Flashing the Jetson Orin Nano SSD Using SDK Manager Fails at 83%

Issue Overview

Users have reported encountering issues while attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the SDK Manager, specifically facing an error that consistently occurs at 83% completion. The symptoms include multiple error messages indicating problems with reading the RCM state, skipping memory BCT generation due to undefined SDRAM configuration, and issues with gzip files not being in the correct format.

The errors are logged during the flashing process, which is typically executed after setting up the development environment. Users have also noted that they attempted various solutions, such as changing cables, but the problem persisted. The issue appears to be frequent among users who are setting up their devices or updating software.

The specific error logs include:

• ERROR: failed to read rcm_state
• Error: Skip generating mem_bct because sdram_config is not defined
• gzip: ... not in gzip format
• python: command not found

These errors indicate potential software or configuration issues that significantly impact user experience, preventing successful flashing and setup of the device.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Faulty hardware components can lead to read/write errors during the flashing process.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Incompatibilities between SDK Manager versions and JetPack versions may cause failures.

• Configuration Errors: Missing or incorrect configuration settings related to SDRAM may prevent proper memory initialization.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or missing drivers could result in communication failures between the host PC and the Jetson device.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as power supply instability or overheating can disrupt the flashing process.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect setups on the host machine, such as firewall settings blocking necessary communications, can lead to failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check SDK Manager Logs:

   • Use the export feature in SDK Manager to download logs for detailed error analysis.
   • Command: SDK Manager > Export Logs

2. Verify Required Packages:

   • Ensure that necessary packages like nfs-common and nfs-kernel-server are installed on your host machine.
   • Commands:

     apt list --installed | grep nfs-common
     apt list --installed | grep nfs-kernel-server
     

3. Firewall Settings:

   • Check if the firewall is enabled on your host machine. If it is, disable it temporarily to see if this resolves the issue.
   • Command to disable firewall (on Ubuntu):

     sudo ufw disable
     

4. Check Cable Connections:

   • Ensure that all USB cables are properly connected and functional. Consider trying different cables and ports.

5. Update SDK Manager and JetPack:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of SDK Manager and JetPack compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano.

6. Inspect Configuration Files:

   • Review any configuration files for SDRAM settings and ensure they are correctly defined.

7. Reinstall Python:

   • The error indicating "python: command not found" suggests that Python may not be installed or correctly configured on your host machine.
   • Install Python using:

     sudo apt install python3
     

8. Test Different Flashing Methods:

   • If problems persist, consider using different methods for flashing, such as using a different host operating system or employing a manual flashing approach via command line.

9. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for troubleshooting steps specific to SDK Manager and JetPack.

10. Community Support:

    • If unresolved, consider posting detailed logs and descriptions of your issue on forums for community assistance.

By following these steps, users have reported success in resolving similar issues with flashing their Jetson Orin Nano devices.