If you're using the Canadian version:

Merlindog said:

1/  Is the password protection embedded in the backed up data?

Yes.  It's encrypted into a data table 'tUser', and that data is inside the database file, which is in the database folder that ends with (companyName).SAJ, so it is backed up / restored along with the rest of the company data.

Merlindog said:

2/  Can I open a new company in the program, give it a different name and import the old data to it?

No.   The data is in hundreds of tables, but all in one database file, and there is only one database file. 

(until the file reaches 2 TeraBytes in size, then there could be a second one 'ibdata2'.  But I've never seen of a Sage 50 file that has reached even 1/1000th that size)

Merlindog said:

3/  Do I need to re-install the program and then import the old data to it?

No, it wouldn't do any good, the passwords are inside a table that is inside the data file.   The data and the passwords are stored in one place.

If you can't open the restored data with your password, then it's either a different password, or it's not a Sage 50 Canadian data file, or it's from an incompatible version / edition.  I've used a password cracking program called 'Simply Accounting Password Recovery' some years ago, it's probably still around, and probably some certified Sage consultants can do it for a fee if they have it / if you are their client.

If you're using the U.S. ('Peachtree') version of Sage 50, the above information does not apply at all.   The passwords work quite differently, they're in a separate file / table, and you may be able to call Sage support to have them clear / reset your data.

If you're using the Canadian version:

Merlindog said:

1/  Is the password protection embedded in the backed up data?

Yes.  It's encrypted into a data table 'tUser', and that data is inside the database file, which is in the database folder that ends with (companyName).SAJ, so it is backed up / restored along with the rest of the company data.

Merlindog said:

2/  Can I open a new company in the program, give it a different name and import the old data to it?

No.   The data is in hundreds of tables, but all in one database file, and there is only one database file. 

(until the file reaches 2 TeraBytes in size, then there could be a second one 'ibdata2'.  But I've never seen of a Sage 50 file that has reached even 1/1000th that size)

Merlindog said:

3/  Do I need to re-install the program and then import the old data to it?

No, it wouldn't do any good, the passwords are inside a table that is inside the data file.   The data and the passwords are stored in one place.

If you can't open the restored data with your password, then it's either a different password, or it's not a Sage 50 Canadian data file, or it's from an incompatible version / edition.  I've used a password cracking program called 'Simply Accounting Password Recovery' some years ago, it's probably still around, and probably some certified Sage consultants can do it for a fee if they have it / if you are their client.

If you're using the U.S. ('Peachtree') version of Sage 50, the above information does not apply at all.   The passwords work quite differently, they're in a separate file / table, and you may be able to call Sage support to have them clear / reset your data.