ROMmon Recovery Procedure for the Cisco 1000 Series Router

Introduction

This page explains how to recover a Cisco 1000 Series Router stuck in ROMmon (rommon # > prompt).

Prerequisites

Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this document.

Components Used

The information in this document is based on the hardware version below:

• Cisco 1000 Series Router

The information presented in this document was created from devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If you are working in a live network, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command before using it.

Conventions

For more information on document conventions, see the Cisco Technical Tips Conventions.

Procedure

Follow the instructions below to perform ROMmon recovery:

1. Issue the dev command to see which devices are available on your router:

   rommon 1 > dev
   Devices in device table: 
           id  name
       eprom:  eprom
       flash:  PCMCIA slot 1
   rommon 2 > 
   

2. Issue the dir [device ID] command for each available device, and look for a valid Cisco IOS® software image:

   rommon 3 > dir flash:
           File size            Checksum      File name 
     3407884 bytes (0x804b4c)    0x6ba0    c1000-y-mz.121-6 
   rommon 4 > 

3. Try to boot from that image.

   • If the file is valid, this brings you back to normal operation mode.

     rommon 5 > boot flash:c1000-y-mz.121-6 
     program load complete, entry point: 0x80008000, size: 0x804a30 
     Self decompressing the image : ################################### 
     ########... 

   • If none of the files are valid, you need to download a new one using one of the following procedures:

     • Download using the Boot Image and a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Server

       Since the 1000 Series Router has its boot image in ROM, it cannot be corrupted and is always available. This procedure is faster than the Xmodem download.

       See How To Upgrade from ROMmon Using the Boot Image for the detailed instructions.

       If you are unable to go to Rx-boot mode, the problem is probably hardware-related.

     • Use Another Router to Get a Valid Cisco IOS Software Image into the PCMCIA Card

       If you have another similar router, or at least one other router which has a compatible PCMCIA Flash card filesystem (see PCMCIA Filesystem Compatibility Matrix and Filesystem Information), you can also use that Flash card to recover the router.

       • If both routers are identical (in the same series), you can use the Flash card from the other router to boot the one you want to recover.

       • If both routers are different, but have a compatible PCMCIA Flash card filesystem, you can use the other router to load a Cisco IOS software image into a Flash card which you can then move to the router you are trying to recover.

Related Information

• Cisco Software Center ( registered customers only)
• Technical Support - Cisco Systems