problem writing to flash

Hi,

I have a problem, writing to my flash device (Intel StrataFlash - 28F128J3).
Background: I'm using a phyCORE-MPC5200B-tiny module (a PPC embedded board) Now I want to write to the onboard flash. First I tryed to use the MTD package provided by the OpenWRT porject. Compiling was no problem but when I tried to unlock (erase/write) the flash memory, I got an error:
"phys_mapped_flash: block unlock error: (status timeout)".
Then I tried to access my flash using the mtd-tools (provided by
http://www.linux-mtd.infradead.org) and I got the same error "phys_mapped_flash: block unlock error: (status timeout)" when I tried to unlock /dev/mtd2.
Now the mysterious part: I examined the code, I found "mtdLockInfo.start = 0" and changed it to "mtdLockInfo.start = 1" and then it worked!!! So, my question is: Why???
Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong?

I'm thankful for every hint.

Simon