no service password-recovery

[hanwucisco]

I was just configured a 3800 router with this command. I cannot get to the ROMMON mode anymore. Cisco says you should press Break key within 5 seconds after the image decompresses during the boot. But mine is ignoring it and going to load running config directly.

any idea?

thanks,

Han

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Disclaimer

The  Author of this posting offers the information contained within this  posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that  there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose.  Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not  be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this  posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In  no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,  without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out  of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author  has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

Did you see Cisco's:

Risks

If a router is configured with the no service password-recovery command, this disables all access to the ROMMON. If there is no valid  Cisco IOS software image in the Flash memory of the router, the user is  not able to use the ROMMON XMODEM command in order to load a new  Flash image. In order to fix the router, you must get a new Cisco IOS  software image on a Flash SIMM, or on a PCMCIA card, for example on the  3600 Series Routers.

from:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_configuration_example09186a00801d8113.shtml

[hanwucisco]

thanks, Joe,

I copied another page here that says it will erase the config, if the command is enabled and you enter the break key when the router is booting.

==============================================================

Recovering a Device

To recover a device once the No Service Password-Recovery feature has  been enabled, press the Break key within 5 seconds after the image  decompresses during the boot. You are prompted to confirm the Break key  action. When you confirm the action, the startup configuration is  erased, the password-recovery procedure is enabled, and the router boots  with the factory default configuration.

If you do not confirm the Break key action, the router boots normally with the No Service Password-Recovery feature enabled.

Examples

This section provides the following examples of the process:

•Confirmed Break

•Unconfirmed Break

Confirmed Break

PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED

program load complete, entry point: 0x80013000, size: 0x8396a8

Self decompressing the image : 
######################################################################

###################################################################### [OK]

!The 5 second window starts now.

telnet> send break

telnet> send break

telnet> send break

Restricted Rights Legend

==============================================================

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Disclaimer

The   Author of this posting offers the information contained within this   posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that   there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose.   Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not   be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of  this  posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In   no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,   without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising  out  of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if  Author  has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

That looks encouraging. Are you sure an actual break signal is being generated by your program when you press the break key?

[hanwucisco]

Yes. I am pretty sure.

[Leo Laohoo]

3800 and you want to go into ROMmon?

Have you tried ejecting the CF and rebooting the router? 

[hanwucisco]

Yes, I tried. It tells me that the card is not presented and doing the same.

[Leo Laohoo]

What do you mean by "doing the same"?  When you eject the CF and any USB stick, the router will always boot into ROMmon.

[Dwight Grupp]

Hi,

I found a solution to this problem at least it worked for me!  I have a Cisco 2800 Series Router so It depends on what Series Router you which will depend on what method works for you as there are different solutions for  different router series.  Also it depends on if you are able to remove the flash drive and erase all commands.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions Happy Learning

Dwight

[Breaker99]

Hello,

I have tried what was written here, but i need the old configuration of the router. Does anybody know a method to bypass the password recovery disable function and keep the old configuration or a method to recover it?

Alex

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello,

this is a rather old post. Did you try:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/sec_usr_cfg/configuration/15-sy/sec-usr-cfg-15-sy-book/sec-no-svc-pw-recvry.html#GUID-B64D4DED-70A3-42C9-BBED-46B3803D7982