>>>I have just installed a personal edition of SQL Server 2000. The sa user account has a 10 character >>password, as do all the other user accounts that I've created. I can't get the password to change either >>from the user properties or using the stored proc sp_password. It shows succes either way but returns to >>the 10 character mystery password. I have set up the server for both SQL Server and Windows >>authentication.
>>>
>>>Any help appreciated.
>
>>How do you know it returns 10 chars password? Did you find a way to get that back?
>>Cetin
>
>I was counting the stars that would appear in the password text box. I've found out since then that 10 stars appear no matter how long the password is. I also found out that the default passward for sa is no password. Making the default password for the system administrator null seemed so crazy to me that I didn't think to try it!

Yes, it displays stars that has no relation to the actual pwd length to prevent guesses (like NT passwords do).
Having no password for sa and enabling SQL server login is plain crazy. Assign one immediately if you're using SQL server or mixed mode login.
Cetin