Password Recovery Procedure
Not surprisingly, the instructions for Cisco Password Recovery Procedure are found readily on the internet via any search engine. On this page, one merely needs to scroll down to the particular product series and click the respective link. We are interesting in the documentation for Password Recovery of the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 fixed configuration switches 2900XL/3500XL, 2940, 2950/2955, 2960, and 2970 Series, as well as the Cisco Catalyst Layer 3 fixed configuration switches 3550, 3560, and 3750 Series.
To start the password recovery procedure for the Catalyst 2950, just follow the instructions in the link above. Or the abbreviated version here:
- Unplug the switch
- Press and hold the “Mode” button while plugging in the switch
- Release the “Mode” button once the “Stat” stops blinking green (~5 sec)
- At this point the terminal display should yield the following prompt:
- Enter the command:
- The switch will say “Initializing Flash…” and run for a bit. At the prompt, type:
- The command prompt will return immediately, then type:
(yes, you need to enter the colon (:) after the word “flash”)
- This will give you a directory listing of the flash storage. Type:
- The “config.text” file in the “flash:” storage contains the password information. By renaming the “config.text” file to “config.old”, we are effectively removing the switch configuration file and making a backup of it. (In case we need it for later.)
- Once this is done, Restart the switch. Type:
- The switch will reboot and a bunch of start-up text will scroll by and eventually show:
- Enter “n” at the prompt to abort the initial configuration dialog.
- Then press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard to get started.
- Your system now has NO password protecting it.
