How to reset the Cisco Catalyst 2950, step by step?

[dev_intro]

Hi there

How to reset the Cisco Catalyst 2950, step by step? Is there a manual somewhere?

Thank you for your feedbacks!


With best regards from Switzerland,

Jan

[Andrew Khalil]

Hello @dev_intro,

to factory reset your switch you will need to issue these commands:

#write erase

(which is deleting the configuration file)

#reload

then,

#delete flash:vlan.dat

(which is deleting the vlan database file)

#reload

Please don't forget to rate all helpful responses and mark solutions!

Bst Rgds,

Andrew Khalil

[Seb Rupik]

Hi there,

If you can log into it issue the following commands:

wr erase
del flash:vlan.dat
reload

If you can't login, then perform the password recovery. Attach a console lead, and during initial bootup look for the command to enter ROMMON by sending a BREAK signal.

Once in ROMMON, use the following commands:

flash_init
load_helper
rename flash:config.text flash:config.old
boot

cheers,

Seb.

[dev_intro]

Hi There!

Thank you very much for that fast feedbacks!

The problem is: Because i don't know the login, neither username nor password, i need the press the "Mode" button before connect the power cable.

But when i enter commands like that...

flash_init
load_helper
rename flash:config.text flash:config.old
boot

...the login informations will not be deleted. (Maybe the config, but not the logins.) I see that when i restart it the next time without pressing the "Mode" button. (An not just the login, also owner information and so on...)


Is there a command that makes it possible to delete EVERYTHING (=factory default) when i don't know the login?

Best regards,

Jan

[dev_intro]

I've got a few informations from here, but it seems not to work: https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/2950-24-username-password-recovery/td-p/1774008

Regards,
Jan

[Seb Rupik]

Those are valid instructions.

At what stage does it not work. Can you successfully get into ROMMON? Can you successfully rename the config? Is there even an IOS image on the switch? Does it boot?

cheers,

Seb.

[Seb Rupik]

The login credentials are held in 'config.text' . When you rename that file and issue the boot command the switch will load without a running config, which among many things will mean it should not have any credentials present. You should be presented with a  prompt asking if you want to perform an initial configuration yes/ no .

If not, then something is going wrong with the renaming process. Once you rename the file in ROMMON, what is the output of:

sh dir 

cheers,

Seb.

[paul driver · Accepted solution]

Hello

Another possible alternative is if the switch has a MODE button on the front panel - then power off/on the switch keeping this button pressed for around 15 seconds - you should see the leds flash and then after you release the mode button, the switch should then have reset to default on system startup

[dev_intro]

Thanks again for the fast feedbacks!! Will try it tomorrow because i don't need to work in the afternoon. (On 1. May, we don't need to work for 1/2 day in Switzerland..)

Regards,

Jan

[dev_intro]

"Please rate and mark posts accordingly if you have found any of the information provided useful.
It will hopefully assist others with similar issues in the future"

Sure, will also do that!!

Regards,

Jan

[dev_intro]

Maybe that issue is too complex for that forum?