07-12-2019 08:28 AM
I'm having issues with getting a 3650 through the password recovery process.
I got it into the password reset mode, but i don't have load_helper as an option and don't have a config.text. file to rename. I tried another process, which consist of boot flash:packages.conf command. That doesn't work either.
I'm stumped and need some ideas
Solved! Go to Solution.
07-12-2019 08:32 AM - edited 07-12-2019 08:33 AM
From My Notes (worked many times)
Hope this helps.
Here is a link that points to performing a password recovery on a 3650 switch.
SUMMARY STEPS
1. Connect a terminal or PC to the switch.
2. Set the line speed on the emulation software to 9600 baud.
3. Power off the standalone switch or the entire switch stack.
4. Reconnect the power cord to the or the active switch. Within 15 seconds, press the Mode button while
the System LED is still flashing green. Continue pressing the Mode button until all the system LEDs turn
on and remain solid; then release the Mode button.
5. After recovering the password, reload the switch or the active switch .
6. Power on the remaining switches in the stack.
DETAILED STEPS
Step 1 Connect a terminal or PC to the switch.
• Connect a terminal or a PC with terminal-emulation software to the switch console port. If you are recovering the
password for a switch stack, connect to the console port of the active switch or
• Connect a PC to the Ethernet management port. If you are recovering the password for a switch stack, connect to
the Ethernet management port of a stack member .
Step 2 Set the line speed on the emulation software to 9600 baud.
Step 3 Power off the standalone switch or the entire switch stack.
Step 4 Reconnect the power cord to the or the active switch. Within 15 seconds, press the Mode button while the System LED
is still flashing green. Continue pressing the Mode button until all the system LEDs turn on and remain solid; then release
the Mode button.
•
Switch:
Xmodem file system is available.
Base ethernet MAC Address: 20:37:06:4d:e9:80
Verifying bootloader digital signature.
The system has been interrupted prior to loading the operating
system software, console will be reset to 9600 baud rate.
proceed to the Procedure with Password Recovery Enabled section, and follow the steps.
Procedure with Password Recovery Enabled
Step 1 Initialize the flash file system.
Switch: flash_init
Step 2 Ignore the startup configuration with the following command:
Switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1
Step 3 Boot the switch with the packages.conf file from flash.
Switch: boot flash:packages.conf
Step 4 Terminate the initial configuration dialog by answering No.
Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]: No
Step 5 At the switch prompt, enter privileged EXEC mode.
Switch> enable
Switch#
Step 6 Copy the startup configuration to running configuration.
Switch# copy startup-config running-config Destination filename [running-config]?
Press Return in response to the confirmation prompts. The configuration file is now reloaded, and you can change the
password.
Step 7 Enter global configuration mode and change the enable password.
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)#
Step 8 Write the running configuration to the startup configuration file.
Switch# copy running-config startup-config
Step 9 Confirm that manual boot mode is enabled.
Switch# show boot
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;
Manual Boot = yes
Enable Break = yes
Step 10 Reload the switch.
Switch# reload
Step 11 Return the Bootloader parameters (previously changed in Steps 2 and 3) to their original values.
Switch: switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=0
Step 12 Boot the switch with the packages.conf file from flash.
Switch: boot flash:packages.conf
Step 13 After the switch boots up, disable manual boot on the switch.
Switch(config)# no boot manual
07-12-2019 08:32 AM - edited 07-12-2019 08:33 AM
From My Notes (worked many times)
Hope this helps.
Here is a link that points to performing a password recovery on a 3650 switch.
SUMMARY STEPS
1. Connect a terminal or PC to the switch.
2. Set the line speed on the emulation software to 9600 baud.
3. Power off the standalone switch or the entire switch stack.
4. Reconnect the power cord to the or the active switch. Within 15 seconds, press the Mode button while
the System LED is still flashing green. Continue pressing the Mode button until all the system LEDs turn
on and remain solid; then release the Mode button.
5. After recovering the password, reload the switch or the active switch .
6. Power on the remaining switches in the stack.
DETAILED STEPS
Step 1 Connect a terminal or PC to the switch.
• Connect a terminal or a PC with terminal-emulation software to the switch console port. If you are recovering the
password for a switch stack, connect to the console port of the active switch or
• Connect a PC to the Ethernet management port. If you are recovering the password for a switch stack, connect to
the Ethernet management port of a stack member .
Step 2 Set the line speed on the emulation software to 9600 baud.
Step 3 Power off the standalone switch or the entire switch stack.
Step 4 Reconnect the power cord to the or the active switch. Within 15 seconds, press the Mode button while the System LED
is still flashing green. Continue pressing the Mode button until all the system LEDs turn on and remain solid; then release
the Mode button.
•
Switch:
Xmodem file system is available.
Base ethernet MAC Address: 20:37:06:4d:e9:80
Verifying bootloader digital signature.
The system has been interrupted prior to loading the operating
system software, console will be reset to 9600 baud rate.
proceed to the Procedure with Password Recovery Enabled section, and follow the steps.
Procedure with Password Recovery Enabled
Step 1 Initialize the flash file system.
Switch: flash_init
Step 2 Ignore the startup configuration with the following command:
Switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1
Step 3 Boot the switch with the packages.conf file from flash.
Switch: boot flash:packages.conf
Step 4 Terminate the initial configuration dialog by answering No.
Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]: No
Step 5 At the switch prompt, enter privileged EXEC mode.
Switch> enable
Switch#
Step 6 Copy the startup configuration to running configuration.
Switch# copy startup-config running-config Destination filename [running-config]?
Press Return in response to the confirmation prompts. The configuration file is now reloaded, and you can change the
password.
Step 7 Enter global configuration mode and change the enable password.
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)#
Step 8 Write the running configuration to the startup configuration file.
Switch# copy running-config startup-config
Step 9 Confirm that manual boot mode is enabled.
Switch# show boot
BOOT variable = flash:packages.conf;
Manual Boot = yes
Enable Break = yes
Step 10 Reload the switch.
Switch# reload
Step 11 Return the Bootloader parameters (previously changed in Steps 2 and 3) to their original values.
Switch: switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=0
Step 12 Boot the switch with the packages.conf file from flash.
Switch: boot flash:packages.conf
Step 13 After the switch boots up, disable manual boot on the switch.
Switch(config)# no boot manual
07-12-2019 01:27 PM
03-10-2020 11:58 AM
Tried Your way but after these Commands-
Switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1
Switch: boot flash:packages.conf
switch starts Normally and Asking for Password, Means it can't bypass the startup Config, Any other way?
03-11-2020 02:15 AM
make sure you followed correct below steps :
The overall sequence of steps would be:
02-08-2024 09:21 AM
switch: boot
flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.12.06.SPA.bin: no such file or directory
Cannot open file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.12.06.SPA.bin
usage: boot [<filename>] [<cmdline>]
02-09-2024 08:52 AM
switch:dir flash: ( see what files on the folder to boot)
if no IOS image on the Flash (then you need to use USB and TFTP (last xmodem to upload the image to device)
02-09-2024 05:53 PM
hi,
try to boot the IOS from USB and then copy the IOS file for a permanent boot image.
see helpful link:
https://wannabelab.blogspot.com/2015/09/cisco-catalyst-3650-ios-recovery-via-usb.html
03-05-2024 01:09 PM
Thanks it worked
03-05-2024 01:13 PM
glad all good
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