Rebuilding the Web.config File

This topic will discuss how to take the default web.config file from a new Passwordstate installation, and configure it so the website can communicate with your existing Passwordstate database. This document should only ever be needed if you have a server crash, and do not have a backup of your web.config file.

There are 3 areas in the web.config file which need to be modified, and they are:

• The database connection string
• The SetupStage key
• And the Secret1 and Secret2 keys

Modify Web.Config File

• The following settings need to be updated in the Passwordstate ConnectionString

  • Data Source - this is the host name of your database server. If you have a specific Instance Name for you SQL install as well, this will need to be appended i.e. HostName\SQLExpress
  • User ID - this should be passwordstate_user
  • The password for the passwordstate_user SQL account (if you are not sure of what this password would be, there are instructions below on how to reset this)

• The SetupStage key needs to be set to "Setup Complete"

• The PassiveNode key can be deleted, as this is only used during new installs of Passwordstate, and is removed after the install is complete

• Copy the Secret1 and Secret2 values across from a backup of your previous web.config file if available. If not, during the initial install of Passwordstate you would have been asked export your encryption keys to a password protected zip file - these encryption keys can also be exported anytime from the screen Administration -> Encryption Keys. Note: if you do not have these secrets, it is not possible to recover your system.

Reset Password for Passwordstate_User SQL Account

As you have specified what is most likely a new password for the passwordstate_user SQL Account, you will need to reset this password on your SQL Server. To do this, please follow these instructions - Resetting Password for Passwordstate_User SQL Account