Unable to Boot Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board After Flashing with SDK Manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit after attempting to flash it using the SDK Manager. The specific symptoms include:

• Flashing process appears to complete successfully according to SDK Manager logs
• Device fails to boot after the flashing process
• Intermittent USB connection issues during flashing (device removed/added notices)
• Successful boot achieved only after reflashing the SD card using a Windows PC

The problem occurs during the initial setup process and significantly impacts the user’s ability to get the development board operational. This issue seems to be related to the connection between the host PC and the Jetson Orin Nano board during the flashing process.

Possible Causes

1. USB Connection Issues: Intermittent USB connectivity problems during the flashing process may lead to incomplete or corrupted flashing, preventing proper boot.

2. SDK Manager Compatibility: There might be compatibility issues between the SDK Manager and the specific hardware or host system configuration.

3. Flashing Target Mismatch: The user might be attempting to flash to an incorrect storage medium (e.g., NVMe instead of SD card).

4. Internet Connection Problems: The log indicates an internet connection failure, which could interrupt the flashing process or prevent necessary components from being downloaded.

5. Host System Configuration: Although the user confirmed using a native Ubuntu host PC, there might be system-specific issues affecting the flashing process.

6. Corrupted or Incompatible SD Card: The SD card used for flashing might be faulty or incompatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify USB Connection:

   • Ensure you’re using a high-quality USB cable.
   • Try different USB ports on your host PC.
   • Monitor for any "NVIDIA USB DEVICE WAS REMOVED" or "NVIDIA USB DEVICE WAS ADDED" messages during the process.

2. Check Internet Connection:

   • Verify that your host PC has a stable internet connection throughout the flashing process.
   • If using Wi-Fi, consider switching to a wired connection for stability.

3. Confirm Flashing Target:

   • Ensure you’re selecting the correct storage medium (SD card) in the SDK Manager settings.

4. Use Alternative Flashing Method:

   • If SDK Manager continues to fail, try using the command-line flashing method:

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

   • This command should be run from the Linux_for_Tegra directory after extracting the Jetson Linux package.

5. Check Serial Console Log:

   • Connect to the serial debug console to gather more information about boot failures.
   • Follow the instructions provided in the JetsonHacks guide for setting up the serial console.

6. Reflash SD Card:

   • If all else fails, try reflashing the SD card using a Windows PC, as this method has been reported to work.
   • Use the official NVIDIA SD Card Image method:
     1. Download the latest Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit SD Card Image.
     2. Use a tool like Etcher to flash the image onto the SD card.
     3. Insert the SD card into the Jetson Orin Nano and attempt to boot.

7. Update SDK Manager and Drivers:

   • Ensure you’re using the latest version of the SDK Manager.
   • Update all relevant drivers on your host PC, especially USB and network drivers.

8. Verify Host System Compatibility:

   • Confirm that your host PC meets all the requirements for using the SDK Manager with Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Consider trying the flashing process on a different host PC if possible.

9. Contact NVIDIA Support:

   • If the issue persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to NVIDIA developer support for further assistance.
   • Provide them with the full SDK Manager logs and any serial console output you’ve gathered.

Remember to document each step you take and the results, as this information can be crucial for troubleshooting persistent issues or when seeking further support.