Cannot Flash 4G Jetson Orin Nano Module

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the 4GB Jetson Orin Nano module, receiving error messages during the process. The specific error encountered is indicated in the logs as follows: "Top caller module: MSS, error module: MSS, reason: 0x12, aux_info: 0x01." The issue arises when users try to use the same commands that successfully flashed an 8GB module but fail for the 4GB variant. This problem occurs during the flashing process, particularly when using shell scripts designed for this purpose.

Hardware/Software Specifications:

• Modules: Jetson Orin Nano 4GB and 8GB
• JetPack Version: 35.4.1
• Flashing Commands Used:
  • sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml qskj-orin-nx-dev internal
  • sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh -S 118GiB --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p “-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml” --showlogs --network usb0 qskj-orin-nx-dev internal

The issue appears to be consistent across multiple attempts and users, significantly impacting the ability to utilize the 4GB module effectively.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects:

   • Differences in hardware architecture between the 4GB and 8GB modules may lead to incompatibility during flashing.

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts:

   • There may be unresolved bugs in the JetPack version being used that specifically affect the flashing process of the 4GB module.

3. Configuration Errors:

   • Incorrect command parameters or configurations in the flash scripts could prevent successful flashing.

4. Driver Issues:

   • Outdated or incompatible drivers on the host machine may lead to communication problems during the flashing process.

5. Environmental Factors:

   • Issues such as USB cable quality or power supply inconsistencies could impact the flashing success rate.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations:

   • Users may inadvertently use incorrect commands or configurations that are not suitable for the 4GB module.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions for Diagnosing the Problem

1. Verify Command Syntax:
   Ensure that the commands used for flashing are correctly formatted and appropriate for the specific module being flashed.

2. Check Hardware Connections:

   • Confirm that all physical connections are secure.
   • Use a different USB cable or port if issues persist.

3. Test with Different Configurations:

   • Attempt to flash using various configurations (e.g., using SD card vs. NVMe) to isolate potential issues related to specific setups.

Commands and Procedures

• To gather relevant system information, run:

lsusb

This will show connected USB devices and help verify if the Jetson device is recognized by the host system.

Recommended Fixes and Workarounds

1. Use Alternative Flashing Command:
   Instead of using flash.sh, try:

sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --flash-only --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p “-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml” --showlogs --network usb0 qskj-orin-nx-dev internal

This command has shown success for some users when flashing similar modules.

2. Update JetPack Version:
   If possible, upgrade to a newer version of JetPack that may contain bug fixes related to flashing issues.

3. Check Host System Requirements:
   Ensure that all necessary packages are installed on your host machine:

sudo apt-get install -y sshpass abootimg nfs-kernel-server libxml2-utils binutils qemu-user-static python python3

4. Disable Firewall Settings:
   Temporarily disable any firewall settings on your host machine that could interfere with USB communications:

sudo ufw disable

5. Contact Support for Hardware Issues:
   If all else fails, consider reaching out to NVIDIA support if you suspect hardware defects in your 4GB module.

Best Practices for Future Prevention

• Always ensure compatibility between JetPack versions and hardware modules before attempting to flash.
• Regularly check for updates from NVIDIA regarding known issues and fixes related to flashing procedures.
• Maintain a backup of working configurations and scripts used during successful flashing attempts for future reference.

Unresolved Aspects

Some users have reported that even after following all recommended troubleshooting steps, they continue to encounter similar errors without resolution. Further investigation into potential firmware updates or deeper hardware diagnostics may be necessary in these cases.