Cisco erase nvram or erase startup-config doesn't work in GNS3

[write_erase]

According to this article, I can delete the current startup configuration files and return the router to its factory default settings with the `erase nvram:` and `reload` command.

https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/cisco-ios-cookbook/0596527225/ch01s06.html

R1#erase ?
/all Erase all files(in NVRAM)
/no-squeeze-reserve-space Do not reserve space for squeeze operation
flash: Filesystem to be erased
nvram: Filesystem to be erased
pram: Filesystem to be erased
slot0: Filesystem to be erased
startup-config Erase contents of configuration memory

R1#erase nvram: ?
<cr>

R1#erase nvram:
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration files! Continue? [confirm]
[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
R1#
*Mar 1 00:07:24.891: %SYS-7-NV_BLOCK_INIT: Initialized the geometry of nvram
R1#
R1#reload
Proceed with reload? [confirm]

I also tried `erase startup-config` and `reload`

The problem is nothing happens after that.

[Leo Laohoo]

No one uses this anymore.
"wr erase" is what everyone use "in the wild".

[write_erase]

"wr erase" also doesn't work. Basically I'm getting similar output as "erase nvram" or "erase startup-config"

Nothing happens after "reload"

[Leo Laohoo]

Wait ... Is this a "real" Cisco router/switch or is this a simulator?

[write_erase]

This is 3725 in GNS3

R1#sh ver | i Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS Software, 3700 Software (C3725-ADVENTERPRISEK9-M), Version 12.4(15)T7, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
R1#

[Leo Laohoo]

Simulators have different (very) behaviour.
The command "wr erase" may not work and the old (and Cisco accepted) command of "delete startup-config" may need to be used.

[write_erase]

R1#wr erase
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration files! Continue? [confirm]
[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
R1#

R1#delete startup-config
Delete filename [startup-config]?
Delete flash:startup-config? [confirm]
%Error deleting flash:startup-config (No device available)
R1#

[Martin L]

what device and what IOS version ?

[David Calvillo · Accepted solution]

Please check if your flash is alright

R1# dir flash:/

If it is prompted something like this:

%Error opening flash:/ (No device available)

Means that the flash memory is broken. In GNS3 i had an issue with a Dynamips Router that  had that problem, so i better used IOSv Routers.