Jetpack 5.1.3 SD Image Boot Error on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a boot error when attempting to create and boot an SD image with Jetpack 5.1.3 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board. The specific symptoms include:

• The system initially displays the boot screen
• After the boot screen, it transitions to a black screen
• The black screen persists indefinitely, preventing normal system startup
• The issue occurs during the initial boot process after creating the SD image
• This problem is preventing users from updating to Jetpack 6, as the 5.1.3 version is a necessary intermediate step

The impact of this issue is significant, as it completely halts the boot process and renders the device unusable, blocking users from accessing the system or proceeding with further updates.

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete or Corrupted SD Image: The Jetpack 5.1.3 SD image may not have been created correctly or could have become corrupted during the writing process.

2. Hardware Compatibility Issues: There might be incompatibilities between the Jetpack 5.1.3 image and specific hardware configurations of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.

3. Boot Loader Problems: The boot loader may be failing to properly initialize the system, causing it to hang at the black screen.

4. Recovery Mode Activation: The system might be inadvertently entering recovery mode, which could explain the black screen and the inability to boot normally.

5. Insufficient Power Supply: Inadequate power delivery to the dev board could cause instability during the boot process.

6. Corrupted or Incompatible Firmware: The board’s firmware may be outdated or incompatible with Jetpack 5.1.3.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Recover from Recovery Boot:

   • The provided log indicates that the system is already in recovery boot mode.
   • Follow the recovery process outlined in the official Nvidia documentation to exit recovery mode and attempt a normal boot.

2. Recreate the SD Image:

   • Download a fresh copy of Jetpack 5.1.3 from the official Nvidia website.
   • Use a reliable SD card writing tool to create the image.
   • Verify the integrity of the downloaded file and the written image.

3. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure that the power supply meets the requirements for the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.
   • Try using a different power adapter if available.

4. Update Firmware:

   • Check for any available firmware updates for your specific Jetson Orin Nano model.
   • Apply firmware updates following Nvidia’s official guidelines.

5. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Inspect all hardware connections, including the SD card slot and power input.
   • Reseat the SD card and any other removable components.

6. Collect Proper Logs:

   • Resize the terminal window to prevent log truncation.
   • After attempting a normal boot, collect a new set of logs.
   • Use the following command to capture a complete log:

     sudo dmesg > jetpack_boot_log.txt
     

7. Try Alternative Boot Methods:

   • If available, attempt to boot from USB or internal storage to isolate the issue to the SD card.

8. Check for Known Issues:

   • Visit the Nvidia Developer Forums and search for similar issues with Jetpack 5.1.3 on the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Look for any recently released patches or workarounds.

9. Consult Nvidia Support:

   • If the issue persists after trying the above steps, contact Nvidia support with the following information:
     • Detailed description of the problem
     • Complete, non-truncated log files
     • Hardware configuration details
     • Steps already attempted

Remember to document each step taken and the results observed. This will be valuable information if you need to escalate the issue to Nvidia support or community forums.