Re: Some NVRAM problems with Cisco 3640

francoisenjeroen · ‎04-30-2006

Hi all,

I'm trying to make some Cisco 3640's ready for use in my lab. But i came up with the following problems.

When i power on the router, i get the following message:

ERROR in NVRAM sizing. NVRAM could be bad!

Hardware indicated 131072 bytes. Software detected 0 bytes.

Using 0 bytes.

Than, i came in rommon mode. When i use thye command "boot" the router start up with the IOS in flash.

But i can't write anything in NVRAM (running-config)

I really searched for a solution, but i'm stuck. Can someone help me out with this?

Thx.

Jeroen.

locp · ‎04-30-2006

Can you post your boot errors ?

There is rare NMRAM failed that can be replace but let see the error first.

Alternately, you can use another 3640, swap the NVRAM chip and see if the error go away.

Regards,

Trivalleys Services,

LocP

francoisenjeroen · ‎04-30-2006

Locp,

I swapped already NVRAM and i got the same problems. Looks like the NVRAM is ok.

locp · ‎05-01-2006

Ah, you still in luck then: post the boot error and I will see ...

Regards,

LocP

francoisenjeroen · ‎05-06-2006

Ok, i got some boot errors afther i gave the command "boot" in rommon mode:

*Mar 1 00:00:05.091: %C3600-3-BADNV: Detected invalid NVRAM size: -2056 bytes

*Mar 1 00:00:05.247: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604EEBD8 0x61092280 0x6109232C 0x60AD5358 0x60AD56D0 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:05.255: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604EB148 0x60CDDDF4 0x6050E61C 0x6050EC20 0x61092280 0x6109232C 0x60AD53EC 0x60AD56D0 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:09.067: %LINK-4-NOMAC: A random default MAC address of 0000.0c09.1503 has

been chosen. Ensure that this address is unique, or specify MAC

addresses for commands (such as 'novell routing') that allow the

use of this address as a default.

*Mar 1 00:00:11.031: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604EB148 0x60CDDDF4 0x604EE5C8 0x604F1E9C 0x604F1F44 0x61471514 0x61473F00 0x61092280 0x6109232C 0x60AD5450 0x60AD56D0 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:11.039: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604EB148 0x60CDDDF4 0x604EE5E4 0x604F1E9C 0x604F1F44 0x61471514 0x61473F00 0x61092280 0x6109232C 0x60AD5450 0x60AD56D0 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:12.151: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604ECF40 0x60CDEFB8 0x60AE8C80 0x60AE8D10 0x60AD5910 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:12.155: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604EB148 0x60CDDDF4 0x60CE6C1C 0x60CE7620 0x60AE8D30 0x60AD5910 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:13.131: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted --

Cisco IOS Software, 3600 Software (C3640-TELCO-M), Version 12.3(14)T7, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Compiled Wed 22-Mar-06 21:46 by pwade

*Mar 1 00:00:13.131: %IFS-3-FS_CREATE_FAIL: Failed to create nvram file system, no NVRAM present

-Traceback= 0x60ADCB70 0x604EAB40 0x604ED3A0 0x60CDF32C 0x60CDC11C 0x60364F48 0x60AD5D10 0x61069F80 0x61069F64

*Mar 1 00:00:13.135: %SNMP-5-COLDSTART: SNMP agent on host Router is undergoing a cold start

locp · ‎05-12-2006

Ok, then you power down , pop the cover and look for the NVRAM chip ( right to the flash; see pic ) : swap it with another 3640 to make sure you DO have a bad one and replace it.

... no NVRAM present do signal the chip is MISSING, I suspect.

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/illus/h/17/h7317.jpg

HTH, and please rate it if this work for you.

Loc P.

locp · ‎05-12-2006

But wait, why are you boot into rommon ???

Are you telling me the 3640 refused to boot normal ( boot 2-15 , I think ) ???

sevans1979 · ‎05-13-2006

How did you swap out the NVRAM chip? As for as I know, you can't swap out NVRAM chips. It is hard soldered on the board.

locp · ‎05-13-2006

Really ? not on few 3640 that I had my hand on.

The NVRAM chip are not normally fail, but I did see it failed twice, but I config about 20 ( of 3640 ) just within a year or so.

You can swap the NVRAM out within min. with IC clip or 3 min. with small flat screw-driver.

HTH,

Loc P.

sevans1979 · ‎05-14-2006

Wierd,

I know you can swap out the boot roms with chip pullers. I have always heard that if the NVRAM is bad you have to return it to Cisco.

sevans1979 · ‎05-14-2006

I sit corrected, I found this in a document on Cisco's website.

"Routers that have nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) chips can be removed and reseated".

locp · ‎05-14-2006

n/p: I done it a few times and I can re-assure you all that it is doable !

It also labelled NVRAM on the PCB side so you can not miss it.

Loc P.