Reset CISCO router to factory defaults

CAUTION: This procedure will erase all your router's configuration.

To reset your CISCO router password, you need to access the ROM Monitor mode. To access the ROM Monitor mode, start your minicom and reboot your CISCO router. Upon booting send the CTR+BREAK sequence by pressing CTRL-A F on your keyboard.

System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(8r) [cmong 8r], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)               
Copyright (c) 2003 by cisco Systems, Inc.                                           
C2600 platform with 98304 Kbytes of main memory

program load complete, entry point: 0x80008000, size: 0xacc0f0
Self decompressing the image : ########################
monitor: command "boot" aborted due to user interrupt
rommon 1 > 
rommon 1 > 

Then type this command to change the router's configuration register to 0x2142.

You must reset or power cycle for new config to take effect

You can now login to the router without password. Configure your router again and set your password.

Then change your configuration register to its default value 0x2102

Verify your configuration register if its set to its default value. Issue this command.

You will see the configuration register value below.

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software 
IOS (tm) C2600 Software (C2600-IK8O3S-M), Version 12.2(24a), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
Copyright (c) 1986-2004 by cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 28-May-04 20:34 by pwade
Image text-base: 0x8000808C, data-base: 0x812D11C0

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(8r) [cmong 8r], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Router uptime is 9 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:c2611.bin"


This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html
          
If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.
          
cisco 2611XM (MPC860P) processor (revision 0x200) with 93184K/5120K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID JAE080309QM (770573440)
M860 processor: part number 5, mask 2
Bridging software.
X.25 software, Version 3.0.0.
2 FastEthernet/IEEE 802.3 interface(s)
32K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
32768K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)
          
Configuration register is 0x2102