Nordic Thingy91 Error updating Modem Firmware

[MikeyP]

I have setup my new Thingy91 and got it connected to nrf Cloud.  I can see environmental sensor data in the terminal window but it is asking me to update the modem firmware to see services etc.

When I try and use nRF connect Programmer to update the modem firmware via USB it fails each time with the error message 

"MCUboot DFU failed. Please make sure that the device is in MCUboot mode and try again."

I am powering up the device with SW3 pressed and I have the option ticked for MCUBoot.

Can you suggest what I should try next as I am not sure which application/firmware is working or not working and how to get the system updated to the latest firmware.

Regards

Mike

2020-07-24T10:09:12.068Z INFO Application data folder: /Users/michaelpyott/Library/Application Support/nrfconnect/pc-nrfconnect-programmer
2020-07-24T10:09:12.177Z DEBUG App pc-nrfconnect-programmer v1.4.3 official
2020-07-24T10:09:12.177Z DEBUG App path: /Users/michaelpyott/.nrfconnect-apps/node_modules/pc-nrfconnect-programmer
2020-07-24T10:09:12.177Z DEBUG nRFConnect 3.4.1 is supported by the app (^3.3.0)
2020-07-24T10:09:12.177Z DEBUG nRFConnect path: /Applications/nRF Connect.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar
2020-07-24T10:09:12.178Z DEBUG HomeDir: /Users/michaelpyott
2020-07-24T10:09:12.178Z DEBUG TmpDir: /var/folders/s3/x3kpzx597cddq3565v7c24kw0000gn/T/
2020-07-24T10:09:12.211Z INFO Using nrfjprog library 10.9.0, pc-nrfjprog-js 1.7.3
2020-07-24T10:09:12.213Z VERBOSE Could not fetch serial number for serial port at /dev/tty.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port
2020-07-24T10:09:12.213Z ERROR Error while probing devices: Error occured when get serial numbers. Errorcode: CouldNotCallFunction (0x9)
Lowlevel error: INVALID_OPERATION (fffffffe)

2020-07-24T10:10:53.563Z INFO Modem DFU starts to write...
2020-07-24T10:10:53.563Z INFO Writing /Users/michaelpyott/Desktop/Thingy91/thingy91_fw_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b/mfwnrf9160120.zip to device
2020-07-24T10:10:54.020Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Please make sure that the device is in MCUboot mode and try again.

[Heidi]

Hi!

We are looking into this issue. It seems there are a few customers experiencing the same thing, and I was able to reproduce the issue at my desk.

Unfortunately, due to the holidays here in Norway we are very low on staff so delays are to be expected.

Best regards,

Heidi

[MikeyP]

Hi Heidi

Thank you for the update.  Its good that you have been able to re-produce the problem.  I look forward to getting an update soon.

I worked in beautiful Norway for 8 years so I know how July goes.

Regards

Mike

[MikeyP]

I decided to try the update on a Windows 10 machine and it worked ok so this looks like a Mac OSX issue still?

[MikeyP]

But now the.device won't respond to the LTE Link monitor or show up on nRF Cloud?

[MikeyP]

This is the error log I get when trying to re-program the application.  I have started the device with SW4 pushed in to enable MCU boot.

Fullscreen 2020-08-19T15_32_25.735Z-log.txt Download

2020-08-19T15:32:25.945Z INFO Application data folder: C:\Users\MichaelPyott\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\pc-nrfconnect-programmer
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG App pc-nrfconnect-programmer v1.4.4 official
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG App path: C:\Users\MichaelPyott\.nrfconnect-apps\node_modules\pc-nrfconnect-programmer
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG nRFConnect 3.4.2 is supported by the app (^3.3.0)
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG nRFConnect path: C:\Users\MichaelPyott\AppData\Local\Programs\nrfconnect\resources\app.asar
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG HomeDir: C:\Users\MichaelPyott
2020-08-19T15:32:26.017Z DEBUG TmpDir: C:\Users\MICHAE~1\AppData\Local\Temp
2020-08-19T15:32:26.038Z INFO Using nrfjprog library 10.9.0, pc-nrfjprog-js 1.7.3
2020-08-19T15:32:56.889Z INFO Parsing HEX file:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:32:56.901Z INFO File was last modified at  4/29/2020, 1:24:08 PM
2020-08-19T15:33:00.519Z INFO Does not need to be reloaded:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:33:02.020Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Error occured when program. Errorcode: CouldNotOpenDevice (0x4)
Lowlevel error: Unknown value (ffffff8e)

2020-08-19T15:33:35.660Z INFO Target device closed.
2020-08-19T15:38:31.694Z INFO Parsing HEX file:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:38:31.695Z INFO File was last modified at  4/29/2020, 1:24:08 PM
2020-08-19T15:38:36.514Z INFO Does not need to be reloaded:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:38:37.889Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Error occured when program. Errorcode: CouldNotOpenDevice (0x4)
Lowlevel error: Unknown value (ffffff8e)

2020-08-19T15:38:57.423Z INFO Parsing HEX file:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:38:57.423Z INFO File was last modified at  4/29/2020, 1:24:08 PM
2020-08-19T15:39:03.615Z INFO Does not need to be reloaded:  \\Mac\Home\Desktop\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:39:12.308Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Error occured when program. Errorcode: CouldNotOpenDevice (0x4)
Lowlevel error: Unknown value (ffffff8e)

2020-08-19T15:41:06.505Z INFO Parsing HEX file:  C:\Work\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:41:06.506Z INFO File was last modified at  4/29/2020, 1:24:08 PM
2020-08-19T15:41:12.421Z INFO Does not need to be reloaded:  C:\Work\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:41:13.523Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Error occured when program. Errorcode: CouldNotOpenDevice (0x4)
Lowlevel error: Unknown value (ffffff8e)

2020-08-19T15:41:22.118Z INFO Does not need to be reloaded:  C:\Work\Thingy91\images_dfu_hex\thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.hex
2020-08-19T15:41:23.524Z ERROR MCUboot DFU failed. Error occured when program. Errorcode: CouldNotOpenDevice (0x4)
Lowlevel error: Unknown value (ffffff8e)

[Heidi]

Hi, could you try uninstalling the JLink drivers as well, separately? The errors you're seeing look to be an issue with the JLink drivers. 

And have you previously upgraded the firmware on this specific Thingy:91 with an external debugger? 

MikeyP said:

I decided to try the update on a Windows 10 machine and it worked ok so this looks like a Mac OSX issue still?

 

Hi, the issue we've been having with DFU over USB with the Thingy:91 occurs in Windows with the Thingy:91 v.10.0. So I'm suspicious to your claim that it works with Windows. This isn't a Mac OSX issue, we've tried to reproduce the error on a few different mac's at Nordic, using Catalina 10.15 with no success. 

 

MikeyP said:

I have started the device with SW4 pushed in to enable MCU boot.

 I see from the log you're trying to flash "thingy91_ltem_dfu_2020_04_29", which is an application for the nRF9160. This means you have to push the SW3 button (the big button in the center). SW4 is for updating the application for the nRF52840. 

[MikeyP]

Hi Heidi, thank you for the updates.  I have managed to get the device working and connected to nRFCloud now after re-programming the asset tracking app to the nRF9160 device.

Just waiting for GPS data to appear now.

Thank you again for all your help and support.

Regards

Mike

[Heidi]

That's good to hear! I will close this case then.