Forum Discussion
Honored ContributorQuartus 9.1 SP2 WARNING!!!!!
I've opened up an SR for this, but in the meantime, don't install SP2 if you need to use the flash programmer to program an EPCS with or without NIOS. This was specifically on a cyclone II, but it probably applies to all devices. Once programmed by the flash programmer(SP2) the cyclone II won't boot on power up anymore.
Programming the sof through JTAG will work and NIOS will self boot. Programming a JIC file will also work, but of course NIOS isn't there to boot. I completely uninstalled Quartus and NIOS and reinstalled everything back to SP1 and it all works again just as it should. Users be warned! Dan29 Replies
Altera_ForumThanks for sharing. I'm still on 9.0 due to all the 9.1 regressions.
- Altera_Forum
I believe this is a problem with generating compressed bitstreams in the assembler stage. Two workarounds:
In Quartus GUI, go to Assignments>Device>Device and Pin Options and deselect the option "Generate compressed bitstreams". (This is for Linux web version; Windows version may have this option in a different menu.) Or throw away the .pof file and use the command line to convert the .sof into one that works: quartus_cpf -c -d EPCS16 project.sof project.pof Both of these worked for me (I have a DE2-70 board and had the same problem with active serial programming on Quartus 9.1SP2). - Altera_Forum
To be fair, 9.1 is faster compiling and seems to give more consistant results. Just stick with SP1. 9.1 no SP is broken, and SP2 is broken. 9.1 seemed to be pretty good.......
- Altera_Forum--- Quote Start --- In Quartus GUI, go to Assignments>Device>Device and Pin Options and deselect the option "Generate compressed bitstreams". (This is for Linux web version; Windows version may have this option in a different menu.) Or throw away the .pof file and use the command line to convert the .sof into one that works: quartus_cpf -c -d EPCS16 project.sof project.pof Both of these worked for me (I have a DE2-70 board and had the same problem with active serial programming on Quartus 9.1SP2). --- Quote End --- Neither compressed or uncompressed worked. I can program the EPCS if I use a JIC file. The trouble is that I need to also program the NIOS elf file. The JIC overwrites the elf and using the flash programmer to put them both, the sof file won't boot. If I could use a pof or a JIC with the elf, then I would be set. The other thing is this is not a generation problem. I had generated the same file with two sets of files, one under SP1, the other under SP2. Neither would work when I used the flash programmer under SP2. Both worked when I went back to SP1. The problem is not the generation, but is probably in the bootloader that is placed in the EPCS device at the beginning.
- Altera_Forum
The only question now is how long will it take ALtera to provide a fix. They usually take about 2 weeks to understand the problem and to stop asking silly questions, then 2 more weeks to think about it and then 1-2 more weeks to either hope it just goes away or if your lucky, maybe they will come up with a fix.......
- Altera_Forum
Here we go again!
With 9.1 SP2 the EPCS flash memory won't indeed boot after programmed from NIOS 9.1 IDE. This was fixed in 9.1 SP1 (and 9.1 with patch 0.63) but it looks like Altera has messed things up again and broken 9.1 SP2 ... So I also recommend to remain in 9.1 SP1 ... Jari - Altera_Forum
Yep! So you went through the same 9.1 problem as I did for a few months there.
They are claiming it is a SOF2FLASH problem now. No mention of when a patch will be available..... I guess we just wait for 10.0 to see what new bugs and bug fixes they have in store for us there! Oh the excitement! Dan - Altera_Forum
This is why it is usually better to only upgrade if there is a feature you absolutely need in the new version... And this includes service packs.
If it ain't broken, don't fix it, 'cause you'll break it, and you still can't fix it :D - Altera_Forum
I have similar problems. I want to switch to 9.1 (from 7.2) because I need support of EPCS128. I found out that (one of) the reason for malfunction is the sof2flash command. If I generate the flash-files with sof2flash from 7.2. then the Nios will boot correct. I can use the flash utility from 9.1 SP1 (nios2-flash-programmer).
My workaround is: use Altera 7.2 (or other except 9.1.) for sof2flash --epcs --input=project.sof --output=project.flash elf2flash --epcs --after=project.flash --input=firmware.elf --output=firmware.flash use Altera 9.1 for nios2-flash-programmer --cable='USB-Blaster [USB-0]' --epcs --base=0x3200000 project.flash nios2-flash-programmer --cable='USB-Blaster [USB-0]' --epcs --base=0x3200000 firmware.flash Jens - Altera_Forum
Hi everybody,
where is possible to download version 9.1 SP1 or version 9.0? It seems that on the Altera website version 9.1 SP2 is the only option. Marco
