Well, this took some effort but the steps can be reproduced quite quickly.
The biggest problem is that I can not figure out a way to flash the BOOT ROM without using the serial console cable, which is a big pain in the ass! I was able to get the application ROM updated using TFTP but the switch was wonky without a upgraded BOOT ROM, so the instructions below cover only the serial console cable method:
- Get a serial console cable. Note that I went through several of them before I found one that would let me SEND characters to the device; I could see the switches boot activity but nothing I typed would appear on the console window… so if you have this problem, get another cable!
- Get a terminal program. Windows Vista and 7 removed HyperTerminal (which is quite annoying) but you can download a free, fully functional version for 30 days from hilgraeve.com/hyperterminal-trial .
- Start your HyperTerminal using the following settings:
connect using COM1 (or whatever port you are using)
19 200 bits/sec
8 data bits
No parity
1 stop bit
No flow control - Power up your 4200G (or similar aged 3Com switch)
- In the Hyperterminal Window you will see something like, and you will have just a second or two press CONTROL+B to endter the book menu:
Starting……
***********************************************************
* * * Switch 4200G 24-Port BOOTROM, Version 1.00 * * * ***********************************************************
Copyright (c) 2004-2005 3Com Corporation and its licensors.
Creation date : Nov 20 2006, 17:02:48
CPU type : BCM5836
CPU Clock Speed : 200MHz
BUS Clock Speed : 33MHz
Memory Size : 64MB
Mac Address : 0017e01f7a40
Press Ctrl-B to enter Boot Menu… 2 - Update the boot rom first, by selecting item 6 (ENTER BOOT ROM UPGRADE MENU)
- Select, Type 3 (XMODEM) and a speed of 19200
- In your HYPERTERMINAL click TRANSFER, select XMODEM and then select the boot rom file in question, in my case that was s3u02_03.btm
- Wait for the file to complete its transfer, then reboot, and notice that the BOOTROM VERSION line should match what you upgraded
- Next, upgrade the application firmware by again quickly pressing CONTROL+B on boot
- Select option 1 which is ENTER APPLICATION ROM UPGRADE MENU
- Again Select, Type 3 (XMODEM) and a speed of 19200
- In your HYPERTERMINAL click TRANSFER, select XMODEM and then select the application rom file in question, in my case that was s3t03_02_04s56.app
- Reboot and have a nice day.
You may find some of these links useful… I know I did:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1747256-wants_reset_3824_3com_switch_via_console
http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/A-Series/3com-4200g/td-p/2318173
http://www.fixya.com/support/t352248-3com_3824
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Networking/Misc/Q_21850995.html (scroll to the very bottom)
http://www.pantz.org/hardware/switches/3com3300passreset.html
http://administradores.educarex.es/wiki/images/2/24/Dua1730-0baa03.pdf
4 Comments
Jeff · November 28, 2017 at 10:30 pm
I have an issue when transferring via xmodem, it gets stuck on packet #6. Do you know what problem this might be?
hazzmatt · September 15, 2014 at 8:48 am
Thanks Ian, it’s still helpfull in 2014 🙂
It’s save me a couple of hour…
masoud shafipour · September 2, 2014 at 2:34 am
hi after press clt+B
want a password like this command
password:
how to solve or remove this password
Ian Matthews · September 18, 2014 at 7:27 pm
Sorry, I do not know.