Okay so I happen to get some phones, Cisco 9971's for free. NICE! I plug them into a POE switch without the Cisco server. On some sets I see the config and it says phone not registered. I can get in and do changes. Three phones power up and then have a flashing session light on display session bottom right. I will assume it is looking for the switch? Is there a way to default these without the switch, or can anyone explain what is going on? I am not looking to install just looking to see if they work? Display shows Cisco logo but when I press the settings button it does nothing.

As with any IP device, if there is not a server present, it has no means to communicate. At a minimum, you need something to function as a DHCP server to hand out IP addresses to each device so that they maintain their own unique identity in the network. A router may provide this functionality, but again, without a server to connect them to anything, you just have a bunch of terminal devices looking for something to talk to.

Is there a way to default them so that the admin settings button shows. I have some that give me the admin menu and they say set not registered. that's good. The others sets don't do anything except show logo and the red light as described above. They are DHCP on the POE router. I am just trying to set if i can get the admin menu or do they need to be repaired.

okay so the Cisco screen pops up but that's it. Line light still flashing red.

Last thought I looked at the back of the 2 phones and they say this prototype unit is for evaluation purpose.Cisco logo's on back. What do you think?