Error with QSPI Flashing on Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an error when attempting to flash a custom Jetpack 6 (r363) image to the Jetson Orin Nano board using an NVMe SSD and USB Type-C cable. The error occurs specifically when trying to disable or modularize device drivers to optimize boot time using the xconfig tool (make ARCH=arm64 xconfig). The error message indicates a problem related to QSPI flashing, suggesting that the specified partition size in the configuration file is larger than the actual memory size available.

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect partition layout configuration: The partition layout file may specify a larger size than the actual available memory on the device.

2. Incompatibility between custom kernel configuration and QSPI flashing process: Disabling or modularizing certain device drivers might interfere with the QSPI flashing procedure.

3. Insufficient storage space: Although unlikely with a 250 GB SSD, there could be issues with how the storage is partitioned or recognized during the flashing process.

4. Firmware or bootloader incompatibility: The custom Jetpack 6 image might have conflicts with the current firmware or bootloader versions on the Jetson Orin Nano.

5. USB connection issues: Problems with the USB Type-C connection could potentially interfere with the flashing process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Review partition layout configuration:

   • Check the Linux_for_Tegra/tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml file for any discrepancies in partition sizes.
   • Ensure that the num_sectors field is appropriate for your storage device size.

2. Adjust kernel configuration:

   • Gradually re-enable drivers that were disabled in the xconfig process to identify which specific driver(s) might be causing the issue.
   • Create a minimal custom configuration that only disables non-essential drivers to see if the problem persists.

3. Verify storage recognition:

   • Ensure that the 250 GB SSD is properly recognized by the system before flashing.
   • Check if the SSD is properly formatted and partitioned.

4. Update firmware and bootloader:

   • Ensure you have the latest firmware and bootloader versions compatible with Jetpack 6 (r363).
   • If necessary, revert to a known working version to isolate the issue.

5. Try alternative flashing methods:

   • Instead of using USB Type-C, attempt to flash using other available methods (e.g., SD card if supported).
   • Use the following command as a template, adjusting parameters as needed:

     sudo BOARDID=3701 BOARDSKU=0000 FAB=TS4 ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -S <appropriate_size> --external-device sda1 --direct sdb jetson-agx-orin-devkit external
     

   • Replace <appropriate_size> with a value smaller than your SSD size, e.g., 230GiB.

6. Analyze debug logs:

   • Locate and examine the debug log file at /tmp/tmp-vR5MOSkYPf.
   • Look for specific error messages or warnings that might provide more insight into the QSPI flashing failure.

7. Check USB connection:

   • Try using a different USB Type-C cable to rule out cable-related issues.
   • Ensure the USB port on your host machine is functioning correctly.

8. Consult NVIDIA documentation:

   • Review the latest Jetson Orin Nano documentation for any known issues or specific requirements for custom Jetpack flashing.

9. Seek community support:

   • If the issue persists, consider posting the contents of the debug log file in the NVIDIA Developer Forums for more specialized assistance.

Remember to back up any important data before attempting these solutions, as flashing operations can potentially erase existing data on the device.