Can’t install OpenCV on Jetson Orin, grub-common broken

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues while attempting to install OpenCV from source on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically encountering errors related to the grub-common package. The primary symptoms include unmet dependencies when running installation commands, notably when executing sudo apt install grub-common, which results in an error indicating that the package cannot be unpacked due to a corrupted file structure. This issue occurs during the installation of necessary dependencies for OpenCV and affects the ability to run any apt install command, creating a loop where users cannot resolve the broken package state.

The context of the problem is within the JetPack 5.1.1 environment on Ubuntu 20.04 L4T release. The issue appears to be consistent, as multiple users report similar experiences, leading to significant frustration and hindering their ability to develop applications using OpenCV on the Jetson platform.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects:

   • Corrupted SD card or filesystem issues could lead to installation failures, as indicated by the error "Structure needs cleaning."

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts:

   • The grub-common package may have bugs or conflicts with other installed packages, preventing proper installation.

3. Configuration Errors:

   • Incorrect configurations during initial setup or updates may lead to dependency issues.

4. Driver Issues:

   • Outdated or incompatible drivers could interfere with package installations.

5. Environmental Factors:

   • Power supply issues or overheating could affect system stability during installations.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations:

   • Users might inadvertently create conflicts by attempting to install multiple packages simultaneously without resolving existing issues first.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Fix Broken Packages:

   • Run the command:

     sudo apt --fix-broken install
     

   • This command attempts to correct broken dependencies automatically.

2. Reinstall grub-common:

   • If prompted with errors regarding grub-common, try reinstalling it directly:

     sudo apt install --reinstall grub-common
     

3. Check Disk Integrity:

   • If filesystem corruption is suspected, remove the SD card from the Jetson Orin Nano and run a filesystem check (fsck) on another Linux machine:

     sudo fsck /dev/sdX
     

   • Replace /dev/sdX with the appropriate device identifier for your SD card.

4. Clear Package Cache:

   • Clear out any cached packages that might be causing issues:

     sudo apt clean
     

5. Remove Unused Packages:

   • Use autoremove to clean up unnecessary packages that may conflict:

     sudo apt autoremove
     

6. Manual Installation of Dependencies:

   • If specific dependencies are causing issues, try installing them individually to identify problematic packages.

7. Update System Packages:

   • Ensure all packages are up-to-date before attempting installations again:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
     

8. Consult Documentation and Forums:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any specific instructions related to OpenCV installation on Jetson devices.
   • Engage with community forums for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences.

9. Recommended Approach:

   • One user reported success after running fsck on another computer and rebooting the Orin Nano, which allowed them to install grub-common successfully.

10. Unresolved Aspects:

    • Users should monitor ongoing discussions in forums for updates or patches related to this issue, as software updates may address underlying problems with package management on Jetson devices.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve the installation issues they face with OpenCV on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.