Byte Blaster II : Flash Loader IP Not Loaded

Altera_Forum · ‎05-12-2016

I recently got a new USB-Blaster II. I've been using it for .sof's with no problem.

Today, I try to load a .jic, and get the error:

Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Thu May 12 10:49:42 2016

Info (209016): Configuring device index 1

Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x028030DD

Info (209007): Configuration succeeded -- 1 device(s) configured

Error (209062): Flash Loader IP not loaded on device 1

Error (209012): Operation failed

Info (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Thu May 12 10:49:47 2016

I found my older grey USB-Blaster, and it programmed the .jic with no issues.

Has anyone seen this before? Is my USB-Blaster II broken? Or do I have to do something differently?

Thanks!

Altera_Forum · ‎05-12-2016

I found another thread here:

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48780

stating that the main difference between the two modules is that the USB-Blaster uses a fixed 6M frequency on the TCK, while the newer USB-Blaster II is configurable, but defaults to 24M.

It also noted that the frequency can be changed with this command (located in your Quartus bin directory):

jtagconfig --setparam USB-BlasterII JtagClock <#>

So, as an experiment, I changed the frequency back to 6M, and it now works with the newer USB-Blaster II! So I am happy now, and can get back to work.

Hopefully you find this helpful, and can avoid spending a morning chasing this down like I just did....

Altera_Forum · ‎05-12-2016

I saw once that some older USB blaster II units need a firmware upgrade to be able to work with some features of the flash loader. Sorry, but I don't remember any details, or even if jic files were the problem. Also, some clones won't work for anything except programming an FPGA with a sof file.