Load IOS without flash (Cisco Catalyst 2960) ?

[Soporteco]

Hi everyone. 

I know many forums have been opened, regarding the following issue:

When I try to save the configuration (copy runn start) I get the following error (SW 2960):

Building configuration...

nv_done: unable to open "flash:/config.text.new"

nv_done: unable to open "flash:/private-config.text.new"
nv_done: unable to open "flash:/multiple-fs.new"[OK]

show flash:

Directory of flash:/

%Error opening flash:/ (Invalid argument)

I will try to do a fsck, and then to format the flash. If that doesn't work, I will reload the switch (saving the running-config first of course). But I'm afraid the switch won't come up. What if the flash is damaged, and it doesn't load because it can't find the IOS? (And of course, I wouldn't be able to copy a new IOS to the flash)

Is it possible to enter in rommon mode, and to make the switch start even if it has a problem with its flash?. I need the switch to be working, i cannot leave it down until I get a new one.

Thanks a lot!

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

The flash is internal to the switch and if it is damage, there is not much you can do, because it is not replaceable.  Careful when you fdisck the flash.  Once the IOS is deleted, if you reload the switch you have to use xmodem to load a new version. So, do a fdisk,if it available, if not try the squeeze command and if this is not available then just use the delete command. Hopefully, you can load an IOS before any reboot.

Good Luck

[Soporteco]

Hi Reza. Thanks for your answer.

So, what do you recommend to do first?. Should I try to format the flash? should I try to reload the switch without formatting, so the IOS could be still saved?

Why do you think I cannot see anything when I try the following commands:

show flash:

dir flash:

show file system:

Could it mean the flash is damaged, or could it be something related to the IOS? I don't mind if I have to load a new IOS using xmodem, I'm worried if I reload the switch, and I cannot make it work again with any method.

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

As long as you have not deleted the IOS from the flash, you can reboot it.  So, if this is the case, I reboot once, if the problem does not go away, then try fdisk or delete command. Once the flash is clear from the old IOS load a new version to the flash using a tftp server. if the IOS loads with no issues and you can issue "wr" or "copy runn start", then you can reboot.  This usually happens when the IOS on the flash is corrupted or something has gone wrong with the hardware, if it is hardware as a last resort you can try x-modem and if that does not fix the issue, then there is not much you can do.

HTH

Reza