Error flashing Orin Nano devkit 8 GB w/ 500 GB NVME gen 3 SSD

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties when attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically with an 8 GB model paired with a 500 GB NVMe Gen 3 SSD. The primary symptoms include error messages during the flashing process, which occur after reverting to an earlier version of the SDK Manager (2.0.1) following issues with the updated version (2.1). The problem arises on a host system running Ubuntu 20.04, and it appears that users have successfully flashed the device in the past, indicating that this issue is likely related to recent changes in the host environment or configurations.

The errors manifest consistently when users attempt to reflash the device, suggesting a recurring issue rather than an isolated incident. The impact of this problem significantly hampers user experience, as it prevents successful installation of JetPack 6.0 DP on the Orin Nano.

Possible Causes

• USB Autosuspend Function:

  • This feature is enabled by default on Ubuntu 20.04 and can cause the Jetson device to enter a suspended state before flashing, leading to errors.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts:

  • Issues may arise from conflicts between SDK Manager versions or incompatibilities with the host OS.

• Configuration Errors:

  • Incorrect settings or parameters in the SDK Manager can lead to flashing failures.

• Driver Issues:

  • Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent proper communication between the host and the Jetson device.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations:

  • Improper setup or execution of commands during the flashing process can result in errors.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Disable USB Autosuspend:

   • Open a terminal and execute the following commands:

     sudo -s
     echo -1 > /sys/module/usbcore/parameters/autosuspend
     

   • This command disables USB autosuspend, which is known to interfere with the flashing process.

2. Reconnect Device:

   • After disabling autosuspend, unplug the USB cable from the Jetson device.
   • Manually set the device to recovery mode again.
   • Reconnect the USB cable to initiate the flashing process.

3. Check for Software Updates:

   • Ensure that you are using compatible versions of both Ubuntu and SDK Manager.
   • If using SDK Manager 2.1 leads to issues, consider reverting to version 2.0.1 as a temporary solution while troubleshooting.

4. Verify Driver Installation:

   • Ensure that all necessary drivers for your Jetson device are installed and up-to-date.
   • You can check for driver updates through your package manager or Nvidia’s website.

5. Gather System Logs:

   • If problems persist, collect logs for further analysis:

     cat sdkm-2024-04-07-19-06-24.log
     

   • Share these logs in forums for additional support if needed.

6. Testing Different Host Configurations:

   • If possible, try using a different host system or a different version of Ubuntu (e.g., Ubuntu 22) to see if the issue persists.
   • This can help isolate whether the problem is specific to your current setup.

7. Seek Community Support:

   • If you continue facing issues after trying these steps, consider posting detailed information about your problem on relevant forums for community assistance.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Regularly check for updates related to both your operating system and SDK Manager.
   • Document any changes made to your system configuration that could affect device performance or connectivity.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to resolve issues related to flashing their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board effectively.