Orin Nano does not boot after flashing SD card

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Board have reported issues where the device fails to boot after flashing an SD card with JetPack 5.1.1. The symptoms include:

• Failure to Boot: The board does not power up correctly, and users see no output on the display.
• Serial Debug Console Output: Users have collected logs from four consecutive boot attempts (boot1.txt, boot2.txt, boot3.txt, boot4.txt) which indicate different states of the boot process.
• Recovery Mode Activation: After three consecutive failed boot attempts, the system enters recovery mode, as indicated by the logs.

The issue typically occurs during the initial setup phase after flashing the SD card. Users have specified that they are using the 8GB version of the Jetson Orin Nano and have followed specific instructions for flashing the software. The problem is consistent across multiple attempts and significantly impacts user experience by preventing access to the development environment.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Incompatible BSP Version: The board may be using a Board Support Package (BSP) version that is not compatible with the UEFI and kernel versions.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There could be bugs in the JetPack version being used or conflicts between different software components.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process may lead to an improper configuration that prevents booting.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may cause failures in hardware initialization.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently follow incorrect procedures or use incompatible hardware components.

These causes can lead to a failure in booting due to mismatches between software components or incorrect configurations.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the boot issue with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Software Versions:

   • Check that the kernel version (JetPack 5.1.1 / rel-35.3.1) matches the UEFI version (rel-35.4.1). Mismatched versions can lead to boot failures.

2. Reflash Using SDK Manager:

   • Use the Nvidia SDK Manager to reflash the board instead of using a pre-flashed SD card image.
   • Ensure you select compatible versions for both UEFI and kernel during the flashing process.

3. Gather System Information:

   • If possible, connect to a serial console to capture debug output during boot attempts. This can provide insights into where the failure occurs.

4. Test Different Configurations:

   • If you have access to another SD card, try flashing it again to rule out any corruption in the initial flash.
   • Test with different power supplies to ensure adequate power delivery.

5. Check for Updates:

   • Look for updates or patches for JetPack that may address known issues with your current setup.

6. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any specific instructions related to your hardware version and JetPack installation.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure that you are using compatible versions of software components when setting up your development environment.
   • Regularly check for updates from Nvidia regarding JetPack and related tools.

If multiple users reported success with reflashing via SDK Manager as a solution, it is recommended as a primary approach for resolving this issue.

Unresolved Aspects

While many users have successfully resolved their issues through these steps, further investigation may be needed if problems persist after following these recommendations. Users should consider reaching out to Nvidia support forums for additional assistance if necessary.