Cisco 2960x Password Reset, Boot Loop

[Mcoolwhip]

Sorry, for any mistakes, since this is my first posting but, would anyone have an idea of why a Catalyst 2960x switch will not allow me to interrupt its boot process without ending up rebooting?

I made the mistake of using the enable secret command and set the optional command so that the system thinks the clear text password I entered was an encrypted version. 

I followed the process to reboot the switch and was able to interrupt the boot process. changed the config.txt file in the flash to config.old, but after running the flash_init and boot commands, the switch would reboot straight into its previous config like nothing happened. 

I restarted  the switch while holding the mode button to interrupt the boot process, but when I held it like instructed int the Cisco manual until the light turned from amber to green, to switch would just continue to go through its boot process. When I held it any longer, the switch would show the interrupted boot line, but then reboot itself instantly. 

When I first got the switch, I had problems with not being able to get to the Web UI, and on further inspection using dir flash: it looks like the files for the web UI are not even there compared to my other switches....

I am not on sight with the switch at the moment, but it is currently running as previously configured, any advice might take me some time to use it on the switch. Any help would be appreciated.

[balaji.bandi]

Follow below procedure correctly :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-2950-series-switches/12040-pswdrec-2900xl.html

and post the complete boot logs to understand what went wrong here?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Mcoolwhip wrote:

 changed the config.txt file in the flash to config.old, but after running the flash_init and boot commands, the switch would reboot straight into its previous config like nothing happened. 

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Only 2 reasons why this is happening: 

1.  The rename of the config.txt file was not successful; or

2.  The boot variable string is NOT looking for the "config.txt" file.  Might be another file configured to look for. 

When in ROMMON, post the output to the following commands: 

1.  dir flash:

2.  set

[Mcoolwhip]

Thank you guys for replying. 

           I would post the dir Flash:/ set, but that is kind of the reason why I am posting this discussion.

I cannot seem to get back to ROMMON when trying to interrupt the boot process. When I hold the Mode button as the documentation instructs, or releasing when I see that USB media has initialized (like some other people have recommended in other discussions), it goes into its boot process with the previous configuration. If I hold it any longer, or release the mode button and then press it once more, the switch lists that the boot process was interrupted and I am at the Switch# part of the CLI, but then the switch suddenly reboots again before I can type anything...

Really, at this point, I do not mind redoing the whole config, so if there is a way to reset the switch to factory, I would do that....

Like I had stated in the post, I am not onsite with the switch at the moment, so it might be some time before I can try anything...sorry.

[balaji.bandi]

As suggested can you post complete boot process from console ?

[Mcoolwhip]

       I ended up trying new cables and restarting the process on the second switch in the stack. Was able to complete the password recovery on the 2nd switch in the stack after removing its stacking cables. 

Not sure why the first switch kept rebooting after renaming the config.txt file. 

I guess my last issue is that since the switches were originally in a stack configuration of 2 2960x switches, is there a special process to copy the config to the original master switch?

I included a txt file of my second attempt with the 2nd member of the stack in case it helps anyone.

Word of note for anyone who may need clarification with the password recovery process, using a USB Cisco cable (with Tera term,) and not the console port, so it would take a minute before seeing any output. Had to hold the mode button before plugging into power, and until seeing that the console port for the usb connection was initialized. Indicated by the green light on the switch. One of my problems was trying to following Cisco instruction of holding mode button until system light changes from amber to green, this was too soon.

[Leo Laohoo]

15.0(2a)EX5 ... `nuff said.
Upgrade the firmware. I'm not wasting time troubleshooting an appliance loaded with "interim" firmware -- too many things that "really" go BANG.