NVRAM issues on Catalyst 3750X switch stack

[GlennF]

We are having issues with saving configurations on a stack of three 3750X switches. When issuing a wr mem command, the following messages appear:

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]
NVRAM Verification Failed

Subsequently, when I run the following command, show config, the following message appears:

%Error opening nvram:/startup-config (Invalid Checksum)

I run the command, dir flash1:, the following message appears:

%Error opening flash:/ (Invalid argument)

But when I run the same command for flash2 and flash3, it outputs the files listed in those flash directories. Is it safe to assume that there is an issue with the flash on the Master switch (flash1)?

If so, can we change the Master switch from Switch1 to one of the others, Switch2 or Switch3 by changing the stack member priority? What would be the exact steps to do that? Will changing the stack member priority affect any of the interface configurations on any of the switches in the stack?

The following is the switch model and SW version for the switch stack:

Switch Ports Model SW Version SW Image
------ ----- ----- ---------- ----------
* 1 30 WS-C3750X-24P 15.0(2)SE C3750E-IPBASEK9-M
2 30 WS-C3750X-24P 15.0(2)SE C3750E-IPBASEK9-M
3 30 WS-C3750X-24P 15.0(2)SE C3750E-IPBASEK9-M

[Elliot Dierksen]

That sounds like the flash file system is corrupted on one of the switches. You could try formatting it on the problem switch and then doing a "wr mem". You would also want to make sure you copy the vlan.dat file from one of the other switches to the reformatted one afterwards. Use at your own risk. I have not had to do this exact operation before.

[GlennF]

Thank you.

The problem switch is the master switch, so should I change the priorities on the switches to make one of the others as the "new" master switch before doing what you recommend?

When I do a dir flash2: and dir flash3:, the VLAN.dat file is listed in both of them with the latest updated date.

Directory of flash2:/

2 -rwx 21367 Dec 31 2020 09:25:44 -10:00 config.text
3 -rwx 19840241 Feb 28 1993 14:53:18 -10:00 c3750e-ipbasek9-mz.150-2.SE.bin
4 -rwx 9306 Dec 31 2020 09:25:45 -10:00 private-config.text
6 -rwx 10132 Apr 29 2022 07:55:38 -10:00 vlan.dat          <--updated 4/29/22
7 drwx 512 Feb 28 1993 14:09:03 -10:00 c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-55.SE5
515 -rwx 21431 Mar 2 2020 08:21:40 -10:00 config.text.backup
516 -rwx 9306 Mar 2 2020 08:21:40 -10:00 private-config.text.backup
517 -rwx 4120 Feb 28 1993 14:01:55 -10:00 multiple-fs

57671680 bytes total (17994240 bytes free)

Directory of flash3:/

2 -rwx 19840241 Feb 28 1993 14:32:14 -10:00 c3750e-ipbasek9-mz.150-2.SE.bin
3 -rwx 10132 Apr 29 2022 07:55:38 -10:00 vlan.dat          <--updated 4/29/22
4 -rwx 21367 Dec 31 2020 09:25:44 -10:00 config.text
5 -rwx 9306 Dec 31 2020 09:25:45 -10:00 private-config.text
454 -rwx 4120 Feb 28 1993 14:01:55 -10:00 multiple-fs
6 -rwx 21431 Mar 2 2020 08:21:40 -10:00 config.text.backup
7 drwx 512 Feb 28 1993 14:08:24 -10:00 c3750e-universalk9-mz.122-55.SE1
452 -rwx 9306 Mar 2 2020 08:21:40 -10:00 private-config.text.backup

57671680 bytes total (19700736 bytes free)

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Look at that code, 15.0(2)SE.  It is a "version" 0.  

That is where the problem is.  Reboot that stack and upgrade the firmware before Cisco removes all 3750X firmware.

[GlennF]

Thanks!

Would you recommend going to 15.2.4E10 MD (c3750e-universalk9-mz.152-4.E10.bin), which is the Suggested Release version from Cisco?  Can I go straight to this version from the current version?  Anything to be aware of when upgrading to latest recommended version?

[Leo Laohoo]

15.2(4)E10 is a stable version.  I have been using version 15.2(4)E10 in "extreme" network environment since mid-2020 and months before Cisco made this a "star" release. 

NOTE:  "extreme" network condition means 802.1x and DNAC "managed".  

[marce1000]

             - Try fsck flash:

 M.