Jetson Orin Nano Boot Failure After CUDA Installation

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development board are experiencing a boot failure issue after attempting to install CUDA. The problem manifests as follows:

• The screen does not appear after rebooting the device
• The issue occurred after uninstalling CUDA to resolve dependency problems
• The problem affects a custom carrier board running JetPack version 5.1.1
• Prior to the CUDA installation attempt, the device was functioning normally

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible CUDA Installation: The attempted CUDA installation may have caused conflicts with existing system components or drivers.

2. Corrupted System Files: The process of installing and then uninstalling CUDA might have corrupted critical system files.

3. BSP Compatibility Issues: The Board Support Package (BSP) may not be fully compatible with the custom carrier board, leading to instability after software changes.

4. Hardware-Software Mismatch: The custom carrier board might require specific configurations or drivers that were altered during the CUDA installation process.

5. Incomplete CUDA Uninstallation: Remnants of the CUDA installation may be interfering with the boot process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Re-flash the Device:

   • This is the most recommended solution based on the forum discussion.
   • Obtain the correct image for JetPack 5.1.1.
   • Follow Nvidia’s official flashing instructions for the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Command example (adjust paths as necessary):

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
     

2. Verify BSP Compatibility:

   • If using a third-party carrier board, contact the vendor to ensure you have the correct BSP.
   • For self-made carrier boards, review and apply any necessary customizations to the BSP.

3. Boot in Recovery Mode:

   • Connect the Jetson to your host PC via USB.
   • Put the Jetson into recovery mode (usually by holding the recovery button while powering on).
   • Use Nvidia’s SDK Manager to flash the latest compatible JetPack version.

4. Check for Hardware Issues:

   • Inspect the custom carrier board for any physical damage or loose connections.
   • Try booting with minimal peripherals connected to isolate potential hardware conflicts.

5. Analyze Boot Logs:

   • If possible, access the device’s boot logs using a serial console.
   • Look for specific error messages or failures during the boot process.
   • Use commands like dmesg or journalctl to view system logs if you can access a command line.

6. Restore to Last Known Good Configuration:

   • If available, boot into a previous working snapshot or backup of the system.
   • Use this to identify changes that may have caused the issue.

7. CUDA Reinstallation (After Successful Boot):

   • Once the system is booting correctly, attempt a clean CUDA installation:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install cuda-toolkit-11-4  # Adjust version as needed
     

   • Ensure all dependencies are correctly installed:

     sudo apt install -f
     

8. Update the Entire System:

   • After a successful boot, update all packages:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
     

   • Reboot the system to apply all updates:

     sudo reboot
     

9. Consult Nvidia Developer Forums:

   • If the issue persists, create a detailed post on the Nvidia Developer Forums.
   • Include information about your custom carrier board, exact JetPack version, and steps taken.

Remember to document each step taken and its outcome. This will be valuable information if you need to seek further assistance from Nvidia support or the developer community.