Brand new Thingy91 getting started not working

[LMTech]

Hello,

Just received the Thingy91, I started following this video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7hDzRULJQ, and a few things didn't go as expected. A few things to add, I am connect via micro-USB cable to a Mac. SW0 SELECT is nRF91. I plugged in the SIM Card. 

1) when updating the modem firmware. I click and hold SW1 and turn on the device to see MCU*** show up. Then by selecting the modem's mfwnrf9160120.zip in the programmer application and clicking write, I receive the following error 

17:50:33.887

Update files regions according to Application core

17:50:33.887

Parse memory regions for file

17:54:04.836

Checking ZIP file: /Users/../mfwnrf9160120.zip

17:54:05.015

File was last modified at 12/31/2022, 5:53:39 PM

17:54:10.333

Modem DFU starts to write...

17:54:10.333

Writing /Users/../mfwnrf9160120.zip to device AE33D***4

17:54:13.797

Target device closed

17:54:19.197

Modem DFU failed with error: async task failure for id: 1613552859 msg: Error when programming through MCUBoot: Unable to program MCUBoot image from buffer.. Error code: 600 (Unknown). (Origin: "Error when running fw program.")

17:54:19.199

async task failure for id: 1613552859 msg: Error when programming through MCUBoot: Unable to program MCUBoot image from buffer.. Error code: 600 (Unknown). (Origin: "Error when running fw program.")

2) iBASIS SIM CARD Activation fail. I follow the same instructions on the video above, but I do not see the next steps and when I refresh I see the following error message:

warningThis sim is not active. Activate

for the record, I am in California for location purposes.  

Not sure if those two are connected but hopefully someone can give me pointers as this is my first Nordic device. 

Best

[LMTech]

I miss-typed, SW1 should be SW4 that's the only way I am able to have the device discovered by the programmer.

when i follow https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/ug_thingy91_gsg.html#update-the-modem-firmware-on-the-nrf9160-sip

I Press SW3 while switching SW1 to the ON position. Nothing happens, the device doesn't even power on.

[Achim Kraus]

In my experience, the distributors are still selling older version. Which version does your Thingy:91 shows?

(the iBASIS SIM card shipped with v1.4.0 are in my experience not longer valid.)

[LMTech]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I purchased from Digikey. Version on the box shows the following and matches the board as well  

[Achim Kraus]

Great, that's a new one. Then my experience with the expired SIM cards doesn't apply.

[Achim Kraus]

I mainly use the Jlink to update the firmware, so I'm no too common with the nRF Connect for Desktop approach.

It's not recommended to downgrade the modem, so I'm not sure, if applying the mfwnrf9160120.zip is the right idea.

SW1 on holding SW4 (small button) applies a firmware update for the nRF52840 SoC. Maybe your device stick here. Try to apply the "img_app_bl/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge???.hex" and see, if your device comes back.

SW1 on holding SW3 (big central button) applies a firmware update for the nRF9160 SiP. Here you may apply the right modem firmware (e.g. mfw_nrf9160_1.3.3.zip) or the application (e.g. img_app_bl/thingy91_asset_tracker_v2_???.hex ).

So, crossing the fingers, that you didn't brick it and you're able the "revive" it. If not, you may consider to use a Jlink.

[LMTech]

Interesting, I tried what you recommended 

Achim Kraus said:

SW1 on holding SW4 (small button) applies a firmware update for the nRF52840 SoC. Maybe your device stick here. Try to apply the "img_app_bl/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge???.hex" and see, if your device comes back.

I saw MCUBOOT device on the programmer. Once I selected the image and Write I received the following error:

I'm starting to think I have a faulty device OR need to utilize a jlink programmer. 

[Achim Kraus]

> I tried what you recommended 

This was just a guess, that you device sticks somehow in updating the nRF52840 SoC.

I use Ubuntu 20.04 and I was also able to update the modem firmware and the application using SW1 and SW3 with nRF Connect for Desktop. But I mainly use a jlink for that.

[Achim Kraus]

I investigated a little more.

SW1 on while pressing SW4 (small button) starts the nRF52840 SoC. Applying the modem firmware fails and the device sticks into a invalid state.

I was wrong with "img_app_bl/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge???.hex", this is not "for" this is "with" bootloader. I get also the error you got.

Using "img_fota_dfu_hex/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge_2022-12-08_188a1603.hex" (that's for DFU/bootloader :-) ) and SW1 on while pressing SW4, works and revived my Thingy:91.

Hope that helps with your Thingy:91 as well.

Parsing HEX file: /???/thingy91_fw_2022_12_08_188a1603/img_fota_dfu_hex/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge_2022-12-08_188a1603.hex
File was last modified at 8.12.2022, 01:29:48
Update files regions according to Application core
Parse memory regions for file
Writing /???/thingy91_fw_2022_12_08_188a1603/img_fota_dfu_hex/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge_2022-12-08_188a1603.hex to device D0590D3B5C496433
MCUboot DFU completed successfully!
Target device closed

[LMTech]

Hi Achim, this worked! I was able to write the latest modem firmware!

[Achim Kraus]

Great!

Enjoy the further experience with the Thingy:91. Even if your start wasn't that smooth, the device is worth to spend time in it ;-).

[dejans]

Hi,

Thank you for letting us know that your issue has been resolved.

Best regards,
Dejan