ok but i have tried completely uninstalling sso and reinstaling but pointing it back to the same old database. During the installation, I did specify a new master password.
after the sso, inventory and vcenter installation, I proceeded to upgrade vcenter 5.1 to a newer vcenter 5.1 installation and it prompted me for the master password.
The master password was not the master password I specified. Its something else. I think its still remembering the old master password.
where is the master password stored? in the DB ?