Problem with system flash (Device not programmable) for 2501

mista_eng

Hey guys, great community you have here.

I bought a Cisco kit off of eBay from a seller with many positive cisco related sales and didn't think there would be any problem. I am currently studying for the CCNA exam and am unfamiliar with some aspects. The seller has already replaced a dead power supply, but now, after reaching the IOS versions, boot modes, and configuration subject matter, I discovered the reason why the 2501 seemed very limited in functionality. It was in boot mode with the configuration register set to 0x2141 or something strange like that so I set it to 0x2101 instead. I attempted to upload a new IOS image to the device but received the following:

Router(boot)#copy tftp flash
ERR: Device in READ-ONLY state

Following that, I looked to see how what hardware configuration the router had:

Router(boot)>sh ver
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS (tm) 3000 Bootstrap Software (IGS-BOOT-R), Version 11.0(10c), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-1996 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 27-Dec-96 17:33 by loreilly
Image text-base: 0x01010000, data-base: 0x00001000

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.0(10c), SOFTWARE

Router uptime is 41 minutes
System restarted by reload
Running default software

cisco 2500 (68030) processor (revision N) with 14336K/2048K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID 05945342, with hardware revision 00000000
X.25 software, Version 2.0, NET2, BFE and GOSIP compliant.
1 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface.
2 Serial network interfaces.
32K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Device not programmable)

Configuration register is 0x2101

Router(boot)>
Router(boot)>show flash

System flash directory:
No files in System flash
[0 bytes used, 16777216 available, 16777216 total]
16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Device not programmable)

What exactly does the text in bold mean and what do I need to do to get it up and running? Is this a problem correctable through configuration commands or do I need to contact the seller or purchase a new part? Unfortunately, I've already left positive feedback for the guy before I knew what exactly I had on my hands. I wish I had discovered this forum before the purchase; it would have saved a lot of time since all of the relevant knowledge is located in one place.

Well, I'll be studying with the rest of you guys regardless of how this pans out!

Netstudent

Check the nomenclature on the flash card and make sure it is compatible with your model.

mista_eng

I just took a look at the modules and they are made by AMD with the following marks: AM29F016D-90EC.

Well, I swapped module sets between the 2501 and 2514 (this one had Intel flash) and both now show up as:

16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

Very strange... could it be that the 2514 has a larger compatibility base? Hrmm... oh well.

EDIT: Hrm the AMD flash seems to have a probem:

ERR: Invalid chip id 0x80B5 (reversed = 0x1AD ) detected in System flashcisco 25
00 (68030) processor (revision D) with 16380K/2048K bytes of memory.
Processor board serial number 01781168
X.25 software, Version 2.0, NET2, BFE and GOSIP compliant.
Authorized for Enterprise software set. (0x0)
2 Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces.
2 Serial network interfaces.
32K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
16384K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

I'll update this as I go along.

Netstudent

I would send that AMD back to the seller and ask for an Intel flashcard that is compatible with the 2500 series.

mista_eng

Yeah, I sent an email asking about it and if an exchange would be possible. Grrr...