How to Switch to Open Source Drivers on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties launching wlroots-based compositors on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. The primary problem arises when attempting to switch from the default proprietary drivers to the open-source Nouveau drivers, which are reportedly installed by default with Jetpack 6.0. Users have noted that Nouveau is not enabled on Jetson platforms, leading to confusion and frustration during setup. The issue is consistent for those trying to utilize specific windowing systems and impacts the overall user experience by preventing the use of desired applications.

Possible Causes

1. Driver Incompatibility: The default installation of Jetpack 6.0 does not enable Nouveau drivers, which may lead to issues when trying to run wlroots-based compositors.
2. Software Bugs: Potential bugs in Jetpack 6.0 could prevent proper functionality of the Nouveau drivers.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations or settings within the system may hinder the ability to switch drivers effectively.
4. Lack of Documentation: Insufficient guidance on enabling open-source drivers may lead users to misconfigure their systems.
5. Environmental Factors: Issues related to hardware setup or power supply could also affect driver performance and system stability.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Confirm Driver Installation:

   • Check if Nouveau is installed by running:

     lsmod | grep nouveau
     

   • If not listed, you may need to install it using:

     sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
     

2. Enable Nouveau Driver:

   • Edit the GRUB configuration file:

     sudo nano /etc/default/grub
     

   • Modify the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT to include nomodeset:

     GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nomodeset"
     

   • Update GRUB and reboot:

     sudo update-grub
     sudo reboot
     

3. Check for Conflicts:

   • Ensure no other proprietary drivers are conflicting with Nouveau by checking installed packages:

     dpkg -l | grep nvidia
     

4. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the Jetson Linux Developer Guide for supported windowing systems and further instructions on driver management.

5. Testing Alternate Configurations:

   • If issues persist, consider testing with a different version of Jetpack (e.g., Jetpack 5.x), as some users have reported better compatibility with earlier versions.

6. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums for additional insights or troubleshooting tips from other users who have faced similar issues.

7. Log Collection:

   • If problems continue, collect logs for analysis by running:

     dmesg | grep nouveau > nouveau_logs.txt
     

   • Share these logs in community forums for targeted assistance.

8. Best Practices:

   • Regularly check for updates or patches from Nvidia that may resolve known issues with driver installations.
   • Document any changes made during troubleshooting to assist in future diagnostics.

By following these steps, users should be able to troubleshoot and potentially resolve issues related to switching to open-source drivers on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano systems. Further investigation may be necessary if problems remain unresolved after these attempts.