Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Boot Issues and Recovery Solutions

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing boot issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Board, specifically after attempting to install the firmware using the command sudo apt-get install nvidia-l4t-jetson-orin-nano-qspi. The symptoms include the board starting up (with the fan running) but then shutting off shortly after, often leading to a blank screen. This problem typically occurs during the initial setup or firmware update phase when users are trying to boot from a micro SD card with Jetpack 6 installed. The issue seems to arise consistently for multiple users, indicating a potential systemic problem related to firmware updates and bootloader configurations. Users have reported that they inadvertently rebooted the device instead of following proper shutdown procedures, which may have led to incomplete firmware installations. The impact of this issue is significant, as it prevents users from utilizing their development boards effectively.

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete Firmware Installation: Users may have interrupted the firmware installation process by rebooting improperly, leading to corrupted boot files.
2. Incorrect Boot Configuration: The device may not be configured to boot from the correct source (e.g., SD card vs. QSPI).
3. Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent successful booting.
4. Hardware Compatibility: Using third-party hardware or incorrect configurations may lead to boot failures.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect boot performance.
6. User Errors: Misconfigurations during setup or installation processes can lead to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Boot Configuration:

   • Access the Boot Maintenance Manager by pressing ESC during startup.
   • Navigate to Boot Options and ensure that the SD card is set as the primary boot device.

2. Capture Serial Console Logs:

   • Connect a TTL serial UART USB cable to obtain logs during boot-up for diagnostic purposes.
   • Use commands like sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1 to gather detailed logs.

3. Reflash Firmware:

   • If you suspect an incomplete installation, use SDK Manager on an Ubuntu host machine to reflash both the QSPI and SD card images.
   • Ensure that the QSPI bootloader is updated before attempting to boot with Jetpack 6.

4. Use SDK Manager:

   • Install Jetpack 6 via SDK Manager on an Ubuntu PC, which will handle both SD card flashing and QSPI updates.
   • If a Windows system is being used, consider dual-booting with Ubuntu or using WSL2 with proper configurations.

5. Testing Different Hardware Configurations:

   • If possible, test with different micro SD cards or NVMe SSDs to rule out hardware issues.
   • Ensure that only one storage medium is connected at a time when testing.

6. Verify Power Supply:

   • Ensure that the power supply meets the specifications required for the Jetson Orin Nano board.
   • Check for any signs of overheating or inadequate power delivery.

7. Follow Best Practices for Future Installations:

   • Always ensure proper shutdown procedures are followed during firmware updates.
   • Regularly check for updates on drivers and firmware from Nvidia’s official resources.

8. Documentation and Resources:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation on Getting Started with Jetson Orin Nano for detailed setup instructions.
   • Keep track of release notes for Jetpack and L4T versions to ensure compatibility.

9. Unresolved Issues:

   • Some users may still face issues even after following these steps; further investigation into specific logs may be needed.
   • Consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia support for unresolved queries regarding specific error messages encountered during boot attempts.

By following these structured troubleshooting steps, users can effectively diagnose and potentially resolve boot issues with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Boards.