Cisco 3850 cannot abort the boot process

[Lakshan97]

I have Cisco 3850-48P-E V04 switch with a lost password. I have tried to reset the passoword and tried to abort the boot process. but none of the mentioned methods don't abort the process. it keeps booting till the place where we enter username/passwords.

(i have tried with mode button . mode button + reset button)

Booting...Initializing and Testing RAM ++++@@@@####...################################++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@++@@done.
Memory Test Pass!

Base ethernet MAC Address: 88:90:8d:b9:4e:00

Interface GE 0 link down***ERROR: PHY link is down
Initializing Flash...

flashfs[7]: 0 files, 1 directories
flashfs[7]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[7]: Total bytes: 6784000
flashfs[7]: Bytes used: 1024
flashfs[7]: Bytes available: 6782976
flashfs[7]: flashfs fsck took 1 seconds....done Initializing Flash.
Reading full image into memory.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................done
Nova Bundle Image
--------------------------------------
Kernel Address : 0x6042d274
Kernel Size : 0x41884e/4294734
Initramfs Address : 0x60845ac4
Initramfs Size : 0xe778c3/15169731
Compression Format: .mzip

Bootable image at @ ram:0x6042d274
Bootable image segment 0 address range [0x81100000, 0x82140000] is in range [0x80180000, 0x90000000].
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
File "flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.SPA.03.06.05.E.152-2.E5.bin" uncompressed and installed, entry point: 0x8166a600
Loading Linux kernel with entry point 0x8166a600 ...
Bootloader: Done loading app on core_mask: 0xf

### Launching Linux Kernel (flags = 0x5)

All packages are Digitally Signed
Starting System Services

FIPS(NGWC): Flash Key Check : Begin
FIPS(NGWC): Flash Key Check : End, Not Found, FIPS Mode Not Enabled
MCU type = 0 and image name is main_mcu_ucode_bundle_6_2_0.tar
Final tar file: main_mcu_ucode_bundle_6_2_0.tar

Restricted Rights Legend

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subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
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Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph
(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706

[Martin L]

Find documentation and check but if I remember correctly Power off switch; press and hold mode button while power switch on (plug in power) - keep holding mode button for at least 20 seconds 

Regards, ML
**Please Rate All Helpful Responses **

[Lakshan97]

hi Martin, 

I went through the official Doc. none of the methods work. I tried when the switch is on as well.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Lakshan97 wrote:
I have tried to reset the passoword and tried to abort the boot process.

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How?  What processed was used to abort the boot process?  

For "consistency" sake, Cisco has changed how to break into ROMMON if the switches run on IOS-XE.  The old "classic" IOS method of holding down the Mode button no longer works.  

The "new" method is: 

1.  Reconnect the power cord to the switch or the active switch.  
2.  The switch starts the boot process. 
3.  After the line "Primary Rommon Image" appears, press & release the Mode button three (3) times.

---

[Lakshan97]

Hi Leo , 

i am unable to see the line that you have mentioned while the switch boots. (i can see the following only attached with picture)

and i have tried with many ways to simulate a break signal (with the baud rate changing then keep pressing space bar, send special command like break) but none of them allow me to abort the booting process.

[Leo Laohoo]

Then keep press & release the mode button when powering up the switch. 

Do not hold the Mode button down. 

[Lakshan97]

Hi Leo,

tried in that way and no luck with it .