Failed to flash Jetson ORIN NANO 8GM with SDK Manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the Jetson Orin Nano 8GB Developer Kit using the SDK Manager. The symptoms include an "INSTALLATION FAILED" prompt during the installation process, and various error messages in the terminal indicating issues with package repositories and missing files. The problem occurs during the setup process, specifically when trying to install JetPack 5.1.1 (REV.1) on an Ubuntu 20.04 virtual machine. Users have reported that this issue is consistent across multiple attempts, significantly impacting their ability to utilize the device effectively.

Key error messages include:

• "404 Not Found" for certain package repositories.
• "The repository does not have a Release file."
• "ERROR qemu not found! To install – please run: ‘sudo apt-get install qemu-user-static’."
• "FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: ‘dtc’."

These errors suggest problems with repository access and missing dependencies, which hinder the installation process.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Issues may arise if the hardware components, like the NVMe SSD, are not compatible or functioning properly.
2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: The SDK Manager or JetPack version may contain bugs that lead to installation failures.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the SDK Manager or misconfigured connections may prevent successful flashing.
4. Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers on the host PC can lead to detection problems and installation errors.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature fluctuations could affect board operation during flashing.
6. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrectly following setup instructions can lead to issues such as improper pin connections for recovery mode.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that the FC REC pin and GND pin are correctly connected as per the documentation.
   • Check that the power supply is stable and meets the board’s requirements.

2. Check Host PC Configuration:

   • Ensure that your host PC runs a supported version of Ubuntu (preferably Ubuntu 20.04).
   • Update your system packages using:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get upgrade
     

3. Install Missing Dependencies:

   • If prompted with missing dependencies like qemu, install them using:

     sudo apt-get install qemu-user-static
     

4. Resolve Repository Issues:

   • Edit your /etc/apt/sources.list file to remove or comment out any problematic repositories (e.g., ppa.launchpad.net/taylorcholberton/tinyalsa/ubuntu).
   • Run:

     sudo apt-get update
     

5. Use SDK Manager Correctly:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of SDK Manager.
   • Follow these steps for flashing:
     • Start SDK Manager and select JetPack 5.1.1 (REV.1).
     • Make sure your board is in recovery mode before starting the flashing process.

6. Run Commands for System Information:

   • Gather relevant logs using:

     sdkmanager --export-logs
     

   • Review logs for any additional error messages that might provide insight into installation failures.

7. Testing Different Configurations:

   • If problems persist, try using a different USB port or cable for connecting the Jetson board to your host PC.
   • Consider testing with a different host machine if available.

8. Re-flash Using Alternative Methods:

   • If SDK Manager continues to fail, consider using command-line tools for flashing as an alternative approach.

9. Refer to Documentation and Community Resources:

   • Check NVIDIA’s official documentation for any updates related to flashing procedures.
   • Engage with community forums for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Regularly update both your host system and JetPack versions.
    • Maintain backups of working configurations and logs for quick recovery in case of future issues.

By following these steps, users can systematically identify and resolve issues related to flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, ensuring a smoother development experience moving forward.