7961G-GE v02 continuously loads term61.default.loads twice, then reboots

[UNIXdude01]

I recently purchased a used Cisco 7961G-GE V02 to use on my Asterisk server.  I have dhcpd and tftpd setup on the same FreeBSD box as the Asterisk server.  Watching the tftpd log file, the 7961G-GE requests the term61.default.loads file twice, pauses for a few minutes and reboots.  I have attempted both a soft (123456789*0#) and hard (3491672850*#) reset.  After either type of reset, the 7961G-GE continues the cyle.  After the first hard reset, the screen has been blank ever since.  I have tried the following firmware files:

SIP:

  9.4.2SR1, 9.3.1SR4, 9.2.3, 9.0.2SR1, 8.5.4, 8.4.4, 8.2.1

SCCP:

  9.4.2SR1, 9.3.1SR4, 9.2.3, 9.1.1SR1, 9.0.3, 8.5.4, 8.4.4, 8.4.1SR2, 8.3.5, 8.2.2SR4, 8.2.1, 8.0.3, 7.0.2SR1

All have failed in the same manner.  For each attempt, I delete all the files in my /tftpboot dir, then unzip the firmware file into /tftpboot, copy XMLDefault.cnf.xml and SEP<MACaddr>.cnf.xml files and allow the 7961G-GE try multiple times.

When I first powered on the phone, it was able to boot, but I carelessly attempted to update the firmware to SIP9.4.2SR1 without checking the current version.  Before resetting (soft first, then hard reset), the 7961G-GE did attempt to load the new firmware on the update screen.  I was able to watch the update screen load the term61.default.loads file, then watched "error" popup in the dialogue box on the screen for 0.5 second, then another attempt to load term61.default.loads, then it would reboot.

The only other clue I have as to the previous version is the inital splash screen stated "2002 - 2005".  When I unzipped the 7.0.2SR1 fireware files, I noticed it had "TERM61.default.loads" instead of "term61.default.loads", so I'm guessing that the 7961G-GE is at least v8.x.x - I'm sure someone will on here will point out if this assumption is incorrect.  The tftpd log file showed the correct DCHP IP address for the 7961G-GE attempting to load the file "term61.default.loads" and errored with "file not found".

I know this setup is functional as I also have a 7941G-GE, which successfully upgraded to SIP9.4.2SR1 in this same environment.  I used the same SEP<MACaddr>.cnf.xml file, but modified it for the 7961G-GE.  I was able to watch as each of the firmware files was requested and successfully loaded by the 7941G-GE, so I know the environment is good.  Since I have only seen requests for "term61.default.loads" in the tftpd log file when I attempt to boot the 7961G-GE, I do not think either of the XML files have even been touched by the phone.

Any suggestions on what to attempt next?  Do I now have a doorstop/paperweight?

Thank you in advance for your help

-Burton

[Terry Cheema · Accepted solution]

How about trying to setup TFTP on your PC and downloading a fresh zip file for any firmware, unzip and make sure all files are placed into the TFTP root directory. If you are unsure just Google you will find plenty of posts on step by step instruction to setup a TFTP server on your PC.

-Terry

[UNIXdude01]

Terry,

Thank you for your reply. 

The list of firmware versions above are all of the different versions I have tried on my TFTP server on FreeBSD.  I have confirmed the MD5 sums for each of the firmware download zip files and confirmed the MD5 sums match the MD5 sum posted on the Cisco firmware download page.  If I delete all the files in /tftpboot (the directory my tftpd server is configure to use), then unzip cmterm-7941_7961-sip.9-4-2SR1-1.zip, copy the correct SEP<MACaddr>.cnf.xml file, disconnect the 7961G-GE and plug in my 7941G-GE into the same network port, the 7941G-GE boots correctly, loads the SEP<mac>.cnf.xml and successfully connects to my Asterisk server.  There are no other IP phones connected to the system at this time.

Here's what I'm seeing on the tftpd log files for the 7961G-GE:

May 25 17:59:07 fbsd tftpd[17099]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 17:59:07 fbsd tftpd[17099]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 17:59:16 fbsd tftpd[17101]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 17:59:16 fbsd tftpd[17101]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:02:12 fbsd tftpd[17125]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 18:02:12 fbsd tftpd[17125]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:02:20 fbsd tftpd[17127]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 18:02:20 fbsd tftpd[17127]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:05:16 fbsd tftpd[17143]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 18:05:16 fbsd tftpd[17143]: Mode: 'octet'

Here's what I see in the same logfile when I boot the 7941G-GE:

May 25 18:08:28 fbsd tftpd[17152]: Filename: 'CTLSEPxxxx.tlv'
May 25 18:08:28 fbsd tftpd[17152]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:08:28 fbsd tftpd[17152]: 172.21.151.78: read request for CTLSEPxxxtlv: File not found
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17154]: Filename: 'ITLSEPxxxxtlv'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17154]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17154]: 172.21.151.78: read request for ITLSEP0xxxx.tlv: File not found
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17156]: Filename: 'ITLFile.tlv'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17156]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17156]: 172.21.151.78: read request for ITLFile.tlv: File not found
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17158]: Filename: 'SEPxxxx.cnf.xml'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17158]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:08:29 fbsd tftpd[17158]: 172.21.151.78: read request for //SEPxxxx.cnf.xml: success
May 25 18:09:01 fbsd tftpd[17161]: Filename: 'English_United_States/mk-sip.jar'
May 25 18:09:01 fbsd tftpd[17161]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:09:01 fbsd tftpd[17161]: 172.21.151.78: read request for English_United_States/mk-sip.jar: File not found
May 25 18:09:11 fbsd tftpd[17163]: Filename: '/g3-tones.xml'
May 25 18:09:11 fbsd tftpd[17163]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:09:11 fbsd tftpd[17163]: 172.21.151.78: read request for /g3-tones.xml: File not found
May 25 18:09:40 fbsd tftpd[17166]: Filename: 'dialplan.xml'
May 25 18:09:40 fbsd tftpd[17166]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 18:09:40 fbsd tftpd[17166]: 172.21.151.78: read request for dialplan.xml: File not found

I replaced the real MACaddr with "xxxx".

I would like to know what other version of the firmware should I try next?  What is the absolute minimum version of the firmware that should work for a 7961G-GE?

-Burton

EDIT:  Here's the logfile entries from when /tftpboot was empty and the 7961G-GE made an attempt:

May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16157]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16157]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16157]: 172.21.151.79: read request for term61.default.loads: File not found
May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16159]: Filename: 'term61.default.loads'
May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16159]: Mode: 'octet'
May 25 14:53:23 fbsd tftpd[16159]: 172.21.151.79: read request for term61.default.loads: File not found

[UNIXdude01]

Terry,

I was convinced your solution would not work, but I decided to try anyway.  I used existing firmware files I had and was able to successfully bring this phone back to life.

I discovered it had firmware version SCCP41.8-3-4 installed, well at least it had jar41sccp.8-3-4-16.sbn, cvm41sccp.8-3-4-16.sbn, etc loaded.  I was able to upgrade to SCCP41.8-5-4 and then finally upgrade to SIP41.9-4-2SR1.  It is now successfully connected to my Asterisk server and appears to be functional.

Thank you to Terry and William for your suggestions.

-Burton

[Terry Cheema]

Good one mate - glad to know its working! I was convinced though it would work as it was actively trying to look for files instead of being dead which is the worst case.

See you around.

-Terry
 

[Wilson Samuel]

Just wondering if you have a Cisco Router? If yes, then I  believe it would be far easier to do a firmware upgrade using CME than on Asterisk.

More over, if you have a PC (or workstation) that can support VMWare Workstation or even ESXi, load the CCM 8.0 and do it that way..

I think it will be far easier for any of us to help you out on CCM / CME than Asterisk server or any other non"Cisco" method.

HTH

[UNIXdude01]

William,

Thank you for your response.  I do not have a Cisco router or access to a CCM / CME environment.

From a troubleshooting perspective, I do not feel that Asterisk or lack of CCM / CME is part of the issue at this point in time.  Right now, then phone is not happy with **any** firmware, both SIP and SCCP I attempt to load using tftp.  There should be nothing special that Cisco is doing with tftp that can not be replicated in a non-Cisco environment.  The phone has a blank screen and continually loads the term61.default.loads file, but does not proceed after loading the file.