Where is the location of System DSN Password?

[mcfly1204]

I am having an issue with a system running Windows XP Pro. I have created a System DSN, tested the connection successfully, yet the application that uses the System DSN errors out stating that the username exists, but the password is incorrect. I can view the System DSN information in the registry, HKLM\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI\<DSN name>, but I am uncertain where the password is stored. Even if I knew the whereabouts of the password, I would not think it would be in plain text. The user of the system has domain and local admin privileges, and the configuration of the System DSN is typically straightforward as I have never had an issue like this. Any help on this issue would be appreciated.

**edit**
I think I found the answer I was looking for in another thread. When using SQL authentication, the password for the System DSN is not stored. The password needs to be included in the connection string for the application.

[Chr Boc]

Hello,

Yes, include the PASSWORD in your connection string :)

If you're wondering why, it's because the PASSWORD is hashed. Then, SQL authentication compares the hash (passed over a network). If they are a match, you connect :) In this way, the password is kept safe. i.e., it is not clear text.

P.S. There are also ways to keep the password safe inside your code or application configuration file. You could use a SecureString, or the more complicated (albeit safer) encryption in a configuration file. Here is a link to get you started: the language is C#: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/securi...igWinApps.aspx