Cisco 2950 No Flash: directory

[RyCar66]

Hi, I have a Cisco 2950 that only boots to switch: prompt.  When I issue the dir command, it returns:

List of filesystems currently registered:

         xmodem[0]: (read-only)

                 null[1]: (read-write)

I cannot mkdir (permission denied), I cannot do anything, basically.

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello,

try and manually initialize the flash from the 'switch:' prompt.

To get to the 'switch:' prompt, telnet into the console port, hold the mode button and restore power. The boot loader should start.

At the switch: command line, enter: flash_init

[RyCar66]

I tried flash_init at the switch: prompt, I get:

Initializing Flash...

...no flash filesystems found.

[nazimkha]

can you try a dir after flash_init

[Georg Pauwen · Accepted solution]

How old is the device ? Chances are you have a corrupted onboard flash chip...

[RyCar66]

You are correct, I opened the unit and discovered I accidentally hit a chip with my drill bit. Luckily we just upgraded and I have several of them to play with. This one is going in the trash.

[Leo Laohoo]

The correct syntax is "dir flash:".