Error Flashing Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit: Return Value 4

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit using an SD card. The specific error encountered is "Error: Return value 4" during the flashing process. This issue occurs when using the NVIDIA Jetson Linux 35.4.1 on a host PC running Ubuntu 22. The problem appears to be related to the flashing process and potentially to modifications made to the EEPROM configuration.

Possible Causes

1. EEPROM Configuration Modification: The user modified the cvb_eeprom_read_size value in the configuration file, which may have led to compatibility issues with the dev kit.

2. Incorrect Flashing Command: The initial flashing command used might not be suitable for the specific hardware configuration.

3. Hardware Incompatibility: The user’s intention to use the Orin Nano in a custom carrier board without EEPROM may be causing conflicts during the flashing process.

4. Software or Driver Issues: There could be underlying issues with the NVIDIA Jetson Linux package or drivers used for flashing.

5. SD Card Problems: The 32GB SD card used for flashing might be faulty or incompatible.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use the Correct Flashing Method:
   Instead of modifying the EEPROM configuration, try using the initrd flash tool as suggested in the forum:

   sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device mmcblk1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
   

   This command should be executed from the Linux_for_Tegra directory.

2. Restore Original EEPROM Configuration:
   If you’ve modified the cvb_eeprom_read_size, revert it to its original value:

   nano ./bootloader/t186ref/BCT/tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts
   

   Change cvb_eeprom_read_size = <0x0> back to cvb_eeprom_read_size = <0x100>.

3. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure that the Orin Nano is properly seated in the carrier board.
   • Check all connections, including power supply and USB connections.
   • Try using a different SD card to rule out storage-related issues.

4. Update Flashing Tools and Drivers:

   • Ensure you have the latest version of the NVIDIA Jetson Linux package.
   • Update the host PC’s USB drivers and ensure it recognizes the Jetson device correctly.

5. Check for USB Recovery Mode:
   Verify that the Jetson device is in USB recovery mode before flashing. You should see the device listed when running:

   lsusb
   

   Look for an entry like: Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0955:7523 NVIDIA Corp. APX.

6. Alternative Flashing Method:
   If the initrd flash tool doesn’t work, try the standard flashing method:

   sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
   

   This command assumes you’re flashing to the SD card (mmcblk0p1).

7. Custom Carrier Board Considerations:
   If you plan to use the Orin Nano in a custom carrier board without EEPROM:

   • Flash the device on the original carrier board first.
   • After successful flashing, you can modify the cvb_eeprom_read_size value for use with your custom board.

8. Analyze Debug Logs:
   If the issue persists, carefully review the flash and debug logs for any specific error messages or warnings that might provide additional clues about the root cause.

9. Seek Official Support:
   If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consider reaching out to NVIDIA’s official support channels or community forums for more specialized assistance.

Remember to always back up any important data before attempting to flash or modify your Jetson device. If you’re using the device for development purposes, it’s advisable to have a spare SD card or recovery method available in case of flashing failures.