Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS after using a power supply

[bjlli]

Colibri i.MX6ULL Reference-Minimal-Image-upstream yocto kirkstone

Hi!

I’m working with a Colibri i.MX6ULL 1GB eMMC and was using a reference minimal image flashed on a SD Card to boot it. I usually power the board via the micro USB connector, however I wanted to test a 5V power supply that I bought.

I removed the jumper (JP1) as recommended and everything went well. I used the micro USB to access the terminal in parallel with the voltage supply.

However, after this I decided to go back and power the board via USB again. So I jumped the JP1 again and for my surprise I got a kernel panic:

Kernel panic - not syncing:VFS:Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(179,1)

The boot through the eMMC and using other SD Card was ok. I’m wondering if somehow the power supply has something to do with that. Have you ever saw anything similar? Is it possible that changing the power way somehow corrupted my sd card rootfs?

[ToradexAI]

Hi, I’m the Toradex AI Assistant. The Toradex Support team will follow up with you shortly!

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Based on the context provided, the kernel panic you are experiencing is likely related to the power supply change and its impact on the SD card’s filesystem. Here are some possible causes and recommendations:

Possible Causes:

1. Filesystem Corruption: Switching power sources while the system is running can lead to filesystem corruption, especially if the SD card was being accessed at the time. This is a common issue when power is interrupted unexpectedly.
2. Improper Shutdown: If the board was not properly powered down before switching back to USB power, it could have caused issues with the SD card’s filesystem integrity.
3. Power Supply Issues: An unstable power supply can lead to voltage fluctuations that may corrupt the filesystem on the SD card. If the power supply was not stable during the transition, it could have affected the SD card’s integrity.
4. Jumper Configuration: Ensuring that the jumper (JP1) is correctly configured when switching power sources is crucial. If the jumper was not properly set, it could lead to hardware conflicts or power issues.

Recommendations:

• Check SD Card Integrity: Use filesystem check tools to verify the integrity of the SD card. If corruption is found, re-flashing the image may be necessary to restore functionality.
• Follow Proper Shutdown Procedures: Always ensure that the system is powered down completely before switching power sources to avoid potential corruption of the filesystem.
• Use Stable Power Supplies: Ensure that the power supply used is stable and meets the specifications required by the Colibri i.MX6ULL to prevent similar issues in the future.

In conclusion, it is possible that changing the power supply method has led to corruption of the SD card’s root filesystem. Following the recommendations above should help in resolving the issue and preventing it in the future.

Please, also check if these links can help you solve your problem:

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[bjlli]

The power source wasn’t switched while the system was running, neither I did an improper shutdown. I’ve waited to change the sources.

The JP1 was correct as well.

[lucas_az.tx]

Hi @bjlli!

I’ve never seen this behavior before.

Could you check if you can mount and read the SD Card using your computer?

If so, the issue could be caused by some corrupted data in the SD Card. In this case, I recommend reflashing the SD Card and testing it to see if it returns to normal behavior.
If you can’t read it on your computer, maybe the HW is defective, since it worked with another one.

Best regards.
Lucas Azeituno