Can I go back to JP 5.1 after installing JP 6 DP?

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues when attempting to revert from JetPack (JP) 6.0 Developer Preview (DP) back to JP 5.1.1 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The specific symptoms include:

• The Ubuntu operating system fails to start up after switching to a JP 5.1.1 environment SD card.
• Users report that simply re-flashing the SD card image does not resolve the issue.

The problem typically occurs in the context of downgrading the software version after initial installation of JP 6.0 DP. Users have noted that this issue arises consistently when trying to revert to an older version, suggesting a potential compatibility problem between the two JetPack versions.

The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents users from utilizing their development boards effectively and may hinder ongoing projects that rely on specific software environments.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The QSPI loader may not be compatible between JP 5 and JP 6, leading to boot failures.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in JP 6 that affect the ability to revert back to an earlier version.

• Configuration Errors: Improper configuration during the downgrade process could lead to failures in starting up the operating system.

• Driver Issues: Changes in drivers between versions may cause conflicts when attempting to boot from an older environment.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be following the correct procedures for downgrading JetPack versions, leading to installation errors.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of reverting from JP 6 DP to JP 5.1.1, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Full Reflash Required:

   • It is essential to perform a full reflash of the device rather than just re-flashing the SD card image.
   • Use the Nvidia SDK Manager for this process.

2. Steps for Reflashing:

   • Download and install the latest version of Nvidia SDK Manager on your host PC.
   • Connect your Jetson Orin Nano Dev board to your host PC via USB.
   • Launch SDK Manager and select your device model and JetPack version (JP 5.1.1).
   • Follow the prompts to flash the entire device, ensuring all components are updated correctly.

3. Commands for Gathering System Information:

   • Before reflashing, you can check your current JetPack version using:

     dpkg-query --show nvidia-l4t-core
     

   • This command will provide information about the installed version.

4. Testing Different Configurations:

   • If issues persist after reflashing, consider testing with different SD cards or USB drives to rule out hardware issues.

5. Potential Workarounds:

   • If immediate downgrading is not feasible, consider continuing with JP 6 DP while monitoring for updates or fixes from Nvidia that may resolve compatibility issues.

6. Best Practices for Future Downgrades:

   • Always back up important data before performing major software changes.
   • Review Nvidia’s official documentation on JetPack installations and downgrades for any specific guidelines or recommendations.

7. Documentation and Updates:

   • Keep an eye on Nvidia’s forums and official release notes for updates regarding compatibility between different JetPack versions.

By following these steps, users should be able to successfully downgrade their Jetson Orin Nano Dev board from JP 6 DP back to JP 5.1.1 without encountering startup issues.