IOS image issue

[sammy_davis]

I loaded the image c2960-lanbase-mz.122-35.SE5.bin into a C-2960S-48TS switch.   I deleted the old image and now when I boot the switch it goes to this point and stops:

It de-compresses the image and then goes to installing and it hangs up there.   The last display is:

File "flash:/c2960s-universalk9-mz.122-55.SE5/c2960-lanbase-mz.122-35.SE5.bin" uncompressed and installed, entry point: 0x3000

executing...

So I figured it didn't like this image.   So I tried to go into rommon mode.   To get to rommon I have to break the bootup process and get to the switch:  prompt.   From there I need to run flash_init and load.     flash_init never finishes it looks like this:

switch: flash_init

Initializing Flash...

mifs[2]: 10 files, 1 directories

mifs[2]: Total bytes     :    1806336

mifs[2]: Bytes used      :     612352

mifs[2]: Bytes available :    1193984

mifs[2]: mifs fsck took 1 seconds.

mifs[3]: 0 files, 1 directories

mifs[3]: Total bytes     :    3870720

mifs[3]: Bytes used      :       1024

mifs[3]: Bytes available :    3869696

mifs[3]: mifs fsck took 2 seconds.

mifs[4]: 5 files, 1 directories

mifs[4]: Total bytes     :     258048

mifs[4]: Bytes used      :       9216

mifs[4]: Bytes available :     248832

mifs[4]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.

mifs[5]: 5 files, 1 directories

mifs[5]: Total bytes     :     258048

mifs[5]: Bytes used      :       9216

mifs[5]: Bytes available :     248832

mifs[5]: mifs fsck took 1 seconds.

-- MORE --

So I'm stuck.    How can I get into the flash to delete this new image or get into rommon so that I can load a new image in?   Or has my switch now been relegated to the status of a brick?

[blau grana]

Hello Samuel,

Try to boot from rommon with command >boot

Maybe you will have to include path to IOS image >boot ?

If it will not work you will have to load a new IOS to switch ->

https://supportforums.cisco.com/thread/156627

Best Regards

Please rate all helpful posts and close solved questions

[sammy_davis]

Thank you for your response.   But perhaps my initial post was not clear enough.   The actual problem I'm having is that I  cannot get into the rommon mode.   I have to break the boot sequence and then run the flash_init and load helper commands and the flash_init command is hanging up.   I'm trying to find out if anyone knows why this might be happening or if there is a workaround that I can implement so I can get to the rommon mode.  

[jawad-mukhtar]

Hi

You can recover you IOS using xmodem please see this Document.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps259/products_tech_note09186a008015bfac.shtml

[Leo Laohoo]

Jawad,

When you're dealing with routers and switches with USB ports, xmodem is "old school".

It'll take, at best, 40 minutes to push a valid IOS into the switch via xmodem.

It'll take me 10 minutes (if I don't have a supported USB stick ready), to boot the switch from USB. 

[jawad-mukhtar]

I Agree but there can be a case if u dont have any usb flash available.

[sammy_davis]

Yes,  I know how to use xmodem or boot from the USB as has been suggested.  But the problem is getting to rommon which is where I need to be to run either of those processes.     From what I described is happening during the flash_init command does this mean I am now unable to get to the rommon mode and has my switch become basically a brick?

[Leo Laohoo]

I loaded the image c2960-lanbase-mz.122-35.SE5.bin into a C-2960S-48TS switch.

Ummmm ... It won't work.  You've loaded an IOS for a plain 2960 into a 2960S.

If you have a supported USB, you can copy the correct BIN file into the USB and get the 2960S to boot from USB.  The command (from ROMmon) is:  boot usbflash0:IOS.BIN

[sammy_davis]

Thank you for looking at my question.   Again,  I am unable to get to rommon mode.    When I try to run the flash_init command it hangs up and never finishes.   So I never get to the load_helper command and thus never get to the ROMmon mode.

[Leo Laohoo]

Ok, so yu can't enter anything via the keyboard.  Sounds like you have a client issue or an application issue.

Have you tried using different computers/laptop?

If you are using them USB-to-Serial cables, this could also potentially be an issue.

[sammy_davis]

I am able to enter things via the keyboard but the flash_init command does not finish.   It looks like this: 

switch: flash_init

Initializing Flash...

mifs[2]: 10 files, 1 directories

mifs[2]: Total bytes : 1806336

mifs[2]: Bytes used : 612352

mifs[2]: Bytes available : 1193984

mifs[2]: mifs fsck took 1 seconds.

mifs[3]: 0 files, 1 directories

mifs[3]: Total bytes : 3870720

mifs[3]: Bytes used : 1024

mifs[3]: Bytes available : 3869696

mifs[3]: mifs fsck took 2 seconds.

mifs[4]: 5 files, 1 directories

mifs[4]: Total bytes : 258048

mifs[4]: Bytes used : 9216

mifs[4]: Bytes available : 248832

mifs[4]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.

mifs[5]: 5 files, 1 directories

mifs[5]: Total bytes : 258048

mifs[5]: Bytes used : 9216

mifs[5]: Bytes available : 248832

mifs[5]: mifs fsck took 1 seconds.

-- MORE --

I'm basically trying to determine if I'm screwed.