I can't reset cisco switch 2960x series from the flash

[b.souf]

Hi Brothers,

I faced an issue with my Switch 2960x series, I did many steps to boot by clear configuration but without any result.

Also when I check my files in flash I found many files, I don't know if this normal or not.

switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/

2   -rwx 3639           <date> config.old
3   -rwx 34               <date> pnp-tech-time
4   -rwx 11112         <date> pnp-tech-discovery-summary
5   -rwx 676             <date> vlan.dat
6   -rwx 9519           <date> config.text
7   -rwx 24457216   <date> c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin
8   drwx 512             <date> dc_profile_dir
10   -rwx 1924         <date> private-config.text
11   -rwx 2673         <date> config.text.backup
12   -rwx 1914         <date> private-config.text.backup
13   -rwx 2072         <date> multiple-fs 

As I said before when I'd follow the steps below:

https://www.sunsetlearning.com/password-recovery-steps-for-cisco-catalyst-switches/

I see this message during boot:

switch: boot
Loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Loading "flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...Verifying image flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Image passed digital signature verification
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

The idea just, I want to recover the password that's it, can someone give me a hand, please?

[balaji.bandi]

if you  are you trying to reset the password  - the document should and follow steps should work :

• switch: flash _init
• switch: load_helper
• switch: dir flash:

       switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.text.old

       switch :boot flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin

follow rest of the document as per instruction.

Once password working.

show boot output to look and suggest to right boot image to work.

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@b.souf wrote:

6   -rwx 9519           <date> config.text

---

If you followed the instructions, then how come the flash still has "config.text" present?

[b.souf]

@Leo Laohoo 

Actually,

I followed all of these steps below:

• switch: flash _init
• switch: dir flash:
• switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.text.old
• switch: boot

But, After Boot Command and when I get this error message:

===========

Loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.

Loading "flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...Verifying image flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin....................

===============================

I have checked again in the flash directory I found all of these files:

switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/

2 -rwx 3639            <date> config.old
3 -rwx 34                <date> pnp-tech-time
4 -rwx 11112          <date> pnp-tech-discovery-summary
5 -rwx 676              <date> vlan.dat
6 -rwx 24457216    <date> c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin
7 drwx 512              <date> dc_profile_dir
9 -rwx 9519             <date> config.text.old
10 -rwx 2673           <date> config.text.backup
11 -rwx 1914           <date> private-config.text.backup
12 -rwx 1924          <date> private-config.text
13 -rwx 9519           <date> config.text
14 -rwx 9519           <date> config.old
15 -rwx 2072           <date> multiple-fs

So, I have deleted the config.text.old & config.old,because I saw that the switch, not booted from both files.

""There is any solution from these commands:

switch: ?
? -- Present list of available commands
boot -- Load and boot an executable image
cat -- Concatenate (type) file(s)
copy -- Copy a file
delete -- Delete file(s)
dir -- List files in directories
flash_init -- Initialize flash filesystem(s)
format -- Format a filesystem
fsck -- Check filesystem consistency
help -- Present list of available commands
memory -- Present memory heap utilization information
mkdir -- Create dir(s)
more -- Concatenate (display) file(s)
ping -- Send ICMP ECHO_REQUEST packets to a network host
rename -- Rename a file
reset -- Reset the system
rmdir -- Delete empty dir(s)
set -- Set or display environment variables
sleep -- Pause (sleep) for a specified number of seconds
type -- Concatenate (type) file(s)
unset -- Unset one or more environment variables
-- MORE --
version -- Display boot loader version

[balaji.bandi]

if done this steps :

        switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.text.old

        switch : dir  ( you should not see config.txt file, then issue below boot.

       switch :boot flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin    <<-- what is the outcome of this command issue ?

[b.souf]

@balaji.bandi thank you for your response.

I will try with these commands again, and I'll get back to you soon regarding each command.

[b.souf]

@balaji.bandi 

You can see the logs of all the steps which you said above:

=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= PuTTY log 2020.12.31 10:04:48 =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

switch: dir

List of filesystems currently registered:

bs[1]:     (read-only)
flash[9]:     (read-write)
xmodem[10]: (read-only)
null[11]:     (read-write)
tftp[13]:     (read-only)


switch: flash_init
Initializing Flash...
mifs[5]: 10 files, 1 directories
mifs[5]: Total bytes : 1806336
mifs[5]: Bytes used : 690688
mifs[5]: Bytes available : 1115648
mifs[5]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
mifs[6]: 2 files, 1 directories
mifs[6]: Total bytes : 3870720
mifs[6]: Bytes used : 1213440
mifs[6]: Bytes available : 2657280
mifs[6]: mifs fsck took 1 seconds.
mifs[7]: 5 files, 1 directories
mifs[7]: Total bytes : 258048
mifs[7]: Bytes used : 8192
mifs[7]: Bytes available : 249856
mifs[7]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
mifs[8]: 5 files, 1 directories
mifs[8]: Total bytes : 258048
mifs[8]: Bytes used : 8192
mifs[8]: Bytes available : 249856
mifs[8]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
-- MORE --
mifs[9]: 11 files, 2 directories
mifs[9]: Total bytes : 122185728
mifs[9]: Bytes used : 24899584
mifs[9]: Bytes available : 97286144
mifs[9]: mifs fsck took 25 seconds.
...done Initializing Flash.

switch: dir

List of filesystems currently registered:

bs[1]:     (read-only)
flash[9]:     (read-write)
xmodem[10]: (read-only)
null[11]:     (read-write)
tftp[13]:     (read-only)


switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/

2 -rwx 3639        <date> conf.oldig.old
3 -rwx 34            <date> pnp-tech-time
4 -rwx 11112      <date> pnp-tech-discovery-summary
5 -rwx 676          <date> vlan.dat
6 -rwx 9519        <date> config.text
7 -rwx 24457216 <date> c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin
8 drwx 512         <date> dc_profile_dir
10 -rwx 1924     <date> private-config.text
11 -rwx 2673     <date> config.text.backup
12 -rwx 1914     <date> private-config.text.backup
13 -rwx 2072     <date> multiple-fs

95006K bytes available (24316K bytes used)

switch: rename flash:co, nfig.text flash:config.text.old

switch: dir

List of filesystems currently registered:

bs[1]:       (read-only)
flash[9]:     (read-write)
xmodem[10]:     (read-only)
null[11]:     (read-write)
tftp[13]:     (read-only)


switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/

2 -rwx 3639            <date> conf.oldig.old
3 -rwx 34                <date> pnp-tech-time
4 -rwx 11112          <date> pnp-tech-discovery-summary
5 -rwx 676              <date> vlan.dat
6 -rwx 9519             <date> config.text.old
7 -rwx 24457216     <date> c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin
8 drwx 512               <date> dc_profile_dir
10 -rwx 1924           <date> private-config.text
11 -rwx 2673           <date> config.text.backup
12 -rwx 1914           <date> private-config.text.backup
13 -rwx 2072           <date> multiple-fs

95006K bytes available (24316K bytes used)

switch: boot flash:

switch: boot flash:c2960x-universalk9mz.1524.E7.bin

Loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin [

D/"...flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin



[D/: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin

/"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Boot process failed...

switch: boot
Loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Loading "flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin"...Verifying image flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin...........
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
Image passed digital signature verification
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

File "flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin" uncompressed and installed, entry point: 0x3000
executing...

Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted
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

Cisco IOS Software, C2960X Software (C2960X-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(4)E7, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2018 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 18-Sep-18 13:07 by prod_rel_team
Initializing flashfs...

What do you think about this?

[balaji.bandi]

the command was this

switch :boot flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-4.E7.bin

any way the switch try to boot with that image here -

what will be outcome after this ?

Compiled Tue 18-Sep-18 13:07 by prod_rel_team
Initializing flashfs...

did the switch get prompt ? or stuck there.

Please also confirm - have you tried any time to upgrade IOS ?

if stuck there, then something wrong  with the image, get the new Image (format the flash - make sure you offload your configuration before you formating flash and loading the fresh image )

let us know the outcome.

[b.souf]

@balaji.bandi 

The outcome after this, I have dropped the file log you can see it.

Compiled Tue 18-Sep-18 13:07 by prod_rel_team
Initializing flashfs...

Did the switch get prompt? or stuck there.

-->There are two switches on stacking.

Please also confirm - have you tried any time to upgrade IOS?

-->No, I didn't try to Upgrade IOS, but during this week I have tried to recover the password and then I found myself in this current case.

If stuck there, then something wrong with the image, get the new Image (format the flash - make sure you offload your configuration before you formatting flash and loading the fresh image ).

--> HOw I can do that, Please?

[balaji.bandi]

Ok switch is booted  waiting for your input -  connect the console to other switch in the stack member (that is master).

Dec 31 10:38:25 UTC: %CFGMGR-4-SLAVE_WRITING_STARTUP_CFG: only master can do that (Switch-1)

Look like you are doing in the wrong switch the procedure you doing,  so make sure you connect the MASTER Switch  console do the steps as suggested.

[b.souf]

@balaji.bandi 

I have connected from the Master Switch2, and I have followed the same steps again.

Please, you can see the attached file.

FYI: During configuration at the flash, the switches between them happens something strange, for example, I connect to Switch2 since it is the Master one but I see that the Slave Switch1 turns on the light of led MAST (Master)

I hope I explained well.

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

I may not made clear in the past post, when it is stack - doing it in master does mean that, remove other switch from stack cable - make MAster switch as standalone make password recovery and add new password and test all working.

Add member switch back in to stack and test.

make sure you make the correct switch number and priority so - right switch can become always master.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

If you are going to do password recovery of a switch, it would be a good idea to make sure the switch is not (still) a member of a stack.  

[b.souf]

@Leo Laohoo 

In this case, can I unplug the stack module between them and proceed to recover the password one by one.

[b.souf]

Dear @balaji.bandi @Leo Laohoo 

Really great team.

Thanks a lot for your support,

I have recovered my password when I disconnect the two switches and started by following the steps below:

https://www.sunsetlearning.com/password-recovery-steps-for-cisco-catalyst-switches/

Except for that, because it brought me back to the same issue:

• Switch#copy flash:config.text system:running-config
• Source filename [config.text]?
• Destination filename [running-config]?
• Press Enter to copy

Everything it's ok now, so the solution was to separate the switches without the stack module and then started the recover password.