How to upgrade IOS on a Cisco router with built-in flash memory

Step 1: Establish a console session to the router

Even if it is possible to connect to the router through a telnet session, it is strongly recommended to be directly connected to the router using the console port. The reason is that if something goes wrong during the upgrade, it might be necessary to be physically located next to the router to power-cycle it. Moreover, the telnet connection will be lost while the router is rebooting during the upgrade procedure.

A rolled cable (usually a flat black cable) is used to connect the console port of the router to one of the COM ports of the PC.

Once the PC is connected to the console port of the router, you need to open Hyperterminal on the PC, and use the following settings:

Speed 9600 bits per second

8 databits

0 parity bits

1 stop bit

No Flow Control
Note: If you are getting any garbage characters in the hyperterminal session, this means that you have not set the hyperterminal properties properly, or the config-register of the router is set to a non-standard value for which the console connection speed is higher than 9600 bps. Check the value of the config-register using the show version command (shown in the last line of the output) and ensure it is set to 0x2102 or 0x102. It is necessary to reload the router for a configuration register change to take effect. Once you are sure the console speed is set to 9600 bps on the router side, you should check the hyperterminal properties as above .

Booting Problems

Once you are connected to the console port of the router, you might notice that the router is either in ROMmon or Boot mode. These two modes are used for recovery and/or diagnostic procedures. If you do not see the usual router prompt, you should follow the recommendations below to proceed with the upgrade procedure installation.

Router boots in rommon mode, and the following message appears when you issue dir flash: command.
rommon 1 > dir flash:
device does not contain a valid magic number
dir: cannot open device "flash:"
rommon 2 >
When you see the above error message, it means the Flash is empty or the filesystem is corrupted. A Xmodem console download procedure using ROMmon may then be necessary.

Router boots in boot mode, with the following messages on the console:
router(boot)>
device does not contain a valid magic number
boot: cannot open "flash:"
boot: cannot determine first file name on device "flash:"
When you get the above error messages on the console output, it means the Flash is empty or the file system is corrupted. Copy a valid image on the Flash by following the procedures provided in this document.

Step 2: Verify that the TFTP server has IP connectivity to the router

The TFTP server must have a network connection to the router, and must be able to ping the IP address of the router targeted for a TFTP software upgrade. To achieve this, the router interface and the TFTP server must have:

an IP address in the same range, or
a default gateway configured.
To verify this, check the IP address of the TFTP server.

Step 3: Copy the new image into the Flash memory of the 2600 Series Router through the TFTP server
Now that you have IP connectivity and can ping between the computer acting as a TFTP server and the router, you can copy the Cisco IOS Software image into the Flash.
Note: Before copying, make sure you have started the TFTP server software on your PC and that you have the filename mentioned in the TFTP server root directory. We recommend that you keep a backup of the router/access server configuration before upgrading. The upgrade itself does not affect the configuration (which is stored in nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM). However, this might happen if the right steps are not followed properly.

For RCP applications, substitute RCP for every occurrence of TFTP. For example, use the copy rcp flash command instead of the copy tftp flash command.

2600> enable
Password:xxxxx
2600#
2600# copy tftp flash
If necessary, you can copy an image from one device to another.

Specify the IP address of the TFTP server.
When prompted, enter the IP address of the TFTP server as in the following example:

Address or name of remote host []? 10.10.10.2
Specify the filename of the new Cisco IOS Software image.
When prompted, enter the filename of the Cisco IOS Software image to be installed, as in the following example:

Source filename []? c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin
Note: The filename is case sensitive, so be sure to enter it correctly.

Specify the destination filename.
This is the name the new software image will have when it is loaded onto the router. The image can be named anything, but common practice is to enter the same image filename.

Destination filename []? c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin
Note: If you see the below error message:

%Error copying tftp://10.10.10.2/c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin
(Not enough space on device)
This indicates that there is not enough room available in Flash to copy the image. You need to erase a file(s) before copying the new image from the TFTP server.

Upgrade the new image from a TFTP server
2610#copy tftp flash
Address or name of remote host []? 10.10.10.2
Source filename []? c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin
Destination filename [c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin]?y
Accessing tftp://10.10.10.2/c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin...
Erase flash: before copying? [confirm]y !---If there is not enough
!--- memory available, erase the Flash
Erasing the flash filesystem will remove all files! Continue? [confirm]y
Erasing device... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeee ...erased
Erase of flash: complete
Loading c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin from 10.10.10.2 (via Ethernet0/0): !!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[OK - 4501480/9001984 bytes]

Verifying checksum... OK (0xAC8A)
4501480 bytes copied in 56.88 secs (80383 bytes/sec)
The copying process takes several minutes; the time differs from network to network. During the copy process, messages are displayed to indicate which file has been accessed.

The exclamation point "!" indicates that the copy process is taking place. Each exclamation point indicates that ten packets have been transferred successfully. A checksum verification of the image occurs after the image is written to Flash memory.

After you have upgraded the Flash, you need to reload the router using the reload command.

Before you reload the router, you need to check two things:

The value of the config-register - You can check this using the show version command. The value is shown in the last line of the show version output. It should be set to 0x2102.
2610#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
2610(config)#config-register 0x2102
2610(config)#^Z
The other files on the Flash - If the first file in the Flash is not the Cisco IOS Software image, but a configuration file or something else, then you need to configure a boot system statement in order to boot the specified image. Otherwise, the router will try to boot with the configuration file or the first file in the Flash; this will not work. If there is only one file in the Flash which is the Cisco IOS Software image, then this step is not necessary.
2610#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
2610(config)#no boot system
2610(config)#boot system flash c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin
2610(config)#^Z
Note: If you type the reload command, the router asks you if you want to save the configuration. You should be very cautious here. The reason is that if the router is in boot mode for instance, it is a subset of the full Cisco IOS software which is running and there is no routing functionality. Therefore, all the routing configuration is gone in the running configuration and if you save the configuration at this time, then you erase the good startup-configuration in NVRAM and replace it by the incomplete running-configuration. Save the configuration only if you are sure that you have the full configuration in the output of show run. It is NOT necessary to save the configuration to take into account the new config-register if this one has been changed previously. That is done automatically.

2610#reload

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: y
Building configuration...
[OK]
Proceed with reload? [confirm]y
Verify that the router is running with the proper image. After the reload is complete, the router should be running the desired Cisco IOS Software image. Use the show version command to verify.

2610#show version
00:22:25: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software
IOS (tm) C2600 Software (C2600-I-M), Version 12.1(14), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2002 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Mon 25-Mar-02 20:33 by kellythw
Image text-base: 0x80008088, data-base: 0x80828788

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 11.3(2)XA4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

2610 uptime is 22 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload
System image file is "flash:c2600-i-mz.121-14.bin"

How to break Linux ROOT password?

METHOD 1

Here are the all steps to change password for root in linux:
1)when u reached at the grub screen press 'e' on linux
2)line which contains the word 'kernell' press 'e'
3)go to end of that line and write 'linux single'
4)the press 'esc' twice and press 'b' to reboot the system
5) now wait for the prompt u get, write easy command there:
passwd root

OR

METHOD 2

Please try out the following steps to change the root password:
1. Boot the computer with Linux Installation CD.
2. Enter into Linux Rescue mode by enering the following command in boot screen.
boot: linux rescue
3. When the sh prompt is reached, enter the following commands to change root password.
#chroot /mnt/sysimage
#passwd
The above steps will prompt you to enter your new password.

How to block Messenger (or other apps) via Group Policy

Q: Is there an easy way to block the messenger services (especially msn messenger) at say the SBS2003 server level (ie so no client computers can connect)?

A: You can handle that by a GP and the options within the Group Policy to
either allow Messenger to work or even load as far as that goes.

Open Server Management and then Drill down to Advanced Management and then Group Policy Management and then Domains and then Your Domain Name and then Group Policy
Objects and then right click on Small Business Server Client Computer and
then Edit.

This will open the Policy Editor and under Computer Configuration and then Windows Components and then Windows Messenger you have 2 options there to turn off Messenger for running and or loading initially.

Also in this Policy there is a place to not allow certain Applications to run. Just add the exe for Yahoo here and this will block that from running also. This works on 2000 Pro Workstations and above.

How to Tweak PC Shutdown

Shut Down Windows XP in Different Ways

There are so many different ways to turn off your Windows XP computer, let's look at some of them:
1. The standard approach - click the Start Button with your mouse, then select the Turn Off menu and finally click the Turn Off icon on the Turn Off computer dialog. blink.gif

2. Press Ctrl+Esc key or the Win key and press u two times - the fastest approach.

3. Get the Shutdown utility from Download.com - it add the shut down shortcuts for you. Else create them yourself using approach

4. 4. Create a shutdown shortcut on your desktop. Right click on the desktop, choose New Shortcut and type shutdown -s -t 00 in the area where you are asked to specify the location of the program file. Now you can just double click this icon to turn off the computer. The best location would be your quick launch bar.

5. Press the Win key + R key to open the run window. Type shutdown -s -t 00. [s means shutdown while t means the duration after which you want to initiate the shutdown process]. If some open processes or application won't let you turn off, append a -f switch to force a shut down by closing all active processes.

6. Win+M to minimize all windows and then Alt+F4 to bring the Turn Off computer dialog.

7. Open Windows Task manager (by right clicking the Windows Task bar or Alt+Ctrl+Del) and choose Shut down from the menu. Useful when the Windows are not responding.

8. open task manager--->click on shutdown--->hold the ctrl key and click on Turn off::::::: pc will be turned off in 3 secs.. fastest method other than hard shutdown

How to tweak Google Search for files on megaupload & rapidshare

Search with Google for files on rapidshare or Megaupload servers.
The uploaded filename is contained in the Rapidshare and megaupload URLs.
This will help us find what is posted on rapidshare/megaupload for download.

To search for ebooks and documents in PDF format on Rapidshare:
pdf “rapidshare.de/files” site:rapidshare.de

To download movies and video files:
+inurl:avi|mpg|wmv site:rapidshare.de

To download mp3 files from rapidshare:
+inurl:wma|mp3 site:rapidshare.de

To download software, zipped files, programs from rapidshare:
+inurl:exe|rar|zip site:rapidshare.de

Replace rapidshare.de with megaupload.com to search for files available on
MegaUpload.com servers.

How to restrict access to the Control Panel on windows

This tweak will restrict access to the control panel.

How To:-

Start>Run>Regedit>OK

Navigate to the following locations:-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Create a new DWORD value, called 'NoControlPanel' set the value to :-
'1'=enable the restriction.
'0'=disable the restriction

How to hack Windows XP Home to Windows XP Pro FREE!

Enable the features found in Windows XP Professional on your Windows XP Home Edition installation with this hack. It will allow you to turn your Windows XP Home CD into a Windows XP Professional CD.

Note: If your Windows XP CD does not contain Service Pack 2, you might want to Slipstream Your Windows XP CD first as you will not be able to upgrade an installation after using the CD.

1. Copy the root directory and the i386 directory of the WindowsXP CD to your hard drive.

2. Extract the Bootsector of your Windows XP CD. You can use BBIE to do this.

3. Click START–>RUN–>REGEDIT

4. Highlight HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

5. Click FILE–>LOAD HIVE and select the Setupreg.hiv file
This file is located in the i386 folder. Use the one you extracted to your hard drive from your Windows XP CD.

6. Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Homekey\ControlSet001\Services\setupdd

7. Edit the DEFAULT key and change the following values:

01 to 00
02 to 00

8. Change the name to the value HOMEKEY to anything.

9. Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Homekey\ControlSet001\Services\setupdd

Edit the DEFAULT key and change the following values:

01 to 00
02 to 00

10. Highlight HOMEKEY and select FILE–>UNLOAD HIVE

You can now burn the data on your hard drive to a CD to make a new Windows XP CD. Then use the CD to install Windows XP. Be sure to make the CD bootable. You can use the instructions here to help you do that.

N.B Please note I haven't tested this myself as i got my genuine XP PRO - However feel free to add comments on your results!