How to Flash NVMe with Jetson Linux 36.3

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to flash Jetson Linux 36.3 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The primary symptoms include:

• Missing Directories and Scripts: Users have reported that the extracted filesystem for Jetson Linux 36.3 does not contain the expected tools directory or the apply_binaries.sh script, which were present in the previous version (36.2). Instead, it appears as a zipped filesystem without necessary components for installation.

• Errors During Flashing: When users attempt to run the apply_binaries.sh script, they encounter errors indicating that essential files, such as /etc/passwd, are missing from the root filesystem directory.

• Context of the Issue: The problem arises during the installation process, specifically when users try to re-install or flash the new version after successfully flashing version 36.2.

• Hardware and Software Specifications: The issue pertains specifically to the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board and involves using Jetson Linux versions 36.2 and 36.3.

• Frequency of Occurrence: This issue seems to be consistent among multiple users attempting to upgrade from version 36.2 to 36.3.

• Impact on User Experience: The inability to properly flash the new version significantly hampers users’ ability to utilize their development boards effectively, leading to frustration and delays in project timelines.

Possible Causes

The following potential causes have been identified for the issues experienced by users:

• Changes in Package Structure: The transition from Jetson Linux 36.2 to 36.3 may have altered how files and directories are organized within the package, leading to confusion about where necessary scripts and tools are located.

• Incomplete Extraction Process: Users may not be extracting all required components from the downloaded packages, particularly if they are only extracting the root filesystem archive instead of the entire BSP package.

• User Misconfiguration: Errors related to missing files may arise from incorrect extraction commands or failing to use sudo during extraction, which is necessary for proper permissions.

• Documentation Gaps: There may be insufficient guidance in the official documentation regarding changes between versions or specific steps needed for successful installation.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve these issues, users can follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Package Integrity:

   • Ensure that you have downloaded the complete Jetson Linux package (Jetson_Linux_R36.3.0_aarch64.tbz2) which includes all necessary components.

2. Extracting Files Correctly:

   • Use the following commands to extract both the L4T release package and the sample filesystem package:

     $ tar xf ${L4T_RELEASE_PACKAGE}
     $ sudo tar xpf ${SAMPLE_FS_PACKAGE} -C Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/
     

   • Make sure that you are executing these commands in a terminal with appropriate permissions (use sudo where necessary).

3. Running Apply Binaries Script:

   • After extracting, navigate to the directory and run:

     $ cd Linux_for_Tegra/
     $ sudo ./apply_binaries.sh
     

   • Ensure that you are in the correct directory where apply_binaries.sh is located.

4. Check for Missing Files:

   • If you encounter errors related to missing files (e.g., /etc/passwd), confirm that you have extracted all necessary components from both packages.
   • If files are still missing, re-download and extract the BSP package again.

5. Install Dependencies:

   • If you face resource-related issues with SDK Manager (e.g., needing high RAM), consider using a minimal Linux environment or command-line tools for flashing instead of relying on GUI tools.

6. Best Practices for Future Installations:

   • Always refer to the latest NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide for updated instructions on flashing and installation.
   • Keep your development environment updated and ensure that you have sufficient resources before starting installations.

7. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or NVIDIA support if issues persist after following these steps, as they may provide additional insights or solutions based on collective user experiences.

By following these steps, users should be able to successfully flash Jetson Linux 36.3 on their devices while avoiding common pitfalls encountered during this process.