A311D Pocket Reform: released 2026-01-28 flash image fails BL33 check and enters reset loop
The released Pocket Reform u-boot flash image for A311D/BPI-CM4 (tag 2026-01-28) seems to be broken.
https://source.mnt.re/reform/reform-a311d-uboot/-/jobs/18023
c96ea54a1947ce59cc48b1cc2d7d1dce494d8ff9
meson-g12b-bananapi-cm4-mnt-pocket-reform-flash.bin
Observed behavior (verified over UART):
- Booting from either eMMC or SD with this image loops at early boot:
- `Load BL3X ...`
- `BL33 CHK: 0x000000ff`
- `reset...`
- System never reaches normal U-Boot runtime.
- https://pastebin.com/NfvW4Q8C
Comparison:
- `flash.bin` (a locally built image from same tag) boots.
- `flash.bin` (released artifact) fails with the BL33 reset loop above.
- Binary/FIP diff shows the break is in BL33 packaging:
- BL33 entry size in working image: `0x0d1400`
- BL33 entry size in released image: `0x0d0a00` (exactly `0xA00` smaller)
- Other FIP entries are identical.
- Final u-boot image sizes match this delta:
- working: `1594880` bytes
- broken: `1592320` bytes
My only real concern here is that if someone uses reform-tools to update emmc on the A311D they will need a fair amount of embedded systems engineering knowledge and a carrier board to get their A311D working again. It took me on a stroll down memory lane, but I want to save unsuspecting folks the journey. :slight_smile:
issue