Catalyst 3850 IOS upgrade issue

[lukecr-01]

After upgrading the IOS on a Cisco Catalyst 3850 and rebooting, the switch gives the following error and can't get out of bootloader mode:

Error loading "flash:packages.conf"

Interrupt within 5 seconds to abort boot process.
Boot process failed...

The system is unable to boot automatically. The
BOOT environment variable needs to be set to a
bootable image.

I tried to copy a new IOS image onto flash, but I get a message saying that flash is a read only file system. I tried booting from usb and tftp without success. I also tried using the "emergency install feature", but since the sda9: is missing the cat3k_caa-recovery.bin file, that did not work either.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Luke

[acampbell]

Hi,

Try booting the switch to its previous version of IOS/XE.

switch: boot flash:packages.conf.00-

Regards
Alex

[lukecr-01]

Alex,

I have tried booting from "flash:packages.conf.00-" before, and tried again after I read your reply, but I get the following error:

switch: boot flash:packages.conf.00-
Getting rest of image
Reading full image into memory....done
flash:cat3k_caa-base.SPA.03.02.03.SE.pkg: no such file or directory

Error loading "flash:packages.conf.00-"
Boot process failed...

And as I said before, I am not able to copy anything to flash: because I get an error saying that flash is a "read only file system".  I wonder if there is a way to chage it to a read and write file system?

Thanks for your help!

[johnlloyd_13]

hi luke,

i've also encountered the same error and i'd still go for the IOS boot/recover via USB.

make sure the USB key is FAT16 format and older USB with 1, 2 or 4 GB mostly works.

see useful link.

http://wannabelab.blogspot.com/2015/09/cisco-catalyst-3650-ios-recovery-via-usb.html

may the force be with you ;)

[lukecr-01]

John,

Thanks for your suggestion. I've tried that before but did not make sure that the USB was FAT16 format. I formated a 1GB thumb drive as FAT16, but get the same error as follows:

### Launching Linux Kernel (flags = 0x5)

All packages are Digitally Signed
Starting System Services

FIPS(NGWC): Flash Key Check : Begin
FIPS(NGWC): Flash Key Check : End, Not Found, FIPS Mode Not Enabled
BIST failed. Abort init ...
BIST failed. Abort init ...
BIST failed. Abort init ...
BIST failed. Abort init ...

I appreciate your help though.