Cisco Catalyst 2960 unable to write in flash

Javier Gozalo Luengo · ‎10-19-2015

I have a Cisco Catalyst Switch WS-C2960-48PST-S, and I cannot modify the flash content, I can´t create any VLANs or save the config.

Here you have an output trying to create Vlans

Switch(config)#vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)#name VOICE
Switch(config-vlan)#vlan 20
%Error exiting config-vlan mode 47: NV storage failure
Switch(config-vlan)#name DATA
*Mar  1 00:11:03.798: %SW_VLAN-4-IFS_FAILURE: VLAN manager encountered file operation error: call = ifs_open/write / file = flash:/vlan.dat / code = 22 (Invalid argument) / bytes transfered = 0
-Traceback= 2347C0 23370C 1EBD7C 1F73F4 1F69DC 232AE8 212C84 6E2EF0 6E2E64 2174B8 20478C 21C3A4 218990 2558B0 B72BC8 B7582C
Switch(config-vlan)#

I tried to put the switch in Ronmon in order to try to fix something

switch: flash_init
Initializing Flash...
mifs[2]: 0 files, 1 directories
mifs[2]: Total bytes     :    3870720
mifs[2]: Bytes used      :       1024
mifs[2]: Bytes available :    3869696
mifs[2]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
mifs[3]: 538 files, 19 directories
mifs[3]: Total bytes     :   27998208
mifs[3]: Bytes used      :   12147712
mifs[3]: Bytes available :   15850496
mifs[3]: mifs fsck took 7 seconds.
...done Initializing Flash.
switch:
switch: dir flash
unable to stat flash/: no such device

switch: dir flash:
Unknown cmd: dir

switch: load helper
Unknown cmd: load

switch: dir ?
unable to stat ?/: no such device

switch: load_helper
Unknown cmd: load_helper

but the flash is already there, The IOS loads correctly



switch: boot
Loading "flash:/c2960-lanlitek9-mz.122-55.SE7/c2960-lanlitek9-mz.122-55.SE7.bin"...@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@...

Initializing flashfs...
Using driver version 1 for media type 1
mifs[3]: 0 files, 1 directories
mifs[3]: Total bytes     : 3870720   
mifs[3]: Bytes used      : 1024      
mifs[3]: Bytes available : 3869696   
mifs[3]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
mifs[3]: Initialization complete.

mifs[4]: 538 files, 19 directories
mifs[4]: Total bytes     : 27998208  
mifs[4]: Bytes used      : 12147712  
mifs[4]: Bytes available : 15850496  
mifs[4]: mifs fsck took 0 seconds.
mifs[4]: Initialization complete.

...done Initializing flashfs.

I get some errors when the switch starts


Checking for Bootloader upgrade.. not needed
POST: CPU MIC register Tests : Begin
POST: CPU MIC register Tests : End, Status Passed

POST: PortASIC Memory Tests : Begin
POST: PortASIC Memory Tests : End, Status Passed

POST: CPU MIC interface Loopback Tests : Begin
POST: CPU MIC interface Loopback Tests : End, Status Passed

POST: PortASIC RingLoopback Tests : Begin
POST: PortASIC RingLoopback Tests : End, Status Passed
mifs[4]: Error writing sector 2 error 3
ucode info file is already there

Can't create the directory 

bs_write[2]: I/O error writing byte into boot block.
vb:: I/O error
POST: Inline Power Controller Tests : Begin
POST: Inline Power Controller Tests : End, Status Passed

bs_write[2]: I/O error writing byte into boot block.
vb:: I/O error
POST: PortASIC CAM Subsystem Tests : Begin
POST: PortASIC CAM Subsystem Tests : End, Status Passed

POST: PortASIC Port Loopback Tests : Begin
POST: PortASIC Port Loopback Tests : End, Status Passed

Waiting for Port download...Complete

I can not see the startup-config or the flash:


Switch#sh startup-config 
startup-config is not present
Switch#sh fla

Directory of flash:/

%Error opening flash:/ (Invalid argument)

No space information available
Switch#

Could you please help me.

Thanks in advance.

Peter Paluch · ‎10-19-2015

Javier,

It is strongly possible that the FLASH memory in your switch has lived out its useful life and has been rewritten so many times it is beginning to fail, or it simply started failing altogether.

Unfortunately, there is extremely little we can do. FLASH memory in a Catayst 2960 switch cannot be replaced, and if we attempt to format it and it fails, we will have essentially bricked your switch. Now it is at least able to start and operate, even if in some degraded mode - without an IOS in the FLASH, the switch will always end up in the bootloader prompt.

Ideally, you should try to have it replaced but I am not sure if that's an option for you. We can try formatting the FLASH, hoping for the best, but I am strongly afraid that the attempt at formatting the FLASH will fail, at we'll end up with a switch that doesn't even boot to IOS, and there is no FLASH to upload the IOS to.

It is up to you to decide - but apart from these options, I see none, and with a failing hardware component, software attempts at solving the situation are usually unsuccessful.

Best regards,
Peter

Leo Laohoo · ‎10-19-2015

I have a Cisco Catalyst Switch WS-C2960-48PST-S

Hold on ... What is the EXACT model of this switch?

flash:/c2960-lanlitek9-mz.122-55.SE7/c2960-lanlitek9-mz.122-55.SE7.bin

How on earth was anyone able to load the IOS for a 2960 LAN Lite into a regular 2960 switch?

Post the complete output to the command "sh post".