871 Factory reset w/o password

jondubya9 · ‎01-25-2012

I recently decomissioned an 871 from a small business site and the owner did not want the device anymore. So now I'm trying to use it back at the office in the sandbox, however I don't know the password to the device and neither does the business owner. There's a reset button on the back, but from what I've read (here), it only loads a different config file found on the internal flash. Tried this, no dice. Is this essentially a bricked router now or is there anything else I can do to clear the config and repurpose it for my use?

Thanks,

Jon

Reza Sharifi · ‎01-25-2012

Jon,

Since you don't the password, follow this link to reset the password:

You need a console cable and a terminal emulator software like Putty to access the router.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/access/800/850/software/configuration/guide/trouble.html#wp1038210

HTH

jondubya9 · ‎01-25-2012

Reza,

This won't work. The first prompt I get when consoling into the device is to enter a password. I can't get past that prompt.

Leo Laohoo · ‎01-25-2012

871 right? You want to reset the 871 to factory default?

Look behind the router. There's a RESET button.

1. Power down the router.

2. Hold down the reset button.

3. Power down the router.

4. Hold down the reset button for another 5 seconds and release.

jondubya9 · ‎01-26-2012

This is the first thing I tried, as well as stating I tried this in the OP. Next.

Reza Sharifi · ‎01-26-2012

Jon,

When you connect to the router and turn it on, do you see this command on the screen during boot process?

PASSWORD RECOVERY FUNCTIONALITY IS DISABLED

Reza

jondubya9 · ‎01-26-2012

Reza,

No it does not. Here's the full text of the device booting:

System Bootstrap, Version 12.3(8r)YI4, RELEASE SOFTWARE

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

C870 series (Board ID: 3-148) platform with 131072 Kbytes of main memory

Booting flash:/c870-advsecurityk9-mz.124-20.T

Self decompressing the image : ###################################################################### [OK]

Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is

subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph

(c) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted

Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph

(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer

Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.

170 West Tasman Drive

San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco IOS Software, C870 Software (C870-ADVSECURITYK9-M), Version 12.4(20)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Compiled Fri 11-Jul-08 06:08 by prod_rel_team

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United

States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and

use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply

third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.

Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for

compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you

agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable

to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to

export@cisco.com.

Installed image archive

Cisco 871 (MPC8272) processor (revision 0x300) with 118784K/12288K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FHK130862N3

MPC8272 CPU Rev: Part Number 0xC, Mask Number 0x10

5 FastEthernet interfaces

128K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

28672K bytes of processor board System flash (Intel Strataflash)

Press RETURN to get started!

CC

NAME: PMEM145

NOTICE: This is a private network device. If you are not authorized

to connect or configure this device, disconnect at once! Actual

or attempted use, access, examination, or configuration change by

an unauthorized person will result in criminal and civil prosecution

to the full extent of the law.

User Access Verification

Password:

Neeraj Arora · ‎01-27-2012

Jon,

you can try the following steps and see if it helps:

TO MAKE A PASSWORD RECOVEY YOU MUST BE DIRECTLY CONSOLED TO THE ROUTER. POWERCYCLE THE ROUTER AND ENTER THE BREAK SEQUENCE

“CTRL+BREAK or CTRL+Fn+BREAK”

Note: Hold down Cntrl key and continuously press Break as soon as you turn on the router. Generally we have around 5-7 sec window to break into Rommon mode

The Key combination may be different on a Laptop.

Standard Break Key Sequence Combinations During Password Recovery

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/products/hw/routers/ps133/products_tech_

note09186a0080174a34.shtml

If none of the break key sequence works, please try with a differnt PC or Operating

System.

YOU NEED TO BE IN ROMMON MODE:

rommon 1>confreg 0x2142

rommon 2>reset (if reset does not work, then powercycle the router)

YOU WILL BE ASKED TO GET IN THE CONFIGURATION MODE, TYPE NO

Enter in the configuration mode? N

press return to get started

Router>enable

Router#

At this stage the router has loaded up with a blank config, so just change the config register value back to 0x2102 and save the config "wr"

Router(config)#config-register 0x2102

Router(config)#exit

Router#write mem

Router#show ver (make sure that the config register is set to 0x2102, last line of the output will show this)

Hope it helps.

Neeraj