Which .stp file should be used for SignalTap in Quartus 13.0?

Hi,

I assume you have activated the signal tap instance either in Assignment settings or by invoking via tools => signalTapII logic analyzer?

By starting the singaltap logic analyzer (opening the analyzer window) and defining the signals, you are requested to recompile which will also automatically either activate (or ask if it should activate) the signaltap instance. Before you can use the signaltap, you have to programm the device with an *.sof containing the instance - otherwise you'll get the "instance not found" error. This error will also occurr, if you change signals in signaltap and do not recompile / reprogram as the "PC" signaltap and "device" signaltap configurations must match.

I assume there is a difference giving the "aaa.stp" => "instance not found" condition ...