Orin Nano boots as Orin NX

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an issue where the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board fails to boot correctly, displaying an incorrect identification as an Orin NX Developer Kit during the UEFI firmware boot process. The symptoms include:

• Boot Failure: The device does not boot with the sd-blob.img on a 128GB SD card.
• Incorrect Identification: The UEFI firmware displays "NVIDIA Orin NX Developer Kit" instead of identifying as an Orin Nano.
• Warning Message: A warning indicating that a test key has been detected is also shown.

This problem typically arises during the initial setup phase when users attempt to flash the device with the appropriate firmware. Users have reported this issue consistently, raising concerns over whether they possess the correct hardware or firmware version. The impact of this problem significantly hampers user experience, as it prevents the successful initialization of the development board.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibility: The Orin Nano and Orin NX share the same board ID but differ in SKU. This could lead to confusion in firmware recognition.

• Firmware Mismatch: If the firmware being used is intended for a different model (e.g., Orin NX), it may incorrectly identify the device.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process could result in improper identification.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers may lead to recognition problems during boot.

• User Misconfiguration: Users may inadvertently flash the wrong image or fail to follow proper flashing procedures.

Understanding these potential causes can help users diagnose and resolve their issues effectively.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the booting issue with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Identification:

   • Check if your board has an SD card slot; only the Orin Nano includes this feature. If present, it confirms you have an Orin Nano.

2. Check Firmware Compatibility:

   • Ensure that you are using the correct sd-blob.img file intended for the Orin Nano. Using firmware meant for another model can cause misidentification.

3. Full Flash Procedure:

   • If you suspect a firmware issue, perform a full flash using SDK Manager:
     • Download and install SDK Manager from NVIDIA’s official site.
     • Connect your device and follow the instructions to flash it with the correct firmware.
     • This process will overwrite any previous configurations and ensure that you are using the latest software.

4. Gather System Information:

   • Use terminal commands to check system logs and configurations:

     dmesg | grep -i error
     

   • This command will help identify any errors during boot that might provide further clues about the issue.

5. Test with Different SD Cards:

   • If possible, try using a different SD card (preferably one known to work) to rule out card-related issues.

6. Review Documentation:

   • Consult NVIDIA’s official documentation for any additional updates or patches relevant to your specific model.
   • Look for driver updates or firmware upgrades that might resolve compatibility issues.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure you are using compatible hardware and software versions.
   • Regularly check for updates from NVIDIA regarding your development board.
   • Keep backups of working configurations to facilitate easier recovery from issues in the future.

If multiple users reported success with a particular solution (such as performing a full flash with SDK Manager), it is recommended as a primary approach for resolving this issue.

Unresolved aspects of this issue may include specific environmental factors or unique user configurations that have not been fully explored in discussions. Further investigation may be needed based on individual user experiences and setups.