Issue with booting Jetson Orin Nano for the first time using 256GB SD card

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues booting the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit after flashing a 256GB SD card with the appropriate image. The symptoms include:

• The board fails to reach the booting menu, displaying the Nvidia UEFI firmware screen briefly before showing a warning: "WARNING: Test Key is used."
• Users encounter an error stating, "Could not detect network connection," followed by a blank screen and entry into an interactive UEFI shell.
• The shell displays messages indicating that it is unable to boot from the SD card, despite it being set as the first boot option in the boot order.

This problem typically occurs during the initial setup phase when users attempt to boot the device for the first time after flashing it. The issue appears consistently across various attempts, impacting user experience significantly as it prevents access to the intended operating system and development environment.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes have been identified for this booting issue:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The SD card may not be compatible or could be defective, leading to failure in reading the boot image.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be discrepancies between the Jetpack version used and the firmware version of the Jetson Orin Nano.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the boot order or improper flashing of the SD card could prevent successful booting.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may lead to failures in recognizing hardware components necessary for booting.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance during startup.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not have followed all necessary steps for flashing or configuring their devices properly.

Each of these causes can contribute to the observed symptoms by disrupting the normal boot process of the Jetson Orin Nano.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address this issue, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Verify SD Card Integrity:

   • Ensure that the 256GB SD card is functioning correctly. Consider testing with a different SD card to rule out hardware issues.

2. Check Flashing Process:

   • Re-flash the SD card using Balena Etcher or Win32Disk Imager, ensuring that you are using a compatible image version. Follow these steps:
     • Format the SD card completely.
     • Download and use the correct Jetpack version (e.g., JP 6.0) from NVIDIA’s official site.
     • Flash it again using Balena Etcher.

3. Update Bootloader:

   • Ensure that your bootloader is updated to match the version of Jetpack you are using. If your current version is older (e.g., 35.3.1), update it according to NVIDIA’s documentation on upgrading from Jetpack 5 to Jetpack 6.

4. Use NVIDIA SDK Manager:

   • If issues persist, consider using NVIDIA SDK Manager for a complete re-flash of your device:
     • Download NVIDIA SDK Manager from NVIDIA’s official site.
     • Follow instructions for installation and setup outlined in their documentation.

5. Check Boot Order Settings:

   • Access UEFI settings and confirm that the SD card is prioritized as the first boot device. Adjust if necessary.

6. Network Connection Check:

   • Ensure that any required network connections are properly configured if applicable, as some setups may require internet access during initial boot.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation for any specific instructions related to your hardware and software configuration.

8. Community Support:

   • If none of these solutions work, consider reaching out on forums or support channels where other users may have encountered similar issues.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their booting issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.