View source for Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings

== Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings ==

To perform this reset you must have privileged EXEC access on the router.  If you don't you must perform the 
password recovery procedure at [[Password Recovery for Cisco Router 1841]] first.

There are a couple of methods for resetting a Cisco 1841 router to it's factory default settings.

== Method #1 ==

1. Use the '''show version''' command to see if the configuration register is set to 0x2102.  If it isn't then enter the following:

 router#configure terminal
 router(config)#config-register 0x2102
 router(config)#end
 router#

When you enter '''show version''' again the output will show '''(will be 0x2102 at next reload)''' after the current register setting.

2. Enter '''write erase''' to erase the start-up configuration.

3. Enter '''reload''' to reload the router.  Do not save the configuration when prompted.

 router#reload
 System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n
 Proceed with reload? [confirm]

When the router is done reloading the System Configuration Dialog is displayed.

  --- System Configuration Dialog ---
 Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]:

The router has the factory default settings now.



== Method #2 ==

The first method used the '''config-register 0x2102''' command in global configuration mode.  This method will use the '''config-register 0x2142''' command in global configuration mode.

1. Enter '''config-register 0x2142''' command.  Be sure you are in global configuration mode.

 router#configure terminal
 router(config)#config-register 0x2142
 router(config)#end
 router#

2. Reload the router by entering the '''reload''' command.  Do not save the configuration when prompted.

 router#reload
 System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n
 Proceed with reload? [confirm]

3. The output shows "Would you like to enter the configuration dialog?".  Enter '''no'''.

4. Go back into global configuration mode and enter '''config-register 0x2102''' to enable the router to use the start-up configuration file again.

5. Enter '''write memory''' in enable mode to save the runnning-config to the startup-config.

6. In enable mode enter the '''reload''' command to reload the router with the new startup configuration.

When the router is done reloading the System Configuration Dialog is displayed.

  --- System Configuration Dialog ---
 Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]:

The router has the factory default settings now.



*[[Password Recovery and Device Reset Procedures]]