Skip Links

Network World

Brad Reese

How to reset a Cisco router to factory default (removing the startup configuration file)

By Brad Reese on Mon, 04/28/08 - 5:08am.

Cisco How-To Tutorials

To reset a Cisco router to factory default (removing the startup configuration file), perform these steps:

1. To erase the configuration file, issue the erase nvram: command.

Reload the router by issuing the reload command. 2. If this does not solve the problem, attempt to break into ROM Monitor (ROMmon) by issuing the break sequence (usually Ctrl and break from the Hyperterminal) from a console connection.

Refer to:

Cisco Standard Break Key Combinations

You should see this ROMmon prompt:

rommon 1>

3. Change the configure register value to ignore the startup configuration by issuing the confreg command, as shown in this example:

rommon 2> confreg 0x2142

4. To reload the router, issue the reset command, as shown in this example:

rommon 3> reset

5. After the router boots, issue the enable command at the Router > prompt.

The prompt changes to Router#, indicating that the router is now in privileged mode.

6. To enter config mode, issue the config terminal command.

You should now see a Router(config)# prompt.

7. To change the configure register to recognize the startup configuration, issue the config-register command, as shown in this example:

Router (config)# config-register 0x2102

To break out of configuration mode, press Cntl and Z.

To save the blank configuration, issue the copy-running config-startup config command.


View more Cisco How-To Tutorials

Contact Brad Reese
http://www.BradReese.Com

Brad's Top 5 Story Picks
# 1. Cisco skills shortage is baloney, expert says
# 2. Q & A with the ex-Cisco star who joined ethernet fabric switching startup, Woven Systems
# 3. Earth Day message from BradReese.Com
# 4. Vyatta: Cisco's product line remains locked up tighter than Fort Knox
# 5. Help on the way for SMB telephony reseller margins being squeezed to death by Cisco
Story Archives Brad Reese on Cisco Story Archives

Cisco Repair

Cisco Resumes

Cisco Power Supplies

2008 Cisco Salary Rates

  

About Brad Reese on Cisco

Brad Reese cofounded BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished, which enables affordable Cisco networks globally by assuring customer satisfaction with guaranteed one year warranties on both Cisco Repair as well as Refurbished Cisco.

Don't be shy, contact Brad Reese online or call him at 646-827-1130.

 

Most Discussed Posts

On The Web
Twitter