3550 will not finish boot.

[mfreeborn]

I have a 3550 with a bad configuration. System stops at Press Return to get started. I press return nothing happens, no login prompts. I tried the the recovery procedures by reloading new OS via xmodem, copy completes but original config still bad. While at the switch: prompt dir of flash: gives error can't stat permissions denied. How can I get this switch back to factory defaults?

[Bobby Thekkekandam]

you can wipe out the config by using the following procedure, documented here:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/c3550/12225se/3550hig/35trbl.htm#wp1030337

Step 1 Press and hold the Mode button.

The switch LEDs begin blinking after about 2 seconds.

Step 2 Continue holding down the Mode button. The LEDs stop blinking after 8 additional seconds, and then the switch reboots.

The switch now behaves like an unconfigured switch.