STM32H745I-DISCO – External flash erase/init failure with TouchGFX project

[Tharun123]

Hi Community,

I am using STM32H745I-DISCO board and generated a TouchGFX project and attempted to flash/debug from CubeIDE. The flashing process fails during the erase stage.

Observed Errors

• Initially: “Error: failed to erase memory”
• After enabling external loader (without initialization):
  • Erase still fails
• After enabling external loader with Initialize = true:
  • “Failed to initialize external memory”
  • “Error in initializing ST-LINK device”
• In CubeProgrammer:
  • External flash is detected when selecting loader MT25TL01_STM32H745I-DISCO
  • However:
    • Mass erase fails
    • Sector erase also fails
    • Error message:
      • “Sector erase operation has failed… please verify flash protection” 

I am using STM32CubeIDE v1.18.1 and STM32CubeProgrammer: v2.16.x

I have attached screenshots.

Can someone help what could be the issue?

Thanks.

[mƎALLEm]

Hello,

---

@Tharun123 wrote:

• In CubeProgrammer:
  • External flash is detected when selecting loader MT25TL01_STM32H745I-DISCO
  • However:
    • Mass erase fails
    • Sector erase also fails
    • Error message:
      • “Sector erase operation has failed… please verify flash protection” 

---

Based on this statement I have the impression there is a problem with the external memory.

Try to run the QSPI example provided in CubeH7: https://github.com/STMicroelectronics/STM32CubeH7/tree/master/Projects/STM32H745I-DISCO/Examples/QSPI/QSPI_MemoryMappedDual

If it doesn't work there is an issue with the external memory, either the memory is broken or there is something gone wrong on the board/PCB!

[Tharun123]

Hi mƎALLEm,

I tried the QSPI_MemoryMappedDual example from CubeH7 on the STM32H745I-DISCO board.

Results:

• The example flashed successfully

• It ran successfully without any errors

• QSPI erase/write/read operations are working correctly

I also tested another example:

• LTDC_Layer1

• The image is displayed correctly on the LCD

So it looks like:

• QSPI hardware is working

• External flash is working

• LCD/LTDC is also working

However, when I generate a simple TouchGFX project (small image only):

• If I flash without enabling external loader:

  • Flashing succeeds

  • Code runs

  • But nothing appears on the display

• If I enable and initialize the external loader:

  • I get:

    • “Failed to initialize external memory”

    • “Error in initializing ST-LINK device”

At this point I am confused about the correct workflow for TouchGFX on STM32H745I-DISCO.

Could you please clarify:

1. What is the exact process to generate and flash a TouchGFX project on STM32H745I-DISCO?

2. Is external QSPI flash mandatory even for a very small image/UI?

3. Which external loader should be selected for this board?

4. Are there any specific TouchGFX memory configuration settings required for this board?

Thanks.

[mƎALLEm · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I don't have your project so I couldn't tell what problem you have.

I've attached a TouchGFX project running on STM32H745I-DISCO board.

You can use the TouchGFX Designer tool to directly generate code, compile, simulate and upload the application.

As shown in the below screenshot:

1- You need to generate the code by clicking  

2- (Optional step) to compile and simulate the graphics on PC: 

3- To Compile and upload your TouchGFX application to the target (The DISCO board in your case): 

With the attached project, please test it by following step 1 and step 3. You should see this screen in the LCD: