Error running project: Exec format error

[Tim at Facture]

Hello,

I am new to nRF micro-controllers and using Netbeans. I have cloned the repo of a project I would like to run, which builds successfully, and am getting the following error:

cannot execute binary file: Exec format error

I am running Netbeans 8.2 on Windows 10. I am using ARM GNU Embedded Toolchain 6-2017-q2 (I'm aware this is not the most recent update) and I am using Cygwin for Make.

I am including screen shots of the error I am receiving and the configuration of my Tools Options.

Thanks

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

It seems like netbeans is trying to actually run your .elf file locally, as you would any .exe file compiled on a x86 system. I believe netbeans do not have native support for ARM, so you'll have to install a 3rd party gdb-server plugin: http://plugins.netbeans.org/plugin/37426/gdbserver (wiki here: http://wiki.netbeans.org/GdbServer)

Try populating the "Debugger Command" with /path/to/arm-none-eabi-gdb. Prior to this, you'll need to manually start the J-Link GDBServer and then populate the netbeans Gdbserver plugin with Target: "remote localhost:2331".

 

I haven't used netbeans for quite some time, so I cannot guarantee that the above will allow you to successfully debug. If you're still stuck, I can recommend checking out Segger Embedded Studio, which is free to use with nRF5-series devices (registration required).

 

Best regards,

Håkon

[Tim at Facture]

Thank you Håkon for your prompt reply

I have downloaded the plugin and activated it in the Netbeans plugin tool. I have also added /path/arm-none-eabi-gdb as the Debugger Command.

I was told to install Segger's debugging environment Ozone which should have included Segger's software tools. Do you know if this gives me what I need to start a J-Link GDBServer?

Tim

[Håkon Alseth]

I am not 100 % sure if the segger drivers and other tools are bundled with Ozone. It should be present in your start-meny (or c:\program files (x86)\SEGGER\<version>\JLinkGDBServer.exe), and if not; you can always download the latest drivers here:

https://www.segger.com/downloads/jlink/JLink_Windows.exe

 

Best regards,

Håkon