Error: Error code: 8 for command: nios2-flash-programmer while flashing "*.elf" file.

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hi friends,

I am a Novice in NIOS II CPU,

I am using the existing demo project and trying to flash "*.elf" file to Cyclone V device. In the process flash programmer is repeatedly reporting the error code 8, I have no idea how to resolve the issue , please guide me to overcome the issue.

Below is the text reported by the flash programmer :

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Info: Jul 18, 2016 5:04:53 PM - (INFO) elf2flash: args = --input=C:/Project/On_Going_Chapters/ETHERCAT/DEVBOARD/NEW_NIOS/DBC5_ECAT/DBC5CEFA7_EtherCAT/software/NIOS_V3/NIOS_V3.elf --output=C:/Project/On_Going_Chapters/ETHERCAT/DEVBOARD/NEW_NIOS/DBC5_ECAT/DBC5CEFA7_EtherCAT/software/NIOS_V2_bsp/flash/NIOS_V3_db_epcq_0_data.flash --base=0x2000000 --end=0x4000000 --reset=0x2800000 --verbose

Info: Jul 18, 2016 5:04:54 PM - (FINE) elf2flash: Starting

Info: Jul 18, 2016 5:04:54 PM - (FINE) elf2flash: Done

Info: Using cable "USB-Blaster [USB-0]", device 1, instance 0x00

Info: Resetting and pausing target processor: OK

Info: Reading System ID at address 0x04004520: verified

Info: No CFI table found at address 0x02000000

Info: Original contents (after writing 0xF0 and 0xFF00FF to address 0x02000000):

Info: 0: F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 10: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 20: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 30: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 40: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: Contents after writing 0x980098 to address 0x020000AA:

Info: Same after writing 0x980098 to address 0x02000154:

Info: Same after writing 0x00980098 to address 0x020002A8:

Info: Same after writing 0x980098 to address 0x02000055:

Info: Same after writing 0x980098 to address 0x020000AA:

Info: Same after writing 0x00980098 to address 0x02000154:

Info: Same after writing 0x980098 to address 0x02000154:

Info: Same after writing 0x980098 to address 0x020002A8:

Info: Same after writing 0x00980098 to address 0x02000550:

Info: 0: F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 10: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 20: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 30: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: 40: FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ................

Info: Leaving target processor paused

Error: Error code: 8 for command: nios2-flash-programmer "C:/Project/On_Going_Chapters/ETHERCAT/DEVBOARD/NEW_NIOS/DBC5_ECAT/DBC5CEFA7_EtherCAT/software/NIOS_V2_bsp/flash/NIOS_V3_db_epcq_0_data.flash" --base=0x2000000 --sidp=0x4004520 --id=0xDBC5CE --timestamp=1468776040 --device=1 --instance=0 '--cable=USB-Blaster on localhost [USB-0]' --program --verbose

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And please provide me link, where I can get all the error list reported in NIOS II IDE.

thanks in advance for your valuable time.

Regards

NRM

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Hi friends,

I am waiting for your help in resolving the issue I mentioned above. to provide more details I am replying to the above thread,

I am working on board designed around Cyclone V with epcq256 flash, Quartus version : 14.1 , NIOS II Gen2 CPU.

I am able to generate the *.sof file successfully (please refer the components in Qsys.png), and also the *.elf file, as I understand there are two ways to configure the EPCQ device,

Method 1. Convert *.elf file to *.hex file and using quartus native convert program tool, merge both *sof + *.hex to generate the *.jic file , use *.jic file to directly flash the epcq256 flash.

Method 2. Fuse *.sof file on to fpga using quartus native programmer, and after generating the *.elf using NIOS II Eclipse native flash programmer to flash epcq256 flash.

Due to license limitation of the IP core I am using in the design, I cant generate *.jic so I am following "Method 2". During flashing I am constantly facing the "No CFI table found at address 0x02000000" error followed by "error code 8" in flash programmer.

I thoroughly referred "an736.pdf" Application note so as to avoid any error at my side.

Despite of all efforts I am unable to fix this issue, at some point of time I was doubting if epcq256 flash on board has gone bad. Just to check it I generated one more *.jic using only *.sof (without limited license IP) and flashed epcq256, which is successfully programming and erasing indicating epcq256 is alive and functioning.

Now my suspects are

1. Reset and Exception vector (Ref. reset_exception.png)

Details :

Reset Vector -->

Reset Vector Memory : epcq controller

Reset Vector Offset : 0x00000000

Reset Vector : 0x04000000

Exception Vector -->

Exception Vector Memory : onchip memory

Exception Vector Offset : 0x00000020

Exception Vector : 0x06200020

2. Flash controller ip (please refer the components in Qsys.png) i am using.

Details :

using "altera's serial flash controller"

3. Flash programmer itself.

I am not sure where I am going wrong. Please also inform me if I am missing any obvious steps.

Please help me out.

Thanks in advance for your valuable time.

Regards

Neel.