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Altera_Forum
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19 years ago

CF Initialization

During the kernel boot, I get the following message pertaining to my compact flash card:

Unable to to initialize compact flash - please re-insert.

However, when I re-insert it and mount it - everything is ok and works great. Any ideas why it has problems during boot. I would like to mount it in the rc script if I can get past this error.

Thanks,

rppolicy

4 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    originally posted by rppolicy@Nov 3 2006, 01:30 AM

    during the kernel boot, i get the following message pertaining to my compact flash card:

    unable to to initialize compact flash - please re-insert.

    however, when i re-insert it and mount it - everything is ok and works great. any ideas why it has problems during boot. i would like to mount it in the rc script if i can get past this error.

    thanks,

    rppolicy

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    --- quote end ---

    --- Quote End ---

    It may be problem of power-on reset delay. I can&#39;t remember the details, please search the forum.

    Try "dmesg" to get the kernel message.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    Is there a way I can have the nios board try to reconnect the flash card without re-inserting it? Some sort of eject? A console command?

    Thanks,

    rppolicy
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    originally posted by rppolicy@Nov 3 2006, 08:13 AM

    is there a way i can have the nios board try to reconnect the flash card without re-inserting it? some sort of eject? a console command?

    thanks,

    rppolicy

    <div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=19141)

    --- quote end ---

    --- Quote End ---

    Maybe was this : found in Altera "Nios II Embedded Design Suite 6.0 Errata Sheet" :

    development boards

    this section lists any issues related to altera development boards.

    intermittent failures while accessing compactflash card

    the nios ii development kit version 5.0 and higher includes a compactflash controller peripheral suitable for

    interfacing to compactflash cards in true ide mode on nios development boards. in order for true ide mode to

    operate, compactflash cards require that the atasel_n input be driven to ground during power-up.

    the compactflash controller peripheral includes a configurable power register used to power-cycle compactflash

    cards in nios ii software through a mosfet on the nios development boards. however, in certain development

    boards, power to the compactflash card will not turn off completely during this power cycle operation. because

    of this, the compactflash might not sample the atasel_n pin during the power-cycle operation after fpga

    toolchain (gcc, gdb, etc.)

    altera corporation 11

    may 2006 nios ii embedded design suite 6.0 errata sheet

    configuration when this pin is driven to ground. instead, the compactflash card might sample the atasel_n pin

    when power is first applied to the development board, when i/o are not yet driven by the fpga (before fpga

    configuration).

    workaround: if you encounter errors with compactflash when using the nios development boards, try one of

    the following:

    &#9632; use a different compactflash card. certain cards are more susceptible to the power-cycling issue than others.

    &#9632; modify the nios development board. this is recommended for users who are familiar and comfortable with

    board-level modifications. disconnect pin 9 (atasel_n) on the compactflash socket on your nios

    development board and tie this pin to ground. note that the compactflash socket uses a staggered numbering

    on the pins (starting from pin 1: 1, 26, 2, 27, ...); refer to the compactflash association specification for

    right-angle surface-mount connectors for exact specifications on this connector. this modification will

    permanently enable true-ide mode operation.