Catalyst always drops to rommon

[Geoc]

After a rather lengthy struggle to get a dead catalyst 4224 up, running and configured (didn't even know what an IOS was a few weeks ago) -- I have one more glitch --

It seems that whenever I disconnect the hyperterminal session and/or reboot the Win 2K box to which the console port of the catalyst is connected, the switch quits, and subsequent reconnections result in a rommon> prompt, and a necessity to reset. After which, everything appears to work properly.

I'm fairly certain that what I'm missing here must be glaringly obvious, but ?????

What needs to be done to have the catalyst remain a-runnin' and a-routin' after I disconnect?

TIA

 

[BOKA]

I have not worked woth catalysts much, but what you are describing sounds like "SUN break problem".
I have had this problem with SUN systems - disconnect from a serial port while the system is on is interpreted as a "break" signal.
You may have accidentally enable "break" setting in the configuration register. Issue "sh ver" command, and the last line would be your config register settings. On routers it is usually 0x2102. That "1" (bit 8) is your break setting. If it is "1" - "break" is disabled and all is well (note - "break" will work regardless within 60 seconds of startup). If it is "0" - "break" is enabled and the box will drop to the rommon every time it gets or it thinks it gets a "break" signal.
To change you config register "break" setting:

system#conf t
system(config)#conf 0x.1..
CTRL-Z


Replace dots with your current values if all you need to change is "break" setting.

Good luck.