EEPROM Read Failure on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit for the first time. The primary symptom is an EEPROM read failure, which prevents the board from booting properly. This issue occurs during the initial setup process, specifically when using the Linux for Tegra (L4T) flashing tools. The problem appears to be consistent across different software versions, including JetPack SDK 5.2.1 and 6.0. The impact of this issue is significant, as it renders the development board unusable, with no output on the debug UART or display port after attempted flashing.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Defect: The most likely cause of this issue is a hardware failure, particularly in the EEPROM or I2C communication components. This is especially concerning given that the problem is occurring with a brand new development kit.

2. I2C Communication Error: The error logs indicate a timeout while polling for transfer complete, suggesting a problem with the I2C communication between the main processor and the EEPROM.

3. EEPROM Malfunction: The system is unable to read the EEPROM, which could be due to a faulty EEPROM chip or incorrect configuration.

4. Power Supply Issues: Although not explicitly mentioned in the discussion, inadequate or unstable power supply could potentially cause communication errors with onboard components.

5. Manufacturing Defect: Given that this is a new board, there’s a possibility of a manufacturing defect affecting the EEPROM or related circuitry.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware:

   • Confirm that you are indeed using a genuine Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit and not a custom carrier board.
   • Inspect the board visually for any obvious physical damage or manufacturing defects.

2. Try Different Software Versions:

   • Attempt flashing with JetPack SDK 6.0 if you haven’t already.

   • Use the following command to flash the board:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device mmcblk1p1 \
     -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" \
     --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

3. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure that you’re using a power supply that meets the specifications for the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit.
   • Try a different power supply if available to rule out power-related issues.

4. Verify Connections:

   • Double-check all connections, including USB and power connections.
   • Ensure that the board is properly seated in its slot if applicable.

5. Reset the Board:

   • Perform a hard reset of the board by disconnecting all power sources for at least 30 seconds, then reconnecting and attempting the flash process again.

6. Contact Nvidia Support:

   • If the issue persists after trying the above steps, it’s highly likely that you’re dealing with a hardware failure.
   • Prepare to initiate an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) process with Nvidia or the retailer from whom you purchased the development kit.

7. Provide Diagnostic Information:

   • When contacting support, provide the following information:
     • Detailed description of the issue
     • Software versions used (JetPack SDK, L4T version)
     • Complete error logs, including the EEPROM read failure messages
     • Any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken

8. Consider RMA:

   • Given that this is a new board and the issue appears to be hardware-related, pursuing an RMA is likely the best course of action.
   • Follow Nvidia’s RMA process to obtain a replacement board.

It’s worth bringing up that while software-related troubleshooting steps have been provided, the consensus from the forum discussion strongly suggests a hardware failure. In such cases, attempting further software fixes or modifications is unlikely to resolve the issue, and could potentially void the warranty. The recommended action is to proceed with an RMA to obtain a functional replacement unit.