Stuck on a ISR 4451, bricked ?

[AK59]

Dear all, 

I'm writing regarding a problem I'm facing with a brand new ISR 4451-X/K9 router .

I desperately need to reset the router to factory default configuration. The problem is, I can't break the boot sequence properly, and everytime I try, it proposes me to reset to factory default configuration I type 'y' and then it's resetting again and again (infinite loop)

Here is an exemple of the loop I'm facing : 

Initializing Hardware ...

Checking for PCIe device presence...done
System integrity status: 0x610
Rom image verified correctly


System Bootstrap, Version 16.7(4r), RELEASE SOFTWARE
Copyright (c) 1994-2017 by cisco Systems, Inc.


Current image running: Boot ROM0

Last reset cause: LocalSoft
ISR4451-X/K9 platform with 16777216 Kbytes of main memory

PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED

........

no valid BOOT image found
Final autoboot attempt from default boot device...
Failed to find bootable image on device bootflash:

...


PASSWORD RECOVERY IS DISABLED.
Do you want to reset the router to the factory default
configuration and proceed y/n [n]: y

Router clearing configuration. Please wait for ROMMON prompt...

autoboot: boot failed, restarting...

Resetting .......



Initializing Hardware ...

As a reminder, I'm unable to access to the router config ( Console username/password needed and linked to an unreachable AAA server...)

I'm even doubting about sending the "break" sequence properly. So,

- Could you please tell the proper moment to send the break sequence ( Does it matter ? ) 

- Have you got an idea on how to fix this please ? 

Thanks in advance, 

[balaji.bandi]

here is the good steps to follow and recovery :

https://community.cisco.com/t5/routing/think-i-ve-bricked-an-isr-4331/m-p/3888622

[Philip D'Ath]

Your device is failing to find an IOS-XE image to boot.  I would try putting an image on a USB memory key and see if you can get it to boot from that.

[AK59]

I can't even designate to boot on a USB memory key...

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

---

@AK59 wrote:

PASSWORD RECOVERY IS DISABLED.
Do you want to reset the router to the factory default
configuration and proceed y/n [n]: y

---

Here's the answer to why the router keeps going into a boot-loop:  Someone disabled password-recovery feature. 

To make a long story short, contact Cisco TAC and organize an RMA.  

NOTE:  I've been against this feature being "enabled" by Cisco developers (CSCvo02389) because it will be abused/mis-used (like in this case). 

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello everyone,

I agree with @Leo Laohoo  not all commands or features are good.

disabling password recovery command should be limited to only special purposes images used by military or banks and it should not be available to everyone.

There is no sense in creating a lot of RMAs. Cisco should make this change.

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[AK59]

So I have exchanges with Cisco support...They first proposed me to connect using Telnet and send break sequence as it's permitted even if the password-recovery feature is disabled.

Unfortunately, telnet port wasn't configured yet. So we organized an RMA.

[Leo Laohoo]

Thanks for the update.