Linux fails when running from flash during boot

[Altera_Forum]

Hello, 

 I have having trouble getting my Linux image to boot completely without a kernel panic.  I have been running my Linux image from RAM and it has been stable for a long time.   I am flashing the SOF file and my linux image using the nios2-flash-programmer-gui. The flashing of the SOF file works fine. When the board comes out of reset, it is clear that the FPGA is configured properly because my HW is functioning.   I am using the nios2-flash-programmer-gui on Windows to convert my 'linux.initramfs.gz' image.   This image works fine when run from RAM, however, I am seeing a couple different errors that result in kernel panic:  - "no cpio magic" (this image) - "junk in compressed archive" (a couple other images)  It seems like different images fail at different points, possibly based on size. I am curious if there is a conflict in the flash space. The image I am running is 3.6MB.  If someone can help me, I would really appreciate it. Relevant logs are below.  Thanks, Dave ...  Screen capture of the console log when running from RAM (successful):  http://davehenning.com/pages/nios_flash_caps/from_ram.jpg [part1] http://davehenning.com/pages/nios_flash_caps/from_ram2.jpg [part2]  Screen capture of the console log when this same image fails from flash:  http://davehenning.com/pages/nios_flash_caps/from_flash.jpg  Screen capture of nios2-flash-programmer-gui setup:  http://davehenning.com/pages/nios_flash_caps/gui_setup.jpg  Screen capture of a different (slightly smaller) Linux image failing during boot from flash:  http://davehenning.com/pages/nios_flash_caps/from_flash_old.jpg

[Altera_Forum]

Which board are you using? Kinda have to know that to know anything about flash map stuff, right? :-) 

 Cheers,  -slacker

[Altera_Forum]

I am using a custom board, but it is based very closely on the Cyclone III Dev Kit (EP3c120). 

 We are storing the SOF and ELF info in 64 MB CFI Flash.  One thing I have found is that when I run the code immediately after flashing it works fine (by setting the flag in the GUI). However, when I power cycle the board it always fails part way through loading Linux.

[Altera_Forum]

I think I found out my problem after scouring the nios-dev list. Because I am using the MMU, I need to specify virtual addresses when I run elf2flash. Specifically, I have to OR 0xC0000000 with addresses I use for the base/end addresses. I am not able to get to my hardware just yet, but this post gives me hope as this guy has the same behavior I do (kernel panic on cold boot, okay from RAM). 

 http://sopc.et.ntust.edu.tw/pipermail/nios2-dev/2010-march/003396.html  I think the information I needed is in the "Addressing for Devices" section here:  http://www.nioswiki.com/dasuboot  Do others agree?  Dave ...