Drivers not available (N/A) with “nvidia-smi” command after flashing Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users have reported an issue where the nvidia-smi command returns "N/A" for the driver version and GPU ID after flashing the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano using SDK Manager 2.1.0.11682. This problem occurs immediately after the flashing process, which is intended to set up the development environment for the Jetson Orin Nano.

The symptoms include:

• The output of the nvidia-smi command shows "N/A" for driver version and GPU ID.
• Users expect to see specific driver information related to their integrated GPU (iGPU) but instead find it unavailable.

This issue seems to be consistent among users who have recently flashed their devices, leading to confusion regarding whether the installation was successful or if there is a deeper underlying problem. The impact on user experience is significant, as it raises concerns about the functionality and readiness of the development board for further applications.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes can lead to this issue:

• Integrated Driver Architecture: The Nvidia Jetson Orin series has its GPU drivers integrated into the operating system, which may result in the nvidia-smi command returning "N/A" instead of specific driver details.

• Flashing Process: If there were any interruptions or errors during the flashing process using SDK Manager, it could lead to incomplete installation of necessary drivers.

• Software Version Compatibility: Incompatibilities between the SDK Manager version used and the Jetson Orin Nano hardware could cause issues in driver detection.

• User Misunderstanding: Users may not be aware that this behavior is normal for the Orin series, leading to unnecessary troubleshooting efforts.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address this issue, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and potential solutions:

1. Verify Integrated Driver Status:

   • Understand that for the Orin series, it is expected behavior for nvidia-smi to show "N/A". This indicates that the drivers are integrated into the OS rather than being separately installed.

2. Check SDK Manager Logs:

   • Review logs from SDK Manager during the flashing process for any errors or warnings that might indicate a problem.
   • Logs can typically be found in the SDK Manager installation directory.

3. Confirm Flashing Completion:

   • Ensure that the flashing process completed successfully without any interruptions.
   • Re-flash if necessary, ensuring a stable power supply and connection throughout the process.

4. Update SDK Manager:

   • Check for updates to SDK Manager and ensure you are using a version compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Download and install any available updates.

5. Test with Different Commands:

   • Instead of nvidia-smi, try other commands such as jetson_clocks or tegrastats to verify GPU functionality.
   • Example command:

     sudo jetson_clocks
     

6. Consult Documentation:

   • Review Nvidia’s official documentation regarding driver support and usage for Jetson devices, particularly focusing on integrated GPUs.
   • Look for any notes specific to the Orin series.

7. Community Support:

   • If issues persist or further clarification is needed, consider reaching out on forums or community support channels dedicated to Nvidia Jetson products.

8. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure that your development environment is up-to-date with the latest software versions.
   • Regularly check Nvidia’s website for firmware updates or patches that could resolve similar issues in future setups.

By following these steps, users can better understand their device’s status and ensure proper functionality moving forward.