Custom Kernel Image Boot Failed

Issue Overview

The issue discussed in the forum revolves around the failure of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board to boot after recompiling and replacing the kernel image. Users reported that after flashing the system via USB and executing the kernel flash command, the system boots normally from an NVMe SSD. However, upon recompiling the kernel without modifying any code and copying the new image to /boot/Image, rebooting results in a boot failure. The specific symptoms include:

• The system fails to boot after rebooting with the custom kernel image.
• Users confirmed that their /boot/extlinux.conf points to the correct image.
• The boot configuration is set to use Nvidia’s extlinux bootloader.
• Some users have experienced issues related to using incorrect device tree source (DTS) versions, which can lead to incompatibility with the kernel version.

This problem occurs consistently after users attempt to run their drivers with a newly compiled kernel, impacting their ability to utilize the board for development purposes.

Possible Causes

1. Kernel Incompatibility: Using an incompatible device tree source (DTS) version can lead to boot failures when it does not match the kernel version.
2. Configuration Errors: Errors in the configuration files, such as extlinux.conf, could prevent proper loading of the new kernel image.
3. Driver Issues: Custom drivers may not be compatible with the new kernel, leading to system instability or failure during boot.
4. Flashing Errors: If there were issues during the flashing process, such as incomplete or corrupted files, this could result in a non-bootable system.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could cause instability during boot processes.
6. User Misconfigurations: Incorrect commands or procedures during kernel recompilation and installation could lead to failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Kernel and DTS Compatibility:

   • Ensure that you are using a DTS that matches your kernel version. For instance, if you compiled with r35.5.0, ensure that you are not using r35.3.1 DTS files.

2. Check Configuration Files:

   • Confirm that /boot/extlinux.conf correctly points to your new kernel image:

     cat /boot/extlinux.conf
     

   • Make sure it references /boot/Image correctly.

3. Recompile Kernel with Correct Parameters:

   • If necessary, recompile your kernel ensuring that all parameters are correctly set for your specific hardware configuration.

4. Use Serial Debugging:

   • Utilize a serial debug console for detailed logs during boot:
     • Connect appropriate pins (e.g., pins 9 and 10) for serial output.
     • Monitor output during boot to identify where it fails.

5. Re-flash Using SDK Manager:

   • If issues persist, consider re-flashing the device using SDK Manager:

     sudo sdkmanager --flash
     

   • Ensure your board is in recovery mode before flashing.

6. Check Power Supply:

   • Verify that your power supply is adequate and stable during operation.

7. Test Different Configurations:

   • Try using different configurations or revert back to a known working kernel version if available.

8. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any updates or patches related to your issue.
   • Engage with community forums for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.

9. Log Analysis:

   • Collect logs from SDK Manager if errors occur during flashing:

     sdkmanager --export-logs
     

   • Analyze logs for any specific error messages that can guide further troubleshooting.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Always back up existing configurations before making changes.
    • Document changes made during development for easier troubleshooting in future instances.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve boot issues related to custom kernel images on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.