Problems Upgrading C3850 IOS

[mariusS]

Hello everyone,

i can‘t find a post about my topic that could help me.

I wanted to upgrade my Catalyst 3850 from the IOS Version cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.09.SPA.bin to the 

cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.10a.SPA.bin

after issuing the boot system flash:(new IOS) command and reloading the switch, the switch starts with the ROMMON mode. 
After trying to boot manually, the switch tells me that it‘s an invalid image.

I tried to load the older IOS version manually but then it kept saying: Not enough memory. 
The same thing happens when I try to boot from my USB.

Thanks for reading. I hope that someone can give me other Ideas to try before I do an emergency install. 

[balaji.bandi]

Did you deleted old .bin file from switch ?

If not you can still boot from that image when you are in ROMMON

or you have copy of OLD .BIN file copy to USB - make USB is recognised and FAT format and boot - before you upgrade to new version.

1. Verify that the flashdrive is recognized and the .bin file exists

switch: dir usbflash0:     or you can also do dir flash:

Directory of usbflash0:/

-rw- xxxx cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.09.SPA.bin

2. Boot to the USB image

switch: boot usbflash0:cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.09.SPA.bin

Once the switch booted as expected post below output :

show boot

show version

Upgrade to new image - use break key to get in ROMMON and boot with new image and see if that work.

1. Verify that the flashdrive is recognized and the .bin file exists

switch: dir usbflash0: or you can also do dir flash:

Directory of usbflash0:/

-rw- xxxx cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.10a.SPA.bin

2. Boot to the USB image

switch: boot usbflash0:cat3k_caa-universal9.16.12.10a.SPA.bin

then copy to Flash: check and boot variable

Note : we always suggest to go to Install mode.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/3se/system_management/configuration_guide/b_sm_3se_3850_cg/b_sm_3se_3850_cg_chapter_010100.html

[Leo Laohoo]

If the switch is still in ROMMON, post the complete output to the following commands: 

dir
set

[mariusS · Accepted solution]

I was able to solve the problem.

I fixed it by simply changing the BOOT Var back to the old version. It took a while because I had to reload the switch a couple of times before the switch actually wanted to take the old file (had to restart it about three times). 
Thanks for the nice and quick answers.

[mariusS]

I forgot to mention,

i repeated the whole upgrading process and it worked without any problems the second time.