Factory Reset on a Catalyst 3850 Switch Issue

[roymccracken]

I'm experiencing an issue that was referenced in this article from 2 years ago:

https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/11828266/password-recovery-catalyst-3850-switch

However, I'm not trying to do a password recovery. I need to do a factory reset because I set some "aaa" configurations on the switch and it wont let me in now. I can't even get a login or password prompt. I've rebooted, broken the boot sequence using the "Mode" button, did the "flash_init" and there is where I get stuck. A "dir flash:" shows the following list:

54209  drwx  4096       .

    2  drwx  4096       ..

54210  -rwx  2097152    nvram_config

54211  -rwx  74410468   cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.02.00SE.pkg

54212  -rwx  2773680    cat3k_caa-drivers.SPA.03.02.00.SE.pkg

54213  -rwx  32478044   cat3k_caa-infra.SPA.03.02.00SE.pkg

54214  -rwx  30393116   cat3k_caa-iosd-universalk9.SPA.150-1.EX.pkg

54215  -rwx  18313952   cat3k_caa-platform.SPA.03.02.00.SE.pkg

54216  -rwx  63402700   cat3k_caa-wcm.SPA.10.0.100.0.pkg

54217  -rwx  1218       packages.conf

54218  -rw-  556        vlan.dat

54219  -rwx  57         express_setup.debug

Which brings me to my sticking point. I try to delete and/or rename the nvram_config and vlan.dat and it tells me that it is a read only file system and that the file is not deleted. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Roy

[johnd2310 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Have a look at this doc:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/3se/system_management/configuration_guide/b_sm_3se_3850_cg/b_sm_3se_3850_cg_chapter_01110.html#task_1021182

Set the switch to ignore startup config, boot switch and then you can delete the startup config

Thanks

John

[steven.m.holt]

I have a similiar issue but the switch will not ingore the startup. I still keep getting default VLAN 1 may not have its name changed. I cant get past this point

[Martin L]

VLANs are usually stored in vlan.dat file on flash drive. you should errase it if u do not want to keep names. you cannot remove default vlan 1 from any switches. Vlan 1 is default vlan on cisco switches and all ports are in vlan1 when sw is brand new - by default

[CERKYR]

hello,

Power start

Push Mode Button during 10 seconds

Four Orange lights

Release Mode Button

"flash_init" command

"boot" command

---

It's not enough to obtain a full reset factory.

After the boot, the old configuration is still here !

How to obtain a full reset factory ?

Regards,