Cisco Catalyst Password Recovery Procedure

This procedure is used for recover switch 2900, 3500, and 3750 series.
1. Connect to switch with console
2. Unplug power cable
3. Hold down mode button when reconnect the power cable to bring to switch: mode


Catalyst Switch Series
LED Behavior and Mode Button Release Action

2900XL, 3500XL, 3550
Release the Mode button when the LED above Port1x goes out.

2940, 2950
Release the Mode button after approximately 5 seconds when the Status (STAT) LED goes out. When you release the Mode button, the SYST LED blinks amber.

2960, 2970
Release the Mode button when the SYST LED blinks amber and then turns solid green. When you release the Mode button, the SYST LED blinks green.

3560, 3750
Release the Mode button after approximately 15 seconds when the SYST LED turns solid green. When you release the Mode button, the SYST LED blinks green.

4. Type flash_init
switch: flash_init
5. Issue load_helper command
switch: load_helper
6. Issue dir flash: command
switch: dir flash:
7. Type rename flash:config.txt flash:config.old to rename configuration file
switch: rename flash:config.txt flash:config.old
8. Issue boot command to boot the system
switch: boot
9. Enter "n" to abort initial configuration dialog
10. Enter enable mode
switch>en
switch#
11. Restore configuration file using rename flash:config.old flash:config.txt
switch#rename flash:config.old flash:config.txt
12. Copy configuration file into memory
switch#copy flash:config.txt system:running-config
13. Overwrite current password
switch#conf t
switch(config)#ena sec cisco
switch(config)#line vty 0 4
switch(config-line)#login
swicth(config-line)#pass cisco
switch(config)#line con 0
switch(config)#line con 0
switch(config-line)#pass cisco
14. Save configuration
switch#wr mem