How to remove instance of database engine and reinstall another instance

Question

Situation is that a system admin has left without passing on admin credentials for an instance of MS SQL Server.  It is configured to use SQL Server authentication and the admins' id is the only one listed with all access.  I'm not really interested in the content of the db just want to remove the instance and create a new one on that server useing window authentication.  I'm presuming it is not possible to become the owner of the db since I don't know the password used by the current owner.

Can someone give guidance?  Thanks for any help, Roscoe

Answer 1

Hi,

If you are local administrator on the SQL box, you can take over the instance by adding yourself to the sysadmin server role. you need to start the instance in single user mode with the -m switch. Please take a look in this article: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188236.aspx

 I hope it helps.

Janos

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Answer 2

Hi,

In addition to Jason's suggestion, you may also follow the steps in this blog to  add yourself as a sysadmin in SQL Server provided you have local admin rights on the box:

http://sqlserver-help.com/2012/02/08/help-i-lost-sa-password-and-no-one-has-system-administrator-sysadmin-permission-what-should-i-do/

Then you can create additional login etc.. as required.

Alternatively, if you are interested in just removing SQL and re-install, that should be easy task. Please tell us the version of SQL Server so that we provide you with the related links. In general, all the standalone (non-clustered) SQL instance can be removed from Control Panel > Add/Remove programs. Here is one such link for SQL 2008 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955499

HTH

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