Bluepill -- STlink V2 -- GDB server -- All Troubleshooting steps taken -- Problem Persists

[learner]

Background:
I recently bought a STM32 blue pill and STLink V2 online. This is my first time using a STM board, I am quite familiar with arduino, esp and 8051(Proteus simulation).

 

Problem:
I have attached the 'error.png' file below it is a 'failed to start GDB server error' (for people who cannot for some reason see the file). I have done the following troubleshooting steps, which I found on chatgpt, youtube and this community:
1) Check debugger configuration settings. (attached screenshots)
2) Tried lowering the debug frequency from 'Auto'.
3) Tried all reset behaviors: 'Connect under reset', 'Software reset' etc...
4) Upgraded the stlink firmware
5) Checked and found 'STM32 STlink' is showing up in the device manager
6) Only have windows defender on my laptop, still I excluded entire 'STM32CubeIDE_1.19.0' folder.
7) Re-did the wiring and everything seems correct.
8) Rebooted everything twice and didn't work
9) Tried clean the project, delete and remake the debug configuration file and complete build a new project and nothing worked.
10) Tried my friend's laptop and a different blue pill and STLink V1, didn't work
11) Tried reinstalling stlink GDB server from https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/st-link-server.html and didn't work

At this point I think I tried everything I could find online, I really hope someone from this community helps me find where I went wrong, or if I am making some silly mistake. Also, I tried using the STM32CubeProgrammer and the code flashes just fine (I still want to try the debugger). 

Regards and Thank you for reading this long query!

[TDK]

Knock-off programmers don't work well with STM32CubeIDE. Consider getting a genuine board.

https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/nucleo-f103rb.html

 

[mƎALLEm]

Hello @learner and welcome to the ST-Community,

---

@learner wrote:

This is my first time using a STM board

First, this is not an STM board. It's manufactured by Chinese and we don't recommend its usage due to the fake chips soldered on it that can induces to some usage issues.

Second, use one of the STM genuine board like NUCLEO-F103RB.

[learner]

Apologies for taking up your time, but I wasn’t aware this could be a possibility before purchasing. In India, there are no official ST suppliers who sell the Blue Pill development board—only the standalone MCUs are available. This makes it very difficult to know whether a seller is providing a genuine or fake MCU chip (especially since mine has laser engraving and the ST logo, which makes it look authentic).

It would be extremely helpful if ST could approve more authorized sellers in India, particularly for the Blue Pill development board. If that isn’t possible, I honestly feel the STM32F103C8T6 should no longer be sold, as it only creates unnecessary problems for first-time STM learners and drive the target market away.

[TDK]

The blue pill isn't an ST board, so you won't find any official ST supplier for it, India or otherwise. The vast majority of blue pill boards have non-ST parts on the board. I'm sure ST wishes they would stop being sold as well.

[AScha.3]

So with CubeProgrammer it connects and is like expected ?

+

In IDE you could try using other debug -> openOCD

And set : software reset (hardware reset not working on "V2 sticks" ! ).

 

[learner]

Thank you very much for the reply! I tried it as you suggested and it didn't work:

 

I don't want to reply with this (I really want your help), but its okay you don't need to help me here as I am pretty sure that my stuff is fake (128kB flash and 20 kB SRAM) and even if we get it to work now, it will eventually end up with some other problem with the ADC or sensor interfacing protocols or something. I will use it with Arduino IDE for now and look for some other nucleo or discovery board.
Thanks again for your help though!!

[learner]

It would be really nice if ST took concrete steps to show that, anyways thank you!

[TDK]

How do you want ST to stop other people selling knock off boards? It's out of their control.

[learner]

I understand ST cannot completely control the market but the least they can do is make a youtube video or a webpage, creating awareness about bluepill not being a ST product and making people aware of fake versions online, or maybe provide at least one approved seller that sells the bluepill board (if they want to sell the MCU), so that a beginner buyer has at least one option to get their hands on a cheap board that is not fake. 

[learner]

It would be really helpful if the fake STM32F103C8T6 didn't show up in the target selector in STM32CubeIDE

Also, it shows up on ST's website as a valid product: https://estore.st.com/en/stm32f103c8t6-cpn.html

Also, shows up on digiKey, Mouser etc.

I am pretty sure ST sells it as a valid product, anyways I already looked for the nucleo f103 board you suggested from mouser and am buying it.

 

[mƎALLEm]

STM32F103C8T6 is a ST MCU part number and it was copied by Chinese. So removing that part number has no sense. What we are sure about is that the chip soldered on the Blue-pill board with STM32F103C8T6 marking is counterfeit.

 

[learner]

Yes I understand. Thank you!