User guide

B-14 Cisco 2500 Series Access Server User Guide

Recovering a Lost Enable Password

Step 5 Reinstall the chassis on the wall, rack, desktop, or table.

Step 6 Replace all cables.

Recovering a Lost Enable Password

This section describes in outline and then in detail how to recover a lost enable password.

Note Recovering a lost password is possible on the enable password. Systems running

Cisco IOS Release 10.3(2) or later use the enable secret password, which is encrypted and

must be replaced with a new enable secret. See the section “Hot Tips” on CIO for

information on replacing enable secret passwords.

• Enter the command show version to note the existing virtual conﬁguration register

value.

• Break to the bootstrap program prompt (ROM monitor). This will require a reload of the

image.

• Change the conﬁguration register to 0x142 (ignore break; ignore NVRAM; boot from

Flash memory).

Note A key to recovering a lost enable password is to set the conﬁguration register so that

the contents of NVRAM are ignored (0x0040), allowing you to see your password.

• Enter privileged mode in the system bootstrap program.

• Enter the command show conﬁguration to display the enable password.

• Change the conﬁguration register value back to its original setting.