Problems with my router

MartyMcFly1985 · ‎04-21-2008

I have a 851w router that I just recently bought.

Seems someone hacked into it and made it a paperweight.

Output from Console is the following:

"System Bootstrap, Version 12.3(8r)YI4, RELEASE SOFTWARE

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

C850 series (Board ID: 4-149) platform with 65536 Kbytes of main memory

flashfs[0]: unable to allocate available block.

flash: file system initialization failed

Could not open boot directory: flash:/

Unable to open boot file

System Bootstrap, Version 12.3(8r)YI4, RELEASE SOFTWARE

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

C850 series (Board ID: 4-149) platform with 65536 Kbytes of main memory

flashfs[0]: unable to allocate available block.

flash: file system initialization failed

Could not open boot directory: flash:/

Unable to open boot file

System Bootstrap, Version 12.3(8r)YI4, RELEASE SOFTWARE

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

C850 series (Board ID: 4-149) platform with 65536 Kbytes of main memory

rommon 1 >"

Question is, how can I recover it? I assume I need the IOS image somehow.

Any ideas?

Thank you!

keeleym · ‎04-21-2008

Hi There

At present another IOS is not going to help as the router can not see the system Flash memory.

=======================================

flashfs[0]: unable to allocate available block.

flash: file system initialization failed

Could not open boot directory: flash:/

Unable to open boot file

==========================================

This might be something as simple as the flash not making a good connection. The first thing that I would advise is to open up the router and reseat the flash.

Failing this the flash could possibly be damaged/corrupt and you may need to buy more flash.

Has this router worked for you previously? Is there any chance that someone has removed the flash from the router?

Just some ideas.

Best Regards,

Michael

MartyMcFly1985 · ‎04-22-2008

Seems there are no flash card in it, so it must be built in I guess. The flash slot and the memory slot are both empty.

It has worked. Only people who can physically access the router is me.

So any ideas? Looks like this one is going back in unless I can figure out somethinig.

Pravin Phadte · ‎05-12-2008

i would suggest to reuplod the ios.

noran01 · ‎05-13-2008

I would just reload the IOS; then make sure you secure it. Follow this guide for using TFTP to load a new IOS:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/access/800/850/software/configuration/guide/rommon.html#wp1020643

shane.kearney · ‎06-10-2008

Hi,

I had the same issue with my router, someone "me" erased the flash, I got basically the same message as above, if this did indeed work for you before then I would erase the flash and reload the IOS using tftp or xmodem. It's a pain but can be fixed.

Also it gives you some experience loading an IOS onto the router.

hope this helps.

batsoton2006 · ‎06-19-2008

Not sure about this model router.

However with some Cisco kit after you erase the flash, you need to format it again!

Pravin Phadte · ‎06-19-2008

Hi,

Erasing flash show do it. try uploading the ios.

If that gives you the same error again then format the flash.

Regards

Pravin

MartyMcFly1985 · ‎06-27-2008

Thanks, I got help from Cisco support with this issue. Luckily they sent me a copy of the IOS image so I could upload it and restore the router. It was a lot of work but a nice experience after all.