Graphical Corruption in Dolphin Emulator on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Using Vulkan Backend

Issue Overview

Users have reported experiencing graphical corruption while using the Dolphin Emulator to emulate Nintendo Wii and GameCube games on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board. The specific symptom is a rapidly moving horizontal black bar that appears on the screen when utilizing the Vulkan backend. This issue does not occur when using other backends, such as OpenGL, or on different hardware configurations (e.g., RADV MESA drivers, Intel MESA drivers, AMD/Intel Windows GPU drivers, or the r32.3.1 version on Tegra-X1).

The problem manifests during gameplay and is independent of the VSync setting, meaning it occurs regardless of whether VSync is enabled or disabled. The issue has been consistently reported by multiple users, indicating its reliability across various testing scenarios.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The Jetson Orin Nano may have specific hardware limitations or incompatibilities with the Vulkan API that lead to graphical corruption.

• Software Bugs: There may be unresolved bugs in the Dolphin Emulator’s Vulkan implementation that specifically affect the Jetson Orin Nano.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings within the Dolphin Emulator could contribute to the issue, particularly if Vulkan is not properly configured.

• Driver Issues: The graphics drivers for the Jetson Orin Nano might not fully support Vulkan features required by the Dolphin Emulator, leading to rendering problems.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could potentially affect performance and stability during emulation.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations by users regarding emulator settings or installation procedures may also lead to these symptoms.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Installation:

   • Ensure that you have installed the Dolphin Emulator correctly by executing the following command:

     bash <( curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cobalt2727/L4T-Megascript/master/helper.sh ) "scripts/games_and_emulators/dolphin/install.sh"
     

2. Run Dolphin Emulator:

   • After installation, run the emulator using:

     /usr/local/bin/dolphin-emu
     

   • Alternatively, you can launch it from your applications list.

3. Check Renderer Settings:

   • Open Dolphin Emulator settings and ensure that the renderer is set to "Vulkan." If it is not set to Vulkan, switch it from OpenGL to Vulkan to replicate the issue.

4. Test with Different Games:

   • Use legally acquired Nintendo Wii or GameCube game dumps for testing. If you do not have access to these games, consider testing with homebrew games available from sources like WiiBrew.

5. Monitor for Updates:

   • Users have reported that this issue was resolved in version 36.3.0 of the Dolphin Emulator. Ensure you are using this version or later to avoid encountering this graphical corruption.

6. Check for Driver Updates:

   • Verify that your graphics drivers are up-to-date and compatible with Vulkan. Check Nvidia’s official website for any driver updates specific to the Jetson Orin Nano.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to official Dolphin documentation for any additional configuration settings that may help mitigate issues related to Vulkan rendering.

8. Report Unresolved Issues:

   • If problems persist after following these steps, consider reporting your findings on relevant forums or support channels for further assistance.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the graphical corruption issue encountered while using the Dolphin Emulator on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.