Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit No Display

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit where no display appears after powering on the device. This problem typically occurs after users have successfully booted the device multiple times using the SD Card image method, and it arises specifically when attempting to change the Jetpack version by re-flashing the SD card.

Symptoms:

• No display output on the connected monitor after powering on the device.
• Users have attempted to enable serial logging to diagnose the issue but report no output in terminal applications like minicom or picocom.

Context:

• The issue is encountered during the setup phase, particularly after flashing a new version of Jetpack (notably versions 5.1.3 and 5.1.4).
• Users have noted that they correctly configured their serial connections but still receive no output.

Hardware/Software Specifications:

• The device in question is the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.
• Users mentioned using various terminal applications for serial communication, including minicom and picocom.

Frequency:

• The issue appears to be consistent among users who have recently attempted to change their Jetpack version.

Impact:

• The inability to see any display or receive serial logs significantly hampers user experience and functionality, preventing users from utilizing the development kit effectively.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Faulty hardware components could prevent proper booting and display output.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The specific version of Jetpack being used may contain bugs that lead to this issue, especially if it has not been thoroughly tested with the Orin Nano.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the SD card image or during the flash process may lead to boot failures.

• Driver Issues: Missing or incompatible drivers could result in no display being shown.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as inadequate power supply or overheating could affect performance and booting.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrectly set up serial connections or misconfigured terminal settings may lead to a lack of output during diagnostics.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Enable Serial Logging:

   • Ensure that you enable your terminal application (e.g., minicom, picocom) before powering on the board.
   • Use commands like:

     sudo picocom -b 115200 /dev/ttyUSB0
     

   • If using minicom, ensure it is configured correctly with no flow control and appropriate baud rate settings.

2. Check Serial Connection:

   • Verify that your USB TTL cable is properly connected. Take a photo of your connection setup for reference.
   • If issues persist with minicom, try using alternative tools like picocom.

3. Reflash the Board:

   • Use SDK Manager to reflash your Jetson Orin Nano with a stable version of Jetpack (consider trying Jetpack 5.1.4 instead of 5.1.3).
   • Follow these steps:
     • Open SDK Manager and select the appropriate Jetpack version.
     • Ensure that your SD card has sufficient space for flashing.
     • Monitor logs during flashing for any errors.

4. Review Host PC Logs:

   • After connecting the USB TTL cable, check for any error messages in your host PC’s system logs using:

     dmesg | grep ttyUSB
     

   • This can provide insights into connection issues or hardware recognition problems.

5. Inspect Flashing Errors:

   • If you encounter errors during flashing, review them carefully. Common errors related to unsupported configurations should be addressed by ensuring compatibility with your hardware setup.
   • Look for specific error messages indicating missing components or configurations that are not supported.

6. Check for Sufficient Space on SD Card:

   • Ensure that your SD card is not full and has enough space for the flashing process.
   • Consider using a different SD card if issues persist, as some users reported space-related problems affecting flashing success.

7. Export Logs for Further Analysis:

   • Use the "Export Logs" feature in SDK Manager to gather comprehensive logs about your installation attempts.
   • Attach these logs when seeking help from forums or support channels for more targeted assistance.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always back up existing configurations before making changes.
   • Ensure that you are using recommended versions of software and hardware components compatible with each other.
   • Regularly check for updates from Nvidia regarding Jetpack versions and known issues.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue of no display on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.