JetPack 6.0 Flashing Issue on Jetson Orin Nano (8GB) with SDK Manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash JetPack 6.0 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano (8GB) development board using the SDK Manager. The flashing process fails, preventing the successful installation of the operating system and necessary software components. This issue occurs during the initial setup or when trying to update the system to the latest JetPack version. The problem appears to be consistent, as evidenced by the error logs provided by the user.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible or Corrupted Storage Device: The error message suggests that there might be an issue with the eMMC storage on the Jetson Orin Nano. This could be due to a hardware defect or corruption of the storage device.

2. Incorrect Partition Table: The error indicates that the GPT (GUID Partition Table) might be larger than the actual storage capacity of the device. This mismatch could prevent proper partitioning and flashing.

3. Invalid XML Configuration: The flashing process relies on XML files for configuration. An invalid or corrupted XML file could lead to errors during the flashing process.

4. SDK Manager Compatibility: There might be compatibility issues between the version of the SDK Manager being used and the Jetson Orin Nano hardware or the JetPack 6.0 software package.

5. Host System Configuration: The problem could be related to the host system used for flashing, such as using a virtual machine instead of a native Ubuntu installation, or having insufficient permissions.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Configuration:

   • Confirm whether you are using the Jetson Orin Nano developer kit or a custom board.
   • Ensure all connections are secure and the power supply is stable.

2. Check Host System Setup:

   • Verify if you are using a native Ubuntu OS or a virtual machine for the flashing process.
   • If using a VM, try switching to a native Ubuntu installation to rule out virtualization-related issues.

3. Validate Storage Device:

   • Run a storage health check using the following command:

     sudo badblocks -v /dev/mmcblk0
     

   • If issues are found, consider replacing the eMMC storage if possible.

4. Partition Table Verification:

   • Use GParted or a similar tool to examine the current partition table of the device.
   • Ensure that the partitions defined in the flashing XML match the actual storage capacity.

5. XML Configuration Check:

   • Locate the XML file used for flashing (typically in the L4T package).
   • Review the XML file for any obvious errors or misconfigurations.
   • Compare the XML file with a known working configuration for Jetson Orin Nano.

6. SDK Manager and JetPack Compatibility:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of the SDK Manager compatible with JetPack 6.0.
   • Try using an older, stable version of JetPack (e.g., 5.x) to isolate if the issue is specific to version 6.0.

7. Alternative Flashing Method:

   • Attempt to flash the system using the command-line tools instead of the SDK Manager.
   • Use the following commands:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
     

8. Clear Existing Partitions:

   • If previous attempts have left the storage in an inconsistent state, try clearing all partitions:

     sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mmcblk0 bs=1M count=1000
     

   • After clearing, attempt the flashing process again.

9. Check for Known Issues:

   • Review the NVIDIA Developer Forums for similar issues with JetPack 6.0 on Orin Nano.
   • Apply any available patches or workarounds mentioned in the forums.

10. Firmware Update:

    • Check if there’s a firmware update available for the Jetson Orin Nano.
    • Apply any available updates before attempting to flash JetPack 6.0.

11. File Bug Report:

    • If none of the above steps resolve the issue, file a detailed bug report with NVIDIA, including:
      • Full error logs
      • Hardware configuration details
      • Steps to reproduce the issue
      • Any troubleshooting steps already attempted

Remember to backup any important data before attempting these solutions, as some steps involve modifying the storage device. If the issue persists after trying these solutions, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from NVIDIA support or consider the possibility of hardware-related problems.