SDK Manager Not Flashing a New SD-Card Using Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash an SD card for the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit using the SDK Manager. The primary symptoms include repeated error messages during the flashing process, specifically related to checkpoints and failures in reading the recovery state. The logs indicate issues such as "failed to read rcm_state," "not in gzip format," and "value 0x31 is out of range." These errors occur consistently during the setup process, suggesting a potential issue with either the hardware or software configurations. Users have previously succeeded in flashing the SD card, indicating that this problem may be intermittent or related to recent changes in the environment or setup.

Context

• Hardware Specifications: Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, SD card (specific brand/model not mentioned).
• Software Specifications: SDK Manager with JetPack 6.0.
• Frequency: The issue appears to be consistent for multiple users attempting to flash using similar setups.
• Impact: Users are unable to boot their devices, significantly hindering their development projects.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects:

   • If the SD card is faulty or incompatible, it may lead to write errors during the flashing process.

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts:

   • Issues within SDK Manager or JetPack 6.0 could cause unexpected behavior during flashing.

3. Configuration Errors:

   • Incorrect settings in SDK Manager or failure to put the device into recovery mode can prevent successful flashing.

4. Driver Issues:

   • Outdated or incompatible drivers may interfere with the flashing process.

5. Environmental Factors:

   • Power supply inconsistencies or overheating could affect the stability of the flashing operation.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations:

   • Incorrectly following flashing instructions or using outdated images could lead to errors.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure that the SD card is compatible and functioning properly by testing it on another device.
   • Check connections and power supply stability.

2. Update SDK Manager and JetPack:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of SDK Manager and JetPack. If using JetPack 6.x, consider reverting to JetPack 5.x for stability.

3. Force Recovery Mode:

   • To enter recovery mode, short pins 9 and 10 on the button header while powering on the device.
   • Use the command:

     sudo reboot --force forced-recovery
     

4. Capture Serial Console Logs:

   • Connect a USB-to-TTL serial cable to capture detailed logs during the flashing process for further analysis.
   • Use commands like lsusb to ensure that the device is recognized by your host machine.

5. Check Flashing Commands:

   • Use specific commands for flashing:

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

   • Ensure that you are targeting the correct device and partition.

6. Review Logs for Errors:

   • Analyze logs for specific error messages that can provide insight into what went wrong during flashing.
   • Look for messages like "gzip: not in gzip format" which indicates issues with image files.

7. Rebuild Kernel Modules:

   • If kernel module loading fails (as indicated by errors such as "Exec format error"), ensure that all out-of-tree modules are built correctly after kernel customization.

8. Use Alternative Flashing Methods:

   • If SDK Manager fails, consider using command-line tools like dd to manually flash images onto SD cards.

9. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation for troubleshooting steps and best practices.
   • Engage with community forums for additional insights from users who have faced similar issues.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Regularly update software and firmware.
    • Test new images on a separate SD card before widespread deployment.
    • Maintain backups of working configurations and images.

Code Snippet Example

To check if your device is recognized after connecting it via USB, run:

lsusb -d '0955:'

If you encounter persistent issues despite following these steps, consider reaching out to NVIDIA support or community forums with detailed logs and descriptions of your attempts for further assistance.