Get “nvidia-l4t-bootloader post install notification” on every boot, Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit are encountering a persistent notification upon booting their device. The message states: “Update information” followed by “nvidia-l4t-bootloader Post Install Notification. Reboot is required to complete the installation.”

Specific Symptoms

• The notification appears every time the device is booted.
• Users report seeing a WARNING: Test Key is used message before the main GUI loads.
• The issue arises after following the setup instructions in the "Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Getting Started Guide" and using Etcher to flash the image onto a 64GB SD card.

Context

• The problem occurs during the boot process of the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit.
• Users have indicated that aside from this notification, the device functions normally.

Frequency

• This issue appears consistently with every boot cycle.

Impact

• While the notification does not seem to affect functionality, it can be considered an annoyance for users who expect a clean boot experience.
• There are concerns about whether firmware updates are being received due to this persistent message.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If there are issues with the SD card or other hardware components, it could lead to improper initialization of the bootloader.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The message may be indicative of a software bug within the Nvidia L4T (Linux for Tegra) system that fails to recognize a completed installation.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during flashing or setup may result in persistent notifications.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or improperly installed drivers could lead to issues during boot, causing repeated notifications.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply inconsistencies or temperature variations could affect hardware performance and initialization.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: If users do not follow flashing instructions precisely, it may lead to incomplete installations.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Flashing Process:

   • Ensure that you followed the correct steps outlined in the "Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Getting Started Guide."
   • Check that you used the appropriate L4T version for your specific Dev Kit model.

2. Check for Updates:

   • Run the following command in the terminal to check for any available updates:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
     

   • This may resolve any underlying software issues that could be causing the notification.

3. Inspect Boot Configuration:

   • Review your boot configuration settings to ensure they align with recommended practices:

     cat /boot/extlinux/extlinux.conf
     

   • Look for any anomalies in configuration that might trigger repeated notifications.

4. Secure Boot Consideration:

   • If secure boot is not enabled with your own keys, consider enabling it as it may suppress the test key warning and related notifications.
   • Instructions for enabling secure boot can typically be found in Nvidia’s official documentation.

5. Ignore Notification (if no functionality issues):

   • If all functionalities work as expected aside from this notification, some users have reported success by simply ignoring it until further updates from Nvidia address the issue.

6. Reflash SD Card:

   • As a last resort, consider re-flashing your SD card using Etcher or another reliable tool to ensure a clean installation. Be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Additional Recommendations

• Regularly check Nvidia’s official forums and documentation for updates regarding this issue.
• Keep your system firmware and drivers up-to-date to minimize potential bugs and conflicts.

Unresolved Aspects

While many users report that ignoring the notification does not lead to further issues, there remains uncertainty about whether firmware updates are being properly applied due to this persistent message. Further investigation into Nvidia’s support channels may be necessary for definitive resolutions.