Jetson not booting up : Orin Nano 8G A78AE v8.2

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board failing to boot up properly after flashing the microSD card. The symptoms include:

• Successful flashing of the microSD card using BalenaEtcher, but upon attempting to boot, the device displays the splash screen and enters the BIOS.
• During direct boot, the fan stops spinning, and the video output is lost, indicating a failure to complete the boot process.
• This issue has been reported with both 512GB and 64GB microSD cards.

The problem occurs consistently after following standard setup procedures, which include formatting and flashing the microSD card with the appropriate image file. Users have noted that they can access system setup (BIOS) but cannot proceed beyond this point. The impact on user experience is significant, as users are unable to utilize their development board for projects or applications.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be compatibility issues between the microSD card and the Jetson board, or there could be defects in either the board or the card.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The software used to flash the microSD card (BalenaEtcher) might have bugs that prevent proper installation of necessary files.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during setup might lead to boot failures. This includes not setting up necessary jumper settings.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers could prevent proper communication between the Jetson board and connected peripherals.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature conditions might affect performance during boot.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be following all necessary steps for setup, such as ensuring all connections are correct or using the correct image files.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

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

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all connections (power, display, keyboard) are secure.
   • Check if the correct USB cable is being used for connection to a host computer (USB-C to USB-A).

2. Check Model Identification:

   • Confirm that the model number on the device matches expected specifications. For example, P3766 indicates it is an NX model.

3. Use SDK Manager for Flashing:

   • Download and install SDK Manager on a compatible Ubuntu system.
   • Connect your Jetson device via USB-C and ensure it is recognized by SDK Manager.
   • If not detected, ensure that you are using a proper USB-C cable and check for any required drivers.

4. Force Recovery Mode:

   • If SDK Manager does not recognize your device, put it into force recovery mode:
     • Shorten FC REC and GND using a jumper or dupont line.
     • Power on the device while in this mode to enable flashing.

5. Re-flash with SDK Manager:

   • Use SDK Manager to flash the Jetson Orin Nano with the appropriate image. Follow instructions provided in Nvidia’s documentation for this process.

6. Testing Different MicroSD Cards:

   • If problems persist, try using different brands or specifications of microSD cards as some users have reported compatibility issues with certain cards.

7. Check for Firmware Updates:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest firmware versions available from Nvidia’s official resources.

8. Best Practices for Future Setup:

   • Always format microSD cards before flashing.
   • Use recommended tools (like SDK Manager) as opposed to third-party utilities when possible.
   • Keep your development environment updated with the latest drivers and software versions.

9. Documentation and Resources:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for detailed instructions on setup and troubleshooting.
   • Check forums and community discussions for additional insights from other users who faced similar issues.

10. Unresolved Issues:

    • If after following these steps the issue remains unresolved, further investigation may be needed into specific hardware defects or deeper software conflicts that could require professional support from Nvidia.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve booting issues with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board effectively.