windows mode, the sa password is blank. To work around this error, set up a password for the sa account before changing the security mode from Windows-only to SQL Server and Windows. SQL Server will then keep the password setup for the sa account. You can use the sp_password stored procedure to set up a password for the sa account. Visit http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q274/7/73.asp?FR=1 to learn more about this problem.