having problems upgrading Flash Memory on Cisco 2501

hmcdavid · ‎05-26-2004

I want to carry a Cisco 2500 since 4MB Flash and 4MB DRAM to 16MB Flash and 16 MB DRAM, I bought SMART Technologies's memories (one 16MB DRAM Module and two 8MB Flash Module) but when I tried to copy IOS image from TFTP to Flash router shows me the following error "%Error: System Flash write protected" I tried to copy an image to old Flash memory and I didn't have problems. I followed the steps about config-register 0x2102 by 0x2101 but nothing happened, router still shows me the same error. Router boots on RxBoot and looks like it recognize the memories. What can I do?

pswarovsky · ‎05-26-2004

verify type of flash modules with supported types. (sh flash all)

check your boot-rom version.( sh ver)

With earlier versions not all simm's would supported.

If you not use "flash-load-helper" flash must be partitioned.

kind regards peter

hmcdavid · ‎05-26-2004

Router(boot)#sh flash all

System flash directory:

No files in System flash

[0 bytes used, 16777216 available, 16777216 total]

16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

Chip Bank Code Size Name

1 1 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F0

2 1 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

3 1 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

4 1 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

1 2 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

2 2 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

3 2 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

4 2 89A0 2048KB INTEL 28F016SA

Router(boot)#sh ver

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software

IOS (tm) 3000 Bootstrap Software (IGS-RXBOOT), Version 10.2(8a), RELEASE SOFTWAR

E (fc1)

Compiled Tue 24-Oct-95 15:46 by mkamson

Image text-base: 0x01020000, data-base: 0x00001000

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 5.2(8a), RELEASE SOFTWARE

Router uptime is 5 minutes

System restarted by power-on

Running default software

cisco 2500 (68030) processor (revision L) with 14332K/2048K bytes of memory.

Processor board serial number 02969561 with hardware revision 00000000

X.25 software, Version 2.0, NET2, BFE and GOSIP compliant.

1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface.

2 Serial network interfaces.

32K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

Configuration register is 0x2102

Where must I use "flash-load-helper"?. priviliged configuration or normal mode?

timur_snoke · ‎05-27-2004

i am not sure about flash-load-helper... but i have just upgraded a half dozen 2500 series routers in the past few weeks...

i think it is your bootstrap rom that is giving you problems, you should be using something more recent if you are trying to load any of the newer cisco ios:

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.0(10c), SOFTWARE

BOOTLDR: 3000 Bootstrap Software (IGS-BOOT-R), Version 11.0(10c)

you can find the replacement chips on ebay for less than 10 dollars or get them free (i have been told) from cisco.

if that doesn't help the process that i am using is setting up a tftp server on the same subnet as the router, i make sure i can ping both ways.

i then change the config-register from 0x2102 to 0x2101 and reload with just hitting enter until i get the rx boot.

next "show flash" to make sure there is only one partition, if there isn't you will have to erase flash partitions.

finally "copy tftp flash" identifying the ip address of the tftp server and the filename that you want to copy...

try this and capture the text from your process and post it if that doesn't work, and we might be able to identify your problem.