Re: 3825 not booting properly

chris.stuntz · ‎10-22-2008

I have a 3825 that is supposed to be in ROMMON mode (according to Cisco documentation), but, I'm not getting the rommon1> symbol, just random characters after hitting the Enter key.

The 'SYS' led on the front panel is flashing green.

allan.thomas · ‎10-22-2008

Just a suggestion, but the symptoms you describe suggest that it is possibly a problem with your terminal/console session settings?

If the console session settings are different to that what is configured on your network device, then random characters do appear.

Try changing your baud setting to 9600-8-N-1, if this fails gradually increase the speed.

HTH

Allan.

chris.stuntz · ‎10-22-2008

Allan,

Yes, this is the setting I'm using. I was using this setting when I started having the problems I'm experiencing now. I will try increasing the rate as suggested...

chris.stuntz · ‎10-22-2008

Allan,

No, changing the bits per second only changes the character(s) size...

allan.thomas · ‎10-22-2008

When you make the change on the terminal setting do you disconnect and reconnect each time? I have a USB Console cable, and have to connect and reconnect everytime the session is interupted.

Also have you tried a different console cable?

Is this the first time you attempted to connect to the router via console? curious as to why you think it should be in rommon>

Try reload the router whilst connected via the console with the default baud settings and see if see any messages on the console during boot.

Allan.

chris.stuntz · ‎10-22-2008

Allan,

The console cable is fine. When I initially booted the router, it was in rommon mode as the image wouldn't load. I tried transferring an image via tftp, but, kept getting errors. As it's been a few weeks, I do not remember the command I typed that brought the router to the current state.

According to the Cisco documentation, I should be in rommon mode as the 'SYS' led on the front panel is flashing green.

shillyar · ‎10-22-2008

Hello,

if your stuck rommon and you need to load an image here's the recovery procedure.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_tech_note09186a008009429f.shtml

if you have an image on the flash card you can always try a manual boot via rommon

dir slot0:

boot slot0:(image name)

or

just try just hitting i from the rommon prompt

good luck

chris.stuntz · ‎10-23-2008

No, neither suggestion works. When I hit i (or enter), I just get random characters (i.e.![fYd) whenever I hit any key.

As stated before, I'm not in rommon mode...I'm stuck in some other mode that I cannot get out of. As mentioned before, the 'SYS' led is flashing green on the front panel...this is the only fault indication I'm receiving.

allan.thomas · ‎10-23-2008

Hi Chris, what image were you attempting to tftp at the time when you starting experiencing these issues?

Was it the IOS Software, or actual IOS ROMMON that was attempted?

If you attempted to upgrade the ROMMON and was successful, then the router will be reloaded automatically and either boot back into ROMMON or load the IOS depending on the conf-reg.

Allan.

chris.stuntz · ‎10-23-2008

Well, this router already had an image before I attempted to configure this a few weeks ago, but, the image wouldn't load properly and I was forced into rommon. While in rommon, I attempted to tftp a known good image (c3825-advipservicesk9-mz.124-6.T7.bin, 35,859 KB), but, I was receiving a byte size error (or something to this affect...don't remember the exact error). I then made a change, but, honestly I don't remember what I did. I didn't make a conf-reg change, but, now, I cannot modify anything, so, I'm not sure what mode I'm in or how to change itâ€¦

allan.thomas · ‎10-23-2008

If the gateway is failing to load the IOS image from flash and still does not fallback to ROMMON then your only option would be to RMA.

Incidentally where was the previous image booted from Compactflash or bootflash? Have you tried removing the compactflash and to see if will default to bootflash ?

HTH

Allan.

chris.stuntz · ‎10-23-2008

Allan,

Good idea, but, removing the compact flash card doesn't change anything.

allan.thomas · ‎10-23-2008

Unfortunately it would appear that an RMA is your only option here.

With the 3800 series there is no removeable flash, otherwise I would have suggested to try changing the flash with another 3800 series router if one was available to see if it would boot from it?

If it did then you would be able upload the image onto the compactflash and change boot settings in the configuration to boot from the compactflash instead.

Have tried another compactflash card if one is available?

The fact that the system light is blinking green as you said it can either mean that the router is in rommon or it could possibly still be trying boot?

Allan.

chris.stuntz · ‎10-23-2008

Actually, I do have another compact flash card, but, I don't know what image it's loaded with. I will have to keep searching. Thanks.

shillyar · ‎10-23-2008

Im missing some thing here if your box is stuck in rommon and you cant boot off the flash card have you tried xmodem of tftpdnld ? as if all that fails as well then your really stuck and will need the box replaced. Have you tried to change the conf register to try booting the boot image ?

thx