CF loads IOS cant reset pw

[scanaan]

i have an 1841.

it loads up from the external CF.

lost the password.

when the CF is out it boots to rommon>

cant dir the flash:

rommon 18 > dir flash:

dir: cannot open device "flash:"
usb fla cant be read either.

i followed conreg instructions for changing the boot method but that doesnt work-

when i boot with the CF it still asks for the pw i dont have, and when i boot w the cf detached

it goes to rommon.

how do i eaither reset the pw on the CF or load a new image (i have a tftp server and an image)

thanks.

[Leo Laohoo]

when the CF is out it boots to rommon>
cant dir the flash:

When the CF is out you will not be able to show your flash because it the CF is the flash.

[mtempro]

Hi,

The link below details the password recovery procedure for the 1800s routers.  You definitely want to leave in the compact flash so it can load IOS.  Unlike the 3725 I don't believe the 1841 has internal flash.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps221/products_password_recovery09186a0080094773.shtml

[scanaan]

ah! no internal flash. coming from a 3640 router i am a little rusty...

i still have the issue of the pw.

step 7 ddoesnt work

6. Type reset at the rommon 2> prompt.

The router reboots, but ignores the saved configuration.

7. Type no after each setup question, or press Ctrl-C

in order to skip the initial setup procedure.

after the router restarts it loads up without an option to type enable...

it just asks me for the user/pw again. like the confreg change didnt happen.

(it also still doesnt read the USB in rommon mode it is formatted to 16bit)

[mtempro]

The confreg 0x2142 is KEY!!!!  Since this tells the router to bypass your startup config.  Once it tries to walk you through the initial configuration steps you'll know for sure that the startup config was bypassed.  Select no to these questions to go directly to router prompt.  I'm afraid that even if you could use a card reader to format flash and ftp another image the startup config will still be saved in NVRAM.  Once the router prompts you for the initial yes/no answers you should be golden at that point.