Customizing UEFI Display Resolution for 600×1024 Screen on Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development board are experiencing display issues when connecting a custom 600×1024 resolution screen to their self-developed motherboard. The problem specifically occurs during the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and kernel boot stages, where the screen does not display properly. However, the display functions normally once the system reaches the desktop environment. This issue impacts the ability to view and interact with the system during crucial boot processes, potentially hindering troubleshooting and system configuration tasks.

Possible Causes

1. UEFI Configuration Limitations: The default UEFI settings may not support the non-standard 600×1024 resolution, causing display issues during early boot stages.

2. Kernel Boot Parameters: The Linux kernel may not be properly configured to support the custom resolution during the boot process.

3. Graphics Driver Initialization: The graphics drivers responsible for managing the display may not be fully initialized until later in the boot process, causing early-stage display issues.

4. Hardware Compatibility: The custom motherboard design may have compatibility issues with the UEFI firmware or early boot processes of the Jetson Orin Nano.

5. Timing and Synchronization: The unusual aspect ratio of the 600×1024 screen may cause timing or synchronization issues during the UEFI and kernel stages.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Update UEFI Firmware:

   • Check for the latest UEFI firmware updates for the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Apply any available updates following NVIDIA’s official documentation.

2. Modify UEFI Configuration:

   • Access the UEFI configuration interface (if available) during boot.
   • Look for options related to display output or graphics configuration.
   • Try setting a custom resolution or changing the display mode to support 600×1024.

3. Adjust Kernel Boot Parameters:

   • Edit the kernel boot parameters to include a video mode that supports 600×1024.
   • Add the following parameter to the kernel command line:

     video=600x1024
     

   • If using GRUB, edit the /boot/grub/grub.cfg file to include this parameter.

4. Create a Custom EDID:

   • Generate a custom Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) file for the 600×1024 screen.
   • Use tools like edid-generator or create_edid to create the EDID file.
   • Add the custom EDID to the kernel boot parameters:

     drm.edid_firmware=edid/custom_600x1024.bin
     

5. Modify Kernel Source:

   • If the above steps don’t work, you may need to modify the kernel source to add support for the custom resolution.
   • Look for files related to display configuration in the Jetson Orin Nano kernel source.
   • Add the 600×1024 mode to the supported resolutions list.
   • Recompile the kernel with the modifications.

6. Check Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure all display connections are secure and properly seated.
   • Try different display interfaces if available (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort).

7. Test with Different Screens:

   • Connect a standard resolution screen to isolate whether the issue is specific to the 600×1024 display.

8. Consult NVIDIA Developer Forums:

   • Search for similar issues in the NVIDIA Developer Forums.
   • Post a detailed description of your setup and the steps you’ve tried if no solution is found.

9. Consider Alternative Boot Methods:

   • If UEFI display issues persist, consider using a serial console for early boot stage interactions.
   • Set up a serial connection and configure the bootloader to output to the serial console.

10. Custom UEFI Development:

    • As a last resort, you may need to develop a custom UEFI implementation that supports your specific hardware configuration.
    • This is an advanced solution and requires significant expertise in UEFI development.

Remember to document any changes made during the troubleshooting process. If you find a working solution, consider sharing it on the NVIDIA Developer Forums to help others with similar custom display configurations.