FAQ

The SPiCboard

Have a look at SPiCboard v3.

I do not have a SPiCboard...

• A SPiCBoard is not necessary for the exercises. You can also use the SPiCboard Simulator (SPiCsim).

I want a SPiCboard!

• Nice! At the beginning of each summer term, we offer soldering nights. There you can solder your own SPiCboard. We provide all parts (including the microcontroller) for free, you do not have to buy them yourselfes.

I want to build a SPiCboard at home...

• This is possible, you can find all necessary details (parts and soldering instructions) at the soldering instructions
• You have to by all parts at your own (costs). The chair is not allowed to sell the parts.
• Exception: You can get the SPiCboard PCB (without any parts) from us. For this please write a mail to uns (via i4spic-orga@lists.cs.fau.de) to make an appointment to fetch the PCB from the chair.
  • Programming the SPiCboard works from home with the VM (With the virtual machine (VM)) after the installation of the extension pack. Sadly, we cannot offer any support in case of larger problems.
• For the first flashing, please use the script pub/boardtest/init.sh (for example via the SPiC-IDE), which also takes care of the Fuses. The first time connecting to the board can take some time (up to multiple minutes), especially if the host operating system has to install additional drivers.

Editor for the exercises

In SPiC, a custom IDE is used, for a more detailed explanation for starting and usage instructions please visit SPiC-IDE.

Warning

Other applications such as Atmel Studio are not supported by us because of numerous problems, therefore, we will not offer any help for installation or usage of any other tools.

I cannot use certain letters in the SPiC-IDE

• Depending on the used keyboard layout, entering various special letters may cause problems. Make sure to set the correct keyboard layout (in both VM or when accessing the IDE via Xpra).
• You can get an on-screen keyboard in the IDE by pressing the button and enter the corresponding characters.

My SPiC-IDE throws errors

• Working is not possible, when trying to compile, flash or start the SPiCsim the following message occurs:

  Uncaught Error: spawn ENOMEM
  internal/child_process.js:323
  	

  This means that not enough main memory is available. Either the editor has a problem, or your computer is executing a (different) resource-demanding operation.
• When trying to execute a shell script, the following appears:

  Uncaught Error: spawn EACCES
  internal/child_process.js:323
  

  The script is not allowed to be executed (see UNIX permissions), you have to set them in the terminal by entering chmod o+x file (if you are allowed to edit the file)
• During debugging, the following error occurs:

  Error received from GDB
  GDB said:
  -var-create: unable to create variable object
  

  This may be when you are debugging too fast: The commands cannot be transfered to the SPiCboard fast enough. Solution: do not click that fast, or rethink your breakpoints.
• For errors with the VM, please have a look at My SPiC-IDE (remote CIP) in the VM throws an error

My SPiC-IDE behaves in a weird way (universal solution)

• Terminate the IDE.
• Restart the IDE.

How do I start the SPiCboard Simulator "SPiCsim"

• Change in the SPiC-IDE to  SPiCsim and start with  Simulate.
• Start via the terminal /proj/i4spic/bin/spicsim
• Optionally, add the path to the compiled program (.elf-Datei) as parameter.
• Alternatively, you can execute the make target %.sim.
  
• The previous Java implementation can be started with the terminal by executing /proj/i4spic/bin/spicsim-legacy

Informatik CIP

I do not have a login for the Informatik CIP

• Register via account.cip.cs.fau.de.
• If a problem occurs, retry or ask the CIP-Admins. The consultation hours are linked on their website.

I forgot my password for the Informatik CIP

• You can change your password at account.cip.cs.fau.de.
• If your password does not work in the SPiC-VM (SPiC-IDE), make sure to use the correct keyboard layout in the VM, as described at My password does not work in the SPiC VM

How can I do the exercises from home?

Virtual Machine for the Exercises

Please make sure you followed the instructions to set up the VM.

Warning

If you somehow misconfigured your VM and are not able to recreate the original configuration, you can just delete and reinstall the VM. Please note that all local files in the VM are lost when doing so. This does not affect the files in the CIP.

My password does not work in the SPiC VM

• Are you registered in Waffel and in the Informatik CIP for at least 24 hours? This is necessary so that your directory is created.
• If your password is still not working, please make sure to have selected the correct keyboard layout (in the top right of the VM) :
  
• You should not need a password in the VM. In case you want to install additional programs, please use spic as password for the local user.

I have a Mac with an Apple M1 processor and VirtualBox throws an error

• VirtualBox does not support ARM (such as Apple M1).
• Please use another computer or use the access via Xpra.

My VirtualBox does not start and throws an error...

• Please make sure that you do use an up-to-date VirtualBox Version (>=6.1.x) (see Help / About VirtualBox...).
• Restart your PC after the installation of VirtualBox (and the Extension Pack).
• You also need virtualisation support (VT-x / AMD-V) installed, please see Requirements.
  • If these are activated but you still get errors, please make sure that no other hypervisor is running.
  • If problems with the graphic occur, please change the Graphic Controller in the SPiC-Editor VM in VirtualBox (as displayed, and restart the VM
    
    
  • If starting the VM is not possible because the USB 2.0 controller could not be found:
    
    • The extension pack is not installed correctly. Retry the installation and restart your computer.
    • If the installation continues to fail, you can deactivate the USB Controller: Change the mouse to PS/2-Maus
      
      and deactivate USB by removing the USB-Controller
      
      Save with OK and start the VM. These settings are enough to complete the exercises, however, you won't be able to program a hardware SPiCboard.
  • Another solution: Remote Access via Xpra

  The VM on my MAC is very slow

  • Maybe the high resolution of your display is causing problems.
  • To solve this problem, set VirtualBoxVM.app to lower resolution by navigating to VirtualBox.app/Contents/Resources/VirtualBoxVM.app (right click on VirtualBox.app) and set the checkmark at Open In Low Resolution:
    
    (see the discussion in the VirtualBox forum)

  My SPiC-IDE in the VM is too small

  • Usually, the SPiC-VM should resize with the VirtualBox window.
  • You also can manually set the guest window size by selecting the wanted resolution at Anzeige / Virtueller Monitor 1:
    

  My SPiC-IDE (remote CIP) in the VM throws an error

  • For connection problems (Connection to the CIP computers not possible) see My SPiC-IDE (remote CIP) cannot connect to the CIP computers
  • Make sure to use the newest version by clicking Update.
  • Only one SPiC-IDE shall run simultaneously (either SPiC-IDE (local) or SPiC-IDE (remote CIP), but not both at the same time)
  • When having problems with the login, please have a look at My password does not work in the SPiC VM
  • If a warning occurs during compilation regarding the modification time such as

    make: Warning: File 'foo.c' has modification time 0.42 s in the future
    make: warning:  Clock skew detected. Your build may be incomplete.

    your system clock might not run in sync with the clock in the CIP pool. Save all relevant data and restart the compilation procedure. This warning is not relevant for submission, there is no deduction for such a warning.

  My SPiC-IDE (remote CIP) cannot connect to the CIP computers

  • Make sure your host system has an active internet connection (for example by reloading the FAQ Webseite)
  • Try to start a web browser in the VM and try to open any web page.
  • If a restart of the host operating system does not help, reinstall an up-to-date version of VirtualBox (this also refreshes the VirtualBox network cards).

  My SPiC-IDE in der VM verhält sich komisch

  • Execute the script Remove SPiC-IDE User Directories under Applications / System (no other programs such as the IDE should be running):
    
    This script contains the procedure described in My SPiC-IDE behaves in a weird way (universal solution).
  • If nothing helps:
    • Save all files in the VM onto another location (e.g., CIP, host operating system)
    • Shutdown VM, and select in VirtualBox with a right click onto SPiC-Editor, Delete... the button Remove all files
    • Import SPiC-IDE VM into VirtualBox.

  My VM cannot start anymore with the error code "E_FAIL (0x80004005)"!

  • Reason: You did not shutoff your VM in the correct manner (see What is the best way to terminate the VM?), but saved the state of the VM. This saves the content of the main memory, which can get inconsistent sometimes.
  • To solve the problem, delete the main-memory screenshot by right-clicking onto SPiC-Editor and selecting Discard.... Confirm your selection in the next window.
    
  • Please shutdown the VM by pressing Shut Down the next time instead of saving the system state.

  My SPiCboard hardware cannot be programmed with the VM

  • May the USB transfer does not work – this may need the VirtualBox 6.1.6 Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack. If you deactivated USB in your VM, it has to be reactivated.
  • Make sure your USB cable is working, including the data line.
  • Depending on the guest operating system, the detection of the board can take up to 30 seconds, as it has to be detected by the host, passed through to the guest, and then recognized by the guest.
  • Do you have the correct access rights? On some Linux systems, the user has to be member of the group vboxusers: sudo usermod -a -G vboxusers $USER, then logout/login again.

  What is the best way to terminate the VM?

  • When closing the VM window, the user gets three options: save state, shutdown per ACPI event, or shutdown VM. As the first and the last option can lead to problems, the guest operating system shall be shutdown by an ACPI event.
  • This can also be done by shutting down the VM inside of the VM by selecting Shut Down in the top right corner:
    

  Access via Xpra

  • If you encounter any problems (or just do want to use the IDE with the environment given in the CIP), you can also access the CIP via Xpra. Please follow the instructiors there to access the IDE.
  • Save often. A short disconnection can lead to a loss of unsaved changes.

  Submitting the exercises

  Warning

  The exercises have to be submitted in time via the script in the CIP. Submissions via mail are not accepted!

  How can I submit?

  • Press the button in the SPiC-IDE (if using it in the VM, please double-check in the CIP whether the submission was successful)
  • Submission is also possible in the terminal
    • Command to execute in the CIP: /proj/i4spic/bin/submit aufgabeX (you have to replace X with the exercise number)
    • For a second submission, you can use the arrow keys (UP) to see the previously executed commands, so you do not have to retype it.
    • If you are in your VM, make sure that the files are copied to the CIP. Afterwards, connect to a CIP computer, e.g., by entering ssh LOGIN.nosp@m.@cip.nosp@m.2a5.c.nosp@m.ip.c.nosp@m.s.fau.nosp@m..de (LOGIN is your username in the CIP, and other servers than cip2a5 are possible – see Remote Login - via SSH). You can now enter the submit command into the SSH session.
  • If the file is not found (as shown in the example), please check...
    • the name of the source file (main.c instead of blink.c?)
    • the correct location (/proj/i4spic/$USER/)
    • the directory name (is it really aufgabe1, not Aufgabe1? Lower/upper case does make a difference, besides that, there shouldn't be spaces between aufgabe and the exercise number)

  I could not submit in time...

  • By default, we do not accept late submissions, and, as consequence, score these late submissions with 0 points. If you have valid reasons (e.g., stay at a hospital), please send an email to us.
  • If you got any problems with the submission system which cannot be solved by following this FAQ, please reach out in time such that we can support you before the deadline - this especially means not just 5 minutes before your deadline. Additionally, we do only work on workdays on regular hours. Example: If your submission is due on Sunday night, you should contact us before 11:59am on Friday. Otherwise, we won't be able to assist you!
  • Tip: You can submit as many times as you want to. For example, a first submission if the exercise is solved roughly, and a second time when all remaining errors are fixed. We only score the last submission before the deadline.

  I have problems with the submission...

  • For the submission script the correct path (/proj/i4spic/bin/abgabe) and the correct parameters (lower/upper case) are necessary.
  • Are the files in the correct folder? Schema /proj/i4spic/$USER/aufgabeX/filename.c (aufgabeX with lower-case "a" and without spaces!)
  • Is the C filename the same as given in the specification? (this means not main.c)