Erik

If the IOS really requiring that you erase flash or is it just prompting you about erasing flash? I agree with you that if there is sufficient room for the second image in flash that the router should just do the copy - and most platforms it does just that. But I have experiences with 1721 routers when I do a copy tftp flash that the router always asks if I want to erase flash, and the default answer is yes. But if I say no, then the router goes ahead and does the copy. I have never understood why the behavior was different, but have learned to adapt to it. I suspect the same thing may be happening with your router. If you respond no to the prompt does it go ahead and copy?

HTH

Rick