Flashing OS of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to flash the operating system on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, particularly when using Ubuntu 18.04 firmware. The primary symptoms include:

• The device becomes undetected during the flashing process, despite a stable USB connection.
• The issue arises specifically during the flashing step, leading to confusion as users had successfully completed this process in the past.

The hardware involved includes the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board and various storage devices such as SD cards and NVMe drives. Users have reported that this problem occurs inconsistently, with some users successfully flashing their devices while others face repeated failures.

The impact of this issue is significant, as it prevents users from installing or upgrading the operating system, thereby hindering their ability to utilize the development board effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the issue have been identified:

• Virtual Machine (VM) Configuration: The VM may not be properly configured to handle USB disconnects and reconnects that occur during the flashing process. This can lead to the device becoming undetected.

• Drive Formatting: Users may need to format their drives before use, especially if they are new or previously used with different configurations.

• Image Compatibility: Using an incompatible or outdated image version for the Orin Nano could lead to issues. Some models may require specific firmware versions, such as R35.3.1.

• Flashing Method: Incorrect methods for flashing, such as merely copying files instead of using proper imaging tools like dd or Balena Etcher, can result in improper installations.

• Partitioning Issues: If users are attempting to flash an NVMe drive without proper partitioning and formatting, it may not recognize the filesystem correctly.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating during the flashing process could also contribute to device detection problems.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issues encountered while flashing the OS on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify USB Connection:

   • Ensure that the USB connection is stable and recognized by running:

     lsusb
     

   • Confirm that the device appears in the list.

2. Check VM Configuration:

   • If using a VM, consult with your VM vendor on how to maintain USB connectivity during disconnections.
   • For WSL2 users, ensure that loopback functionality is correctly configured if image creation is required.

3. Format Drives:

   • If using a new drive, format it before use:
     • On Linux:

       mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX  # Replace sdX with your drive identifier
       

     • On Windows, use Disk Management to format the drive as NTFS or FAT32.

4. Use Proper Imaging Tools:

   • For flashing images onto SD cards or NVMe drives, utilize tools like Balena Etcher or dd.
   • Example command using dd (Linux):

     sudo dd if=/path/to/image.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
     

   • Ensure that you replace /dev/sdX with your target device identifier.

5. Partitioning NVMe Drives:

   • Before flashing an image onto an NVMe drive, create a partition that matches the size of your SD card partition:

     sudo fdisk /dev/nvme0n1  # Replace with your NVMe identifier
     

   • Create a new partition and ensure it is formatted correctly.

6. Flashing QSPI Memory:

   • For certain models, ensure that QSPI memory is flashed at least once if using SD card models.
   • This process may require additional tools or documentation specific to your Jetson model.

7. Test Different Configurations:

   • If issues persist, try different configurations by testing with another USB cable or port.
   • Consider using a different computer or operating system environment for flashing.

8. Backup and Clone SD Card:

   • Before making changes to your setup, clone your existing SD card for safety:

     sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=/path/to/backup.img bs=4M status=progress
     

9. Consult Documentation and Updates:

   • Regularly check for firmware updates and documentation from Nvidia regarding your specific Jetson model.
   • Ensure you are using compatible software versions for your development environment.

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