Can't upgrade Catalyst 2960S-48LPS-L to 15.0.2X

Question

I just purchased a new 2960S-48LPS-L. I can't upgrade it past 15.0.1-SE3. If I try to go any newer with the firmware it gives a licensing error. Then it boots into a cut mode of the IOS. Below is a copy of the licensing error after it boots to a newer IOS. The same error also appears in the switch log.
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Press RETURN to get started!
*Mar  1 00:00:09.332: Read env variable - LICENSE_BOOT_LEVEL = Mar 30 01:27:38.047: %IOS_LICENSE_IMAGE_APPLICATION-6-LICENSE_LEVEL: Module name = c2960s_lanbase Next reboot level = lanbase and License = No valid license found Mar 30 01:27:38.062: %LINK-4-NOMAC: A random default MAC address of 0000.0c8a.5700 has
  been chosen.  Ensure that this address is unique, or specify MAC
  addresses for commands (such as 'novell routing') that allow the
  use of this address as a default.
Mar 30 01:27:39.352: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted -- Cisco IOS Software, C2960S Software (C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.0(2)SE6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2) Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport Copyright (c) 1986-2014 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 09-Apr-14 03:09 by prod_rel_team

Answer 1

The switch does load the 15.0(2)SE6 and comes up to that prompt showing that there is no valid lanbase license. At that point it comes up to a cut version of the IOS it only shows a couple of enable and configuration commands (not the full list). It won't let me save the running configuration, it  also won't let me reboot the switch through the reload command. Due to it not being able to access the startup-config. The switch works perfectly running IOS 15.0(1)SE3 and below.
It gives the below errors while running IOS 15.0(2) and newer:
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Switch>ena
Switch#wr mem
startup-config file open failed (No such device)
Switch#
Mar 30 01:31:51.514: %SCHED-7-WATCH: Attempt to lock uninitialized watched semaphore (address 0). -Process= "Exec", ipl= 0, pid= 3
-Traceback= 37D834z 12F94B8z 38645Cz 38670Cz 3325F4z 2D049Cz 2D66BCz 2E5D00z 1C2CCE8z 1C27298z
Switch#reload
Proceed with reload? [confirm]
The startup configuration is currently being updated. Try again.
Switch#
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Anyways here is the show version from the switch when it is trying to run the 15.0(2)SE6 IOS. As you can see the Show License is not an available command in the cut IOS.
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Switch#show ver
Cisco IOS Software, C2960S Software (C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.0(2)SE6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2014 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 09-Apr-14 03:09 by prod_rel_team
ROM: Bootstrap program is C2960S board boot loader
BOOTLDR: C2960S Boot Loader (C2960S-HBOOT-M) Version 12.2(55r)SE, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Switch uptime is 8 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System restarted at
System image file is "flash:c2960s-universalk9-mz.150-2.se6.bin"
cisco WS-C2960S-48LPS-L (PowerPC) processor (revision D0) with 131072K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID
Last reset from power-on
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.
512K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address       : 3C:0E:23:4A:EF:00
Motherboard assembly number     : 73-12423-06
Power supply part number        : 341-0328-02
Motherboard serial number       :
Power supply serial number      :
Model revision number           : D0
Motherboard revision number     : A0
Model number                    : WS-C2960S-48LPS-L
Daughterboard assembly number   : 73-11933-04
Daughterboard serial number     :
System serial number            :
Top Assembly Part Number        : 800-32448-02
Top Assembly Revision Number    : C0
Version ID                      : V04
CLEI Code Number                : COMCU00ARD
Daughterboard revision number   : A0
Hardware Board Revision Number  : 0x01
Configuration register is 0xF
Switch#show license
              ^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.
Switch#show run
Unable to get configuration. Try again later.
Locked by -1
Unable to get configuration. Try again later.
Locked by -1
Switch#
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is the version and license output when the switch is functioning properly with the 15.0(1)SE3 Loaded:
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Switch#show ver
Cisco IOS Software, C2960S Software (C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.0(1)SE3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2012 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 30-May-12 14:35 by prod_rel_team
ROM: Bootstrap program is Alpha board boot loader
BOOTLDR: C2960S Boot Loader (C2960S-HBOOT-M) Version 12.2(55r)SE, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Switch uptime is 13 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:c2960s-universalk9-mz.150-1.se3.bin"
This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.
A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html
If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
[email protected].
cisco WS-C2960S-48LPS-L (PowerPC) processor (revision D0) with 131072K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID
Last reset from power-on
1 Virtual Ethernet interface
1 FastEthernet interface
52 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.
512K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address       : 3C:0E:23:4A:EF:00
Motherboard assembly number     : 73-12423-06
Power supply part number        : 341-0328-02
Motherboard serial number       :
Power supply serial number      :
Model revision number           : D0
Motherboard revision number     : A0
Model number                    : WS-C2960S-48LPS-L
Daughterboard assembly number   : 73-11933-04
Daughterboard serial number     :
System serial number            :
Top Assembly Part Number        : 800-32448-02
Top Assembly Revision Number    : C0
Version ID                      : V04
CLEI Code Number                : COMCU00ARD
Daughterboard revision number   : A0
Hardware Board Revision Number  : 0x01
Switch Ports Model              SW Version            SW Image
*    1 52    WS-C2960S-48LPS-L  15.0(1)SE3            C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M
Configuration register is 0xF
Switch#show lic
Index 1 Feature: lanlite
        Period left: 0  minute  0  second
Index 2 Feature: lanbase
        Period left: Life time
        License Type: Permanent
        License State: Active, In Use
        License Priority: Medium
        License Count: Non-Counted
Switch#