Unable to Open Demo Database and Login Failed for User ACTADMIN Error when Creating Database

[pprivon]

ACT Version: ACT! Premium v20

Database Version: SQL Server 2008R2

Operating System: Windows Server 2008R2

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I followed the instructions for setting up the ACT7 instance on an existing SQL Server 2008R2 installation. I then installed ACT! Premium v20 on the server. I was able to launch ACT! and connect to the Demo Database. I then went to create a new database and tried using the actadmin username and password but got a message that the Login failed for user 'ACTADMIN'. I have admin rights to the SQL Server so I went ahead and changed the password for ACTADMIN to something I knew and then went back to set up a new database. I also checked and couldn't log in to the ACT7 instance using the username sa so I changed that password and ran the "SecurityCmdLnApp.exe PASSWORD". 

Now I get the messages "Login failed for user 'ACTADMIN'" followed by the message "An attempt was made to access the framework without having logged on to a database. Please log on to a database first." 

I then went to Open/Share Database, selected the ACT2018Demo database and pressed the "Open Database" button and I get a blank console very quickly (can't even get a screenshot of it) and am returned to the Welcome! screen.

What do I need to do to resolve this issue?

I have multiple instances of SQL Server running on this machine. I also would like to avoid an uninstall/reinstall since that requires a server reboot and I only have windows to reboot on weekends. 

[JonTaylor · Accepted solution]

I'm unclear what you meant when you mentioned trying to create a database with the actadmin login? When creating a new database you should be able to set the credentials you want to use to log in.

Logging in to an Act! database using Act, is not the same as logging in to the database instance via SQL. Act uses it's own credential system which is separate for each database. You can create and edit users/credentials from within Act in Tools > Manage Users.

Perhaps I've misunderstood though - and the error messages you're getting do indicate an issue with the applications SQL credentials.

The best solution, which will help resolve any underlying cause for the initial issue - as well as reset the ACTADMIN and SA passwords correctly would be to do the following:


1) Go to this KB: http://kb.act.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36794 - At the bottom of the article there is an attached "ResetSQL.bat", download this - and "Run as Admin".
When prompted to "Turn off Password Policy" choose "Y" (this is temporary while the batch file runs, and is required) - then do the same when prompted to reset SQL password. This will reset the sa account password, and automatically run the securityCmdLnApp application to connect the new password to Act!


2) Go to this KB: http://kb.act.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/37665 - Again, download the "SQLUSERS.bat" file at the bottom of the article. Run this as Admin again, and press any key when prompted (this will happen several times before this finishes. This should recreate and reconfigure the core Act SQL accounts (like ACTADMIN).


It's important to run these file as admin - or you may get errors like "Operating System Error 5".

Hopefully, this should resolve your issue - let me know if you run into any unexpected errors, or if this doesn't resolve the problem.

[JonTaylor · Accepted solution]

I'm unclear what you meant when you mentioned trying to create a database with the actadmin login? When creating a new database you should be able to set the credentials you want to use to log in.

Logging in to an Act! database using Act, is not the same as logging in to the database instance via SQL. Act uses it's own credential system which is separate for each database. You can create and edit users/credentials from within Act in Tools > Manage Users.

Perhaps I've misunderstood though - and the error messages you're getting do indicate an issue with the applications SQL credentials.

The best solution, which will help resolve any underlying cause for the initial issue - as well as reset the ACTADMIN and SA passwords correctly would be to do the following:


1) Go to this KB: http://kb.act.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36794 - At the bottom of the article there is an attached "ResetSQL.bat", download this - and "Run as Admin".
When prompted to "Turn off Password Policy" choose "Y" (this is temporary while the batch file runs, and is required) - then do the same when prompted to reset SQL password. This will reset the sa account password, and automatically run the securityCmdLnApp application to connect the new password to Act!


2) Go to this KB: http://kb.act.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/37665 - Again, download the "SQLUSERS.bat" file at the bottom of the article. Run this as Admin again, and press any key when prompted (this will happen several times before this finishes. This should recreate and reconfigure the core Act SQL accounts (like ACTADMIN).


It's important to run these file as admin - or you may get errors like "Operating System Error 5".

Hopefully, this should resolve your issue - let me know if you run into any unexpected errors, or if this doesn't resolve the problem.

[emanuela]

Hello

I am getting the same error when I try to create a new database. I have ACTPRO21 just bought in January

What do you mean by RUN as Administrator ? Only me accessing my laptop and only me using ACT

I have Windows 10

Thx for your help

[Richee]

Run the .bat files as admin

Right click the file then select run as administrator

[emanuela]

Hi, thank you for your help. I have run the reset as administrator and it is all ok, but when I run the SQL isers it fails because the server is in single user mode and only one administrator can connect. ???? Thx for your help again

Emanuela

[Melville-Schellmann]

The easiest way to get rid of that problem is to uninstall an reinstall the ACT7 SQL Server Instance.

[emanuela]

Thank yuo for your reply

But how do I do that please ?

Regards
Emanuela

[emanuela]

Thank you, I have found but still having problems unfortunately

Thx Emanuela

[emanuela]

Hello

I have followed your instructions but I cannot execute the SQLUSERS as it says that only one administration at times?

I have bought the ACT21proV.21 in January

I have managed to use my old database but I cannot create new databases as it says login failed for user ACTADMIN

I have uninstalled the program

I have uninstalled the SQL ACT7 2014

then reinstalled the program, but I still get the same error

Quite frustrating given that this is  a new software and I have fully paid for it

Thank you for your help

Kind regards
Emanuela

[Melville-Schellmann]

Things are starting to look too complicated for a solution by sending posts to and fro...
Try to get help from SPI support or an ACC in France.