Can’t boot the JetPack SDK of Jetson Orin Nano for the first time!

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues booting the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit after following the setup instructions. The symptoms include:

• The system fails to launch the OS after burning the image onto the SD card using Etcher.
• Users encounter a warning message: “WARNING: Test Key is used.” followed by “L4Launcher: Attempting Direct Boot” during startup.
• Some users report that multiple partitions appear on the SD card post-imaging, raising concerns about whether this is expected behavior.
• This issue occurs consistently during the first boot attempt, impacting user experience by preventing access to the device.

The context includes initial setup stages and attempts to run JetPack SDK versions 6.0 and 5.1.x, with varying results. Users have reported spending significant time troubleshooting without resolution.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible JetPack Version: The delivered machine may not support JetPack 6.0, leading to boot failures. Users have found success with earlier versions like JetPack 5.1.1 or 5.1.2.
2. Incorrect SD Card Image: Using an SD card image that isn’t properly configured or compatible with the hardware can lead to boot issues.
3. Flashing Errors: Errors during the SD card flashing process using tools like Etcher may result in corrupted images or improper setups.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could prevent successful communication between hardware components during boot.
5. Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the initial setup or while flashing may lead to system failures.
6. Environmental Factors: Power supply inconsistencies or overheating could affect device performance and boot capability.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify SD Card Image:

   • Ensure you are using a compatible image for your Jetson Orin Nano (preferably JetPack 5.1.x).
   • Download the correct image from the Jetson Download Center.

2. Reflash SD Card:

   • Use a reliable tool like Balena Etcher to flash the image onto a high-quality microSD card (32GB UHS-1 minimum recommended).
   • Follow these commands in terminal:

     sudo dd if=path_to_your_image.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
     sync
     

   • Replace /dev/sdX with your actual SD card device identifier.

3. Boot in Recovery Mode:

   • To ensure proper flashing with SDK Manager, place your Jetson Orin Nano into recovery mode:
     • Connect pins 9 and 10 on the Button Header while powering on.
     • Use a USB Type-C cable to connect to your host PC.

4. Use SDK Manager:

   • Launch NVIDIA SDK Manager on an Ubuntu host (preferably Ubuntu 20.04).
   • Select "Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit" as your target hardware and follow prompts to flash L4T BSP.
   • If issues arise, use the "EXPORT LOGS" feature in SDK Manager for diagnostics.

5. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure you are using a compatible power supply (19V for Orin Nano). Verify connections and polarity.

6. Test with Different Configurations:

   • Try different microSD cards or USB drives if available.
   • Test with minimal peripherals connected (only keyboard, mouse, and display).

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide for detailed setup instructions and troubleshooting tips.

8. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or NVIDIA’s Discord for additional assistance from other users who may have resolved similar issues.

9. Best Practices:

   • Always verify compatibility of hardware and software before starting setup.
   • Keep firmware updated as per guidelines provided in official documentation.

10. Unresolved Aspects:

    • Users report variability in success rates when switching between JetPack versions; further investigation into specific hardware compatibility may be necessary.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and resolve booting issues with their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit effectively.