Unable to BOOT UP/start up jetson orin nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, characterized by a non-responsive screen and error messages. The issue often arises during the startup process, particularly when the device is expected to load the operating system from an SD card.

Symptoms reported include:

• The screen turning off and becoming unresponsive.
• Error messages displayed when attempting to boot without an SD card.
• Users have attempted to reflash the SD card without success.

The problem appears to be consistent, with multiple users reporting similar experiences. The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents access to the development environment and functionality of the device.

Users have also noted that when rebooting without an SD card, they receive different error messages, indicating possible issues with the boot configuration or the SD card itself.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this boot issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Faulty SD cards or improper connections may prevent the device from reading startup files correctly.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Issues with the Jetpack image or SDK Manager may lead to improper installation or corruption of files necessary for booting.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect boot parameters set in the Boot Maintenance Manager could hinder the startup process.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may cause conflicts during boot.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues, such as insufficient voltage or current, might affect device performance.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrectly following setup procedures can lead to misconfigured boot settings.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

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

1. Check Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that the SD card is properly seated in its slot.
   • Verify that all power connections are secure and that the power supply meets device specifications.

2. Reflash the SD Card:

   • Use the SDK Manager to reflash the SD card with a fresh image of Jetpack.
   • Follow these commands in your terminal:

     sudo sdkmanager --install
     

3. Access Boot Maintenance Manager:

   • Power on the device and press Esc immediately to enter Setup.
   • Navigate to Boot Maintenance Manager (not Boot Manager).
   • Press F9 to reset boot parameters to default.

4. Verify Boot Order:

   • Ensure that the boot order is set correctly in the Boot Maintenance Manager.
   • If unsure, refer to documentation for recommended settings.

5. Testing Without SD Card:

   • If you attempt to boot without an SD card and receive errors, try reinserting a correctly flashed SD card before rebooting.

6. Check for Error Messages:

   • Take note of any error messages displayed during the boot process and search for specific solutions related to those messages.

7. Seek Community Help:

   • If issues persist, consider posting detailed descriptions of your problem along with screenshots in forums dedicated to Nvidia Jetson products for additional support.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Regularly update firmware and software through SDK Manager.
   • Always use high-quality, compatible SD cards for flashing images.
   • Keep a backup of working configurations in case future reflashes are needed.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their boot issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. If problems remain unresolved after trying these solutions, further investigation into hardware defects or deeper software issues may be necessary.