Failing to Flash to Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit using SDK Manager and Oracle VM

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB Developer Kit using the SDK Manager in a virtual machine (VM) environment, specifically Oracle VM. The symptoms include:

• Inability to complete the flashing process successfully, with logs indicating various errors.
• Users have reported that the SDK Manager does not function properly within the VM, which is not officially supported.
• During the flashing process, users noted a new prompt for creating a username and password that was absent in prior attempts, possibly linked to an increase in VM RAM from 4GB to 16GB.
• Some users experience extreme slowness in system performance, particularly when using applications like Firefox, suggesting potential hardware limitations, such as slow SD card speeds.
• Boot issues have been reported where the system hangs at the NVIDIA splash screen.

The issue primarily occurs during setup and flashing processes, with users relying on a VM due to a lack of access to a native Linux machine. The impact includes frustration over installation failures and degraded performance when using alternative boot methods like microSD cards.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Running SDK Manager on a VM may lead to compatibility issues that hinder proper flashing.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The SDK Manager may have unresolved bugs that affect its operation in virtual environments.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process or misconfiguration in the VM could lead to failures.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could prevent successful communication between the host and the Jetson device.

• Environmental Factors: Insufficient resources allocated to the VM (e.g., RAM) can lead to performance bottlenecks.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: New users might inadvertently misconfigure settings during installation or flashing processes.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify System Requirements:

   • Ensure that your host machine meets the minimum requirements for running SDK Manager and has adequate resources allocated (preferably a native Ubuntu 20.04 installation).

2. Use Native Ubuntu Installation:

   • If possible, switch from using Oracle VM to a native Ubuntu 20.04 installation for better compatibility with SDK Manager.

3. Flashing Process Adjustments:

   • Ensure that you are correctly placing the jumper between “FC REC” and GND before starting the flashing process.
   • Follow these steps closely:
     • Open SDK Manager with your Jetson device connected and in forced recovery mode.
     • Complete steps 1 and 2 of the setup.
     • After downloading finishes, remove the jumper and select “Manual” mode with appropriate settings (OEM configuration and NVMe as storage).

4. Monitor System Performance:

   • Use tools like htop or jtop to monitor CPU usage. If usage is consistently below 50%, consider upgrading your storage solution.
   • Check logs with dmesg --follow for real-time error reporting during boot.

5. Test with Different Storage Options:

   • If experiencing slowness, consider using a faster microSD card (UHS-3 recommended) or ensure that your NVMe SSD is properly configured as the boot device.
   • For SSD booting issues, consider copying root filesystem from an SD card image after successfully booting from it.

6. Boot Issues Resolution:

   • For persistent boot problems, obtain serial console logs for detailed boot information that may reveal underlying issues not visible on screen.

7. Documentation and Resources:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official guides for flashing procedures and troubleshooting tips specific to Jetson devices.
   • Consider community resources like JetsonHacks for practical advice on SSD installations and configurations.

8. Future Prevention Practices:

   • Regularly update software and drivers related to your Jetson device.
   • Maintain backups of configurations and logs for easier troubleshooting in future attempts.

By following these steps, users can effectively diagnose and resolve issues related to flashing their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit while minimizing disruption to their development workflow.