Cannot Flash Orin Nano, Failed to Expose SSH

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The flashing process hangs during bootloader startup, displaying repeated messages indicating that the system is "waiting for target to boot-up." Additionally, there are errors related to SSH exposure and device recognition, specifically noting failures to access devices like /dev/nvme0n1. This issue has been encountered consistently, impacting the ability to set up and utilize the Jetson Orin Nano effectively.

Relevant Hardware and Software Specifications

• Device: Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit
• BSP Version: L4T 35.5.0
• Flashing Method: Using l4t_initrd_flash.sh script with specified parameters for mass flashing.

Symptoms

• Repeated messages during the flashing process: "Waiting for target to boot-up…"
• Errors stating: "RTNETLINK answers: File exists" and "Error: Could not stat device /dev/nvme0n1 – No such file or directory."
• The system fails to expose SSH after attempting to flash.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible Firmware or Configuration: The specified firmware file or configuration settings may not be compatible with the current setup, leading to initialization failures.
2. Incorrect Device Connections: The NVMe drive may not be properly connected or recognized by the system.
3. Insufficient Power Supply: Power supply issues could prevent the device from booting correctly.
4. Driver or Kernel Issues: There could be bugs or conflicts in the drivers or kernel version being used that affect device recognition and flashing.
5. Flashing Procedure Errors: The commands used during the flashing process might be incorrect or incomplete.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Verify Device Connections:

   • Ensure that all connections are secure, particularly for the NVMe drive and any USB connections used for flashing.

2. Check Power Supply:

   • Confirm that the power supply meets the requirements for the Jetson Orin Nano, providing adequate voltage and current.

3. Review Flashing Commands:

   • Double-check the commands used for flashing to ensure they follow NVIDIA’s guidelines:

     sudo BOARDID=3767 BOARDSKU=0003 ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --no-flash --external-device nvme0n1p1 ...
     

4. Use Manual Flashing Method:

   • If using SDK Manager fails, try manual flashing with:

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

5. Check USB Device Recognition:

   • After connecting the board in recovery mode, run:

     lsusb -d '0955:'
     

   • This checks if the Jetson device is recognized by your host PC.

6. Inspect Kernel Logs:

   • Use dmesg to check for any relevant logs that might indicate what went wrong during the boot process:

     dmesg | grep -i error
     

7. Reboot and Retry Flashing:

   • If previous attempts fail, reboot your host machine and retry the flashing process after ensuring all configurations are correct.

8. Consult Documentation and Community Resources:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation on flashing procedures and troubleshooting steps related to firmware issues.

Recommended Fixes

• Users have reported success by ensuring proper connections and using manual flashing commands when SDK Manager fails.
• It is advisable to check compatibility of firmware files before proceeding with flashing.

Best Practices for Future Prevention

• Always verify that you are using compatible firmware files for your specific hardware configuration before attempting a flash.
• Keep a detailed log of all steps taken during flashing processes for future reference.
• Regularly check NVIDIA forums and documentation for updates regarding known issues with specific L4T versions.

Unresolved Aspects and Further Investigation

• Users continue to seek clarity on whether specific configurations can be reliably used across different generations of Jetson hardware.
• There may be additional debugging steps required for users who encounter similar issues after following these recommendations.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users can effectively address issues related to flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit while ensuring compatibility with their custom hardware configurations.