Unable to get serial console or boot linux on MCIMX8Q!XP-CPU (Si B0) - only garbage on UART

[drupadh]

Hello,

I am facing issues bringing up the MCIMX8QXP-CPU (Silicon Revision B0) board.

Hardware:

• MCIMX8QXP-CPU (Si B0)
• MCIMX8-8X-BB baseboard
• IMX-LVDS-HDMI adapter connected to J1
• Original 16 GB SD card that came with the kit
• Also tried a newly flashed 32 GB SD card with official Linux BSP (L6.18.20 / MX8QXPC0 image)

Problem:

1. Serial console (J11) always shows only garbage characters (□□□□) at 115200 8N1.
   • Tried multiple COM ports
   • Tried different terminal software (PuTTY, Docklight)
   • Tried on two different Windows laptops
   • Installed latest FTDI VCP drivers
   • Same result with original kit SD card and newly flashed card
2. UUU never detects the board in Serial Download Mode (SW2 = 1000). uuu -lsusb shows no device. Board does not appear in Device Manager when in download mode.
3. HDMI – no display output so far (using IMX-LVDS-HDMI on J1).

Boot switches tried:

• SD boot: SW2 = ON ON OFF OFF
• Serial Download: SW2 = ON OFF OFF OFF
• eMMC: SW2 = OFF ON OFF OFF

What I have already done:

• Flashed official .Sdcard image using Balena Etcher and Rufus
• Verified SD card is properly inserted in J12
• Used original power supply
• Checked multiple USB cables for the debug port

Could someone please advise:

• Is there any known issue with Si B0 boards regarding the debug UART?
• Any additional steps to get clean console output?
• Recommended way to recover / verify the board is healthy?

    

[Chavira]

Hi @drupadh,
Thank you for contacting NXP Support!

The error you are experiencing occurs because the image was built for the C0 silicon revision.

Unfortunately, we do not provide a precompiled 6.18.20 kernel image for the B0 silicon revision. However, you can build it yourself using Yocto.

For the build, please use the following machine configuration "imx8qxpmek"

Please let me know if you need any assistance with the build process.

Best regards,
Alejandro Garcia