title: sql server 2012: cannot alter the login sa
body: <p>I'm trying to create a database on my local machine using SSMS version 11.0.2100.60. I've run the application as administrator, logged in using Windows authentication, and I've added MYDOMAIN\my-username to the Logins. However if I try to create a db with this login I get the message</p>
  <pre><code>CREATE DATABASE permission denied in database 'master'. 
  (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 262)
  </code></pre>
  <p>If I try to add the privelage dbcreator to my user, I get the following error.</p>
  <pre><code>User does not have permission to perform this action. 
  (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 15247)
  </code></pre>
  <p>I can't log in as sa as I don't know/remember the password (is there a preset default?), and if I try to change the password I get the message:</p>
  <pre><code>Cannot alter the login 'sa', because it does not exist or you do not have permission. 
  (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 15151)
  </code></pre>
  <p>Finally I note that the account 'sa' is disabled, and if I try to enable it I get the same error as before. Is there any way around this or do I need to re-install?</p>
  <p>Version info:</p>
  <pre><code>Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio                      11.0.2100.60
  Microsoft Analysis Services Client Tools                        11.0.2100.60
  Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC)                     6.2.9200.16384
  Microsoft MSXML                     3.0 4.0 6.0 
  Microsoft Internet Explorer                     9.10.9200.16635
  Microsoft .NET Framework                        4.0.30319.18051
  Operating System                        6.2.9200
  </code></pre>