VOXL2 bricking itself randomly

[Chad Sweet]

VOXL 2, like all embedded systems, get bricked when power is removed while flash is still open in the write state. It's likely configuring the docker setup is performing a lot of writes to the flash. poweroff should help, calling sync should help as well. As long as you make sure flash has flushed before pulling the plug, you should be fine

You can see a writeup on the topic here, as it is common in all of this type of single board computers

[rohitpillai]

I am unplugging the drone and VOXL2 boards after I exit/close the docker container and after the configuration process is complete. I then tried both typing in poweroff and unplugging the power. After both times, VOXL2 does not boot up properly.

How does one check if flash has flushed?

Thanks!

[rohitpillai]

After reflashing the VOXL2 once again, I ran voxl-configure-docker-support, but I did not load any docker images. I setup docker daemon and docker-autorun. Then I followed your advice on using sync and poweroff. I entered sync waited a minute or two and then ran poweroff. Then I unplugged the VOXL2. I tried powering it on again and no adb devices are shown and I cannot adb shell in. It has bricked itself once again.

Any other suggestions?

[rohitpillai]

Any update on this?

[Chad Sweet]

No, we will have to look at this in more detail internally. No ETA at this point.

[rohitpillai]

Okay sounds good! Will be waiting for any suggestions!

[modaltb]

@rohitpillai Thanks for bringing this issue up.

The voxl-configure-docker-support script is mainly for the VOXL1 platform and I believe is causing issues on 865 really required at this time for the VOXL2. Because the VOXL1 platform has a somewhat more custom built OS, it needed some tweaks....

On VOXL2, we have Ubuntu 18 natively, and you can just install using apt: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/

We will address this in the next release, but in general for right now, you should be able to just install Docker following instructions above.

To manually start docker images on bootup, you can refer to the older package as reference and this: https://docs.modalai.com/docker-on-voxl/#configuring-a-program-to-run-automatically-inside-a-docker-on-boot

[rohitpillai]

Thanks! This has solved the problem.

[Nishkala]

@rohitpillai
How did you unbrick voxl2?

[rohitpillai]

@Nishkala I used this link - https://docs.modalai.com/voxl2-system-image/#force-voxl-2-into-fastboot

You will need the latest platform release which can be found here - https://developer.modalai.com/asset/2