Table Of Contents

Recovering a Lost Enable Password

Recovering a Lost Enable Password

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This appendix describes how to recover a password that you configured with the enable command (enable password).

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Note   You can recover a lost enable password, but not a password that you configured with the enable secret command (enable secret password). This password is encrypted and must be replaced with a new enable secret password. See the "Hot Tips" section on Cisco Connection Online (CCO) for information on replacing enable secret passwords.

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Follow these steps to recover a lost enable password:

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Step 1 Connect an ASCII terminal or a PC running a terminal emulation program to the Console port. For more information, see the Cisco 805 Router Hardware Installation Guide.

Step 2 Configure the terminal at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.

Step 3 Reboot the router.

Step 4 From user EXEC mode, display the existing configuration register value:

Router> show version

Step 5 Record the setting of the configuration register. The setting is usually 0x2102 or 0x102.

Step 6 Record the break setting.

•Break enabled—bit 8 is set to 0.

•Break disabled (default setting)—bit 8 is set to 1.

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Note   To enable break, enter the config-register 0x01 global configuration command.

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Step 7 Do one of the following:

•If break is enabled, go to Step 8.

•If break is disabled, turn the router to STANDBY, wait 5 seconds, and turn it to ON again. Before the terminal displays Boot......, press Escape or Control-C. The terminal displays the ROM monitor prompt (boot #). Go to Step 9.

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Note   Some terminal keyboards have a key labeled Break. If your keyboard does not have a Break key, refer to the documentation that came with the terminal for instructions on how to send a break.

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Step 8 Send a break. The terminal displays the following prompt:

boot#

Step 9 Reset the configuration register:

boot# set ios-conf=142

Step 10 Initialize the router:

boot# boot [flash]

The router cycles its power, and the configuration register is set to 0x142. The router uses the boot ROM system image, indicated by the system configuration dialog:

--- System Configuration Dialog --- 

Step 11 Enter no in response to the prompts until the following message is displayed:

Press RETURN to get started! 

Step 12 Press Return. The following prompt appears:

router>

Step 13 Enter privileged EXEC mode:

router> enable

The prompt changes to the privileged EXEC prompt:

router#

Step 14 Display the enable password in the configuration file:

router# show startup-config

Step 15 Enter configuration mode:

router# configure terminal

Step 16 Reset the configuration register:

router# config-register value

Specify the value that you recorded in Step 5 (usually 0x2102 or 0x102).

Step 17 Press Ctrl-Z to exit configuration mode.

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Note   To return to the configuration being used before recovering the lost enable password, do not save the configuration changes before rebooting the router.

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Step 18 Reboot the router, and enter the recovered password.