HDD GURU FORUMS

i got a router off ebay and it didnt come with a flash card. when it boots, right away it gives an error about the clash card missing and stops. Do i just need to to get a card and it will boot, or does something need to be on this card?

depends on the router.
maybe you can get a flash card, then boot in recovery mode, tftp an image on with a downloaded firmware update. or recover via XMODEM. Ive done this with HP switch and it is slow but does work.
read the documentation of the manual related to recovering a bricked device (or google for someone that has done it and written it up). Cisco devices are usually recoverable no matter how bad you botch it.

I don't have one of those exact Cisco's, all mine are newer but you may be able to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTO5qxti-I

just be very careful when entering commands, if you mess up you have to start again, and it is fairly time consuming.