Unable to Flash Orin Nano Dev Kit SSD with SDK Manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties flashing Jetpack 5.1.1 onto Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development kits directly to the NVMe SSD without using an SD card. The OS flash process consistently fails, despite attempts to use different USB cables and formatting the SSD with a single ext4 partition. This issue occurs during the initial setup process using SDK Manager 1.9.2 on a clean installation of Ubuntu 20.06 LTS.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible SDK Manager version: The issue may be related to specific versions of SDK Manager, as evidenced by the problem persisting in version 1.9.2 but resolving in version 1.9.3 for some users.

2. USB connectivity issues: The problem could be caused by faulty USB cables or ports, affecting the device’s ability to enter recovery mode or maintain a stable connection during flashing.

3. SSD compatibility: There might be compatibility issues between the specific NVMe SSD and the Orin Nano dev kit, preventing successful flashing.

4. Operating system limitations: The clean installation of Ubuntu 20.06 LTS might have driver or configuration issues that interfere with the flashing process.

5. Docker container conflicts: When using the Docker container method, there may be conflicts between the container environment and the host system, particularly after SDK Manager updates.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Try alternative flashing methods:

   • Attempt flashing to an SD card or USB drive to isolate whether the issue is specific to the NVMe SSD.
   • If successful with SD card/USB, investigate potential SSD compatibility issues.

2. Use Docker container on a different OS:

   • Try using the official NVIDIA SDK Manager Docker container on a different Linux distribution, such as Arch Linux.
   • Follow the official documentation for setting up the Docker container: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/docker-containers/index.html

3. Update SDK Manager:

   • If using version 1.9.2, update to the latest version (1.9.3 or newer).
   • Note that updating may resolve some issues but could potentially introduce new ones.

4. Check USB device recognition:

   • Ensure the device is properly recognized in recovery mode by running:

     lsusb
     

   • Look for an entry like "0955:7523 NVIDIA Corp. APX".

5. Use GUI method on Ubuntu 20.04:

   • If Docker method fails, try using the regular GUI method in Ubuntu 20.04 with SDK Manager 1.9.3.

6. Dump UART log:

   • If flashing continues to fail, dump the UART log when the device fails to be flashed for further diagnosis.

7. Try script-based flashing:

   • Attempt flashing using the initrd flash script provided in the NVIDIA BSP (Board Support Package).

8. Check and update drivers:

   • Ensure all necessary drivers are up-to-date on the host system.
   • Look for any NVIDIA-specific driver updates that might improve compatibility.

9. Verify SSD formatting:

   • Double-check that the NVMe SSD is properly formatted with a single ext4 partition.
   • Consider trying alternative partition schemes if the issue persists.

10. Experiment with different USB ports and cables:

    • Try using different USB ports on the host computer.
    • Test with multiple high-quality USB cables to rule out cable-related issues.

11. Monitor system temperature:

    • Ensure the device is not overheating during the flashing process, which could cause failures.
    • Provide adequate ventilation and cooling if necessary.

12. Check power supply:

    • Verify that the power supply is stable and providing sufficient power to the Orin Nano dev kit during the flashing process.

If the issue persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to NVIDIA support or posting in their official forums with detailed logs and system information for further assistance.