Setting UEFI Variables on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to set UEFI variables on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, specifically the 8GB model. The issue occurs when trying to modify UEFI variables through the UEFI shell. When using the setvar command, the system consistently returns an error message, indicating an inability to set the specified variable. This problem persists regardless of the variable name, attributes used, or whether attempting to overwrite existing variables or create new ones.

The issue impacts the user’s ability to customize and configure the system’s boot behavior and kernel parameters, which can be crucial for certain development and deployment scenarios. The problem appears to be consistent and reproducible, suggesting a potential underlying issue with the UEFI implementation or configuration on the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.

Possible Causes

1. UEFI Implementation Limitations: The UEFI implementation on the Jetson Orin Nano may have restrictions or bugs preventing variable modification through the shell interface.

2. Firmware Configuration: The current firmware settings might be blocking or limiting UEFI variable modifications for security or stability reasons.

3. Incorrect Command Syntax: Although unlikely given the user’s multiple attempts, there could be a specific syntax requirement for the Jetson Orin Nano that differs from standard UEFI shells.

4. Hardware Write Protection: There might be a hardware-level write protection mechanism active on the UEFI variable storage.

5. Insufficient Permissions: The UEFI shell session may lack the necessary permissions to modify system variables.

6. Unimplemented Feature: The ability to set UEFI variables through the shell might not be fully implemented in the current firmware version of the Jetson Orin Nano.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify UEFI Binary Build:

   • Ensure that you can successfully build the UEFI binary locally. This step can help identify any potential issues with the UEFI implementation.
   • Follow the Nvidia documentation for building UEFI binaries for Jetson platforms.

2. Check UEFI Configuration File:

   • Review the UEFI configuration file located at edk2-nvidia/Platform/NVIDIA/NVIDIA.common.dsc.inc in the Nvidia EDK2 repository.
   • Look for any settings related to UEFI variable access or modification.

3. Use Alternative Configuration Methods:

   • Instead of setting variables through the UEFI shell, consider modifying the UEFI configuration directly in the source code.
   • Edit the NVIDIA.common.dsc.inc file to include your desired UEFI variable settings.
   • Rebuild the UEFI binary with your changes and flash it to the device.

4. Update Firmware:

   • Check for any available firmware updates for your Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.
   • Apply the latest firmware update, as it may include fixes for UEFI-related issues.

5. Consult Nvidia Documentation:

   • Review the official Nvidia documentation for the Jetson Orin Nano, focusing on sections related to UEFI configuration and customization.
   • Look for any known issues or limitations regarding UEFI variable modification.

6. Contact Nvidia Support:

   • If the issue persists after trying the above steps, reach out to Nvidia developer support.
   • Provide detailed information about your setup, the steps you’ve taken, and the exact error messages received.

7. Explore Alternative Methods:

   • If setting UEFI variables through the shell proves impossible, consider alternative methods to achieve your desired configuration:
     • Modify kernel command line parameters during the boot process.
     • Use device tree overlays to adjust system behavior.
     • Implement your changes through software configuration rather than UEFI variables.

8. Investigate Use Case:

   • Clearly define and document your specific use case for setting UEFI variables.
   • This information can be valuable when seeking assistance from Nvidia or the community, as it may lead to alternative solutions or workarounds.

Remember that modifying UEFI variables can potentially render your system unbootable. Always ensure you have a way to recover your device, such as through a USB recovery image, before making changes to UEFI settings.