"PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED" and no IOS

[Jens Bretschneider]

Hi,

I accidentally deleted the IOS on a C886 before reloading. Not really a problem, but “no service password-recovery” is configured. Now the router is booting in a loop and I can't get into ROMMON to install a new IOS. BREAK doesn't work either, as it is intercepted by the IOS, which is no longer there... what can I do?

Removing the CR2032 battery and pressing/holding the reset button has no effect at all.

BR,
Jens

_______________________________________
ROM: Digitally Signed Production Software
C886VAJ-K9 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory
Main memory is configured to 32 bit mode

Upgrade ROMMON initialized
PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED
boot: cannot determine first executable file name ondevice "flash:"

System Bootstrap, Version 15.4(1r)T1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 2014 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Total memory size = 512 MB
Field Upgradeable ROMMON Integrity test
_______________________________________
ROM: Digitally Signed Production Software
C886VAJ-K9 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory
Main memory is configured to 32 bit mode

Upgrade ROMMON initialized
PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED
boot: cannot determine first executable file name ondevice "flash:"

System Bootstrap, Version 15.4(1r)T1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 2014 by cisco Systems, Inc.

Total memory size = 512 MB
Field Upgradeable ROMMON Integrity test
_______________________________________
ROM: Digitally Signed Production Software
C886VAJ-K9 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory
Main memory is configured to 32 bit mode

Upgrade ROMMON initialized
PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED

[andrew.butterworth]

You are not sending break properly.  Disabling password recovery does not disable breaking into the boot cycle.  If you are using a USB to serial cable make sure the terminal emulation package can send break properly.  PuTTY has an option to send a special command for Break.  This isn't needed with a 'normal' serial interface (i.e. when you hit <CTRL> C), but with a USB to Serial adapter, it usually is.

[Jens Bretschneider]

Thanks. I have tried PuTTY and Tera Term without success. I have a lot of experience with Cisco routers, including BREAK and ROMMON. I am sure that I have sent a correct BREAK signal. I have also tried CTRL+C.

[balaji.bandi]

check the procedure:

https://community.cisco.com/t5/networking-knowledge-base/cannot-break-to-rommon-because-the-no-service-password-recovery/ta-p/3131504

what terminal you using to break, check party none and flow control none if you using Putty.

boot: cannot determine first executable file name ondevice "flash:"

you also have message no boot image available in flash, if you leave the Router is that boot and get prompt ?

[Leo Laohoo]

Please confirm if there is a "Reset" button between the power switch and the power connector.  

Q. What is the purpose of the Reset button?
A. The Reset button is used to restore the router to the default factory settings if pressed within 5 seconds of
router power up. Here is how it works:

● The router will not react to the Reset button if it is pressed 5 seconds or more after power up.
● When the Reset button is pressed within 5 seconds of bootup and there is no valid xxx.cfg file in the flash
memory, the router boots up with the factory defaults stored in nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM).
● When the Reset button is pressed within 5 seconds of boot up and there is a valid xxx.cfg file in the flash
memory, the router boots up with the xxx.cfg file and avoids the startup-config file in NVRAM. The xxx.cfg
default configuration file in flash memory also replaces the startup-config file in NVRAM.

---

[Jens Bretschneider]

Yes, there is a reset button.