Flashing Problems with Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The primary symptoms include a variety of error messages during the flashing process, with some users reporting issues specifically when using Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04 as the host operating system. The problems manifest during the setup phase, particularly when trying to flash the device and get it to boot properly. Users have reported that they cannot get the DevKit to run, despite following the official instructions and using the appropriate software versions.

The issue appears to be consistent across multiple attempts and configurations, indicating a potential underlying problem with either the hardware or the flashing process itself. Users have noted that they are using different versions of JetPack (e.g., 5.12 and 6.0) but still encounter failures. The impact on user experience is significant, as many are unable to utilize their new hardware for development purposes.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be issues with the physical board itself or incompatibilities with certain USB cables or ports.
• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Users have reported errors related to USB timeouts and NFS mount failures, suggesting potential bugs in the flashing software.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect commands or parameters used during the flashing process can lead to failures.
• Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers on the host machine may prevent successful communication with the Jetson device.
• Environmental Factors: Firewalls or network configurations on the host PC may block necessary communications during flashing.
• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Some users may not be following the correct procedures or using the appropriate versions of software.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify System Requirements:

   • Ensure that you are using a compatible version of Ubuntu (preferably 20.04) and that all necessary packages are installed:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get install -y sshpass abootimg nfs-kernel-server libxml2-utils binutils qemu-user-static python
     

2. Check Flash Command:

   • Ensure you are using the correct flash command:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

3. Set Device in Recovery Mode:

   • Connect your Jetson Orin Nano to your host PC via USB and set it into recovery mode by connecting a jumper between FC-REC pin and GND while powering on.

4. Use Alternative Flashing Methods:

   • If using SDK Manager fails, try flashing via command line directly from Linux_for_Tegra directory:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device <device-type> jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

5. Test Different USB Cables/Ports:

   • Users have reported success when changing USB cables or using different USB ports on their host PC.

6. Disable Firewall Temporarily:

   • If you suspect firewall issues, temporarily disable any active firewalls (e.g., UFW) on your host machine:

     sudo ufw disable
     

7. Check UART Logs for Errors:

   • Dump UART console logs during flash failure to identify specific error messages that can guide further troubleshooting.

8. Reinstall JetPack SDK:

   • If problems persist, consider reinstalling the JetPack SDK to ensure all components are correctly set up.

9. Consult Official Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips: Nvidia Developer Guide.

10. Community Support:

    • Engage with community forums for additional insights and solutions from other users who may have faced similar issues.

Recommended Approach

Many users have found success by running the command line flash script directly after ensuring all prerequisites are met and after attempting GUI-based flashing methods that failed.

Unresolved Aspects

Some users continue to face issues even after following these steps, indicating potential deeper hardware problems or unaddressed software bugs that may require further investigation by Nvidia support teams or community forums.