Resetting a Cisco Switch to Default & Password Recovery

The first step is to connect a console cable to the COM port of your workstation to gain access to the switch. If your workstation doesn't have a COM port, you'll need a Serial to USB adapter as seen below.

Serial To USB Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156003

Below is a link to a standard Cisco console cable & attached is a picture to reference if you want to make sure you've got the right cable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833993038

There are several software products that will allow you to do this, but I recommend using Putty. It is the most accepted and easiest to use in my opinion.

To gain access to the console launch Putty and select the Serial radius button.

Download Putty Here
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html

To connect to a Cisco device via a Serial session a few settings need to be confirmed.

COM Port - (be sure the COM number is correct, if you are using a usb adapter it may not default to using COM1. It could be COM3 or 4, You'll need to confirm by looking in device manager)
Data Bits - set to 8
Stop Bits - set to 1
Parity - set to None
Flow Control - set to None

Once the settings are confirmed click Open, which starts the session.

Now with the terminal windows open, plug the console cable into the console port of the switch typically located on the back and labeled console.

Before powering on the switch hold the mode button located at the front of the switch on the left side.

Cisco Switches do not have an on\off switch, they are simply powered on by supplying power to them. At this now while still holding the mode button down, plug in the power cable.

Once characters are displayed on the screen release the mode button.

While the boot process is in order hit ctrl+pausebreak on your keyboard. If you are using a laptop may need to use a usb keyboard to hit these keys.

Switch: flash_init
Switch:dir flash:
Switch:flash:config.text flash:config.backup
Switch:boot

Would you like to enter the inital configuration dialog? no
Switch > enable
SW1#renameflash:config.backup config.text
SW1#copy flash:config.text system:running-config
SW1#config terminal
SW1(config)#no enable secret.
SW1(config)#exit
SW1(config)#wr