You may see this error when loading the Serial Flash Loader image for a Stratix® IV EP4SGX230 production device from the Quartus® II software version 9.1 or earlier when programming an EPCS device using a .jic / .jam file.
A patch is available to fix this problem for the Quartus II software version 9.1. Download and install patch 0.08 from the appropriate link below.
For Windows:
Download the Quartus II software 9.1 Patch 0.08 for Windows (.exe)
Download the Readme for the Quartus II software version 9.1 Patch 0.08 for Windows (.txt)
For Linux:
Download the Quartus II software version 9.1 Patch 0.08 for Linux (.tar)
Download the Readme for the Quartus II software version 9.1 Patch 0.08 for Linux (.txt)
This problem is scheduled to be fixed in a future release of the Quartus II software.