Core Issue
The tftpdnld ROM Monitor (ROMmon) recovery procedure must be done in a specific way in order to work properly. Inputting the commands with incorrect syntax or variables causes the procedure to fail.
Resolution
If the tftpdnld ROMmon command recovery procedure fails, verify that the following conditions are met:
- The TFTP server is running.
- The Cisco IOS file is in the root directory of the TFTP server.
- The filesize of the Cisco IOS image being uploaded is correct.
- If using Cisco TFTP Server 1.1, deselect the two check boxes in View > Options for logging and file transfer progress.
- If possible, connect directly to the PC running the TFTP server with a crossover cable.
- The file being uploaded is compatible with hardware and memory requirements.
- If the router has two built-in Ethernet or fast Ethernet interfaces, always use the first interface (usually 0/0). You must use the built-in interface. For example, if a Cisco 1700 series router has a WIC-1ENET card installed, the tftpdnld ROMmon command does not work with that card.
- All variable commands must be upper case. The variable itself is case sensitive as in the case of a filename, as shown in the following example:
rommon11>TFTP_FILE=c2600-i-mz.120-7.T.bin
- TFTP_FILE= must be upper case and c2600-i-mz.120-7.T.bin is case sensitive.
- The DEFAULT_GATEWAY= address should not be the same address as the IP_ADDRESS= variable. This causes the process to fail. Set the DEFAULT_GATEWAY= variable to the address of the TFTP server.
The following example shows how to perform a tftpdnld ROMmon command recovery procedure with a TFTP server at the 10.1.1.2 address, a 255.255.255.0 subnet mask, and a filename of c2600-is-mz.120-7.T.bin.:
rommon 16 > IP_ADDRESS=10.1.1.1
!--- This is the temporary IP address assigned to the router.
rommon 17 > IP_SUBNET_MASK=255.255.255.0
!--- Same as on the TFTP server.
rommon 18 > DEFAULT_GATEWAY=10.1.1.2
!--- Use the IP address of the TFTP server.
rommon 19 > TFTP_SERVER=10.1.1.2
!--- TFTP server's IP address.
rommon 20 > TFTP_FILE=c2600-is-mz.120-7.T.bin
!--- Exact name is case sensitive.
rommon 21 > TFTP_CHECKSUM=0
!--- This prevents checksum errors with earlier 2600 boot ROMs.
rommon 22 > tftpdnld
!--- This command must be lower case.
IP_ADDRESS: 10.1.1.1
IP_SUBNET_MASK: 255.255.255.0
DEFAULT_GATEWAY: 10.1.1.2
TFTP_SERVER: 10.1.1.2
TFTP_FILE: c2600-is-mz.120-7.T.bin
Invoke this command for disaster recovery only.
WARNING: all existing data in all partitions on flash will be lost!
Do you wish to continue? y/n: [n]: y
Receiving c2600-is-mz.120-7.T.bin from 10.1.1.2 !!!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!!
File reception completed.
Copying file c2600-is-mz.120-7.T to flash.
Erasing flash at 0x607c0000
program flash location 0x60440000
rommon 22 >reset
For additional information on the tftpdnld ROMmon command recovery procedure, refer to How to Download a Software Image to a Cisco 2600 via TFTP Using the tftpdnld ROMmon Command.
Problem Type
TFTP Issues
Error message received
When Problem Occurs
During software upgrade
Platform Type
Cisco 1700 Series
Cisco 1800 Series
Cisco 2800 and 3800 series
Cisco 2600 Series
Cisco 800 Series
Error Messages and Warnings
%Error copying tftp
Related Information:
Cisco IOS TFTP Client Cannot Transfer Files Larger than 16MB in Size
