Jetson Orin Nano Boot Issues with NVMe Drives

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues when attempting to boot the Jetson Orin Nano after installing the SDK version 5.1.2 on an NVMe drive that was previously used with the Jetson Xavier. The symptoms include:

• Successful installation of the SDK but failure to boot the operating system.
• When using a "clean" NVMe (one without a previous SDK), the installation and boot process works correctly.
• The NVMe drive does not appear as a boot option in the UEFI menu, leading to confusion about whether it is recognized as a bootable device.

The problem occurs specifically during the boot process after installation, and it has been noted that using an NVMe drive previously flashed for the Xavier NX module leads to recognition issues by the Orin Nano. This issue appears to be consistent among multiple users, significantly impacting their ability to utilize the Orin Nano effectively.

Possible Causes

The following potential causes have been identified for the boot issue:

• Hardware Incompatibility: The Orin Nano may not support NVMe drives that have been previously configured for other Jetson models (like Xavier NX).
• Software Bugs: There could be unresolved bugs in SDK version 5.1.2 that affect compatibility with certain NVMe drives.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during the flashing process might lead to an unrecognized NVMe drive.
• Driver Issues: Missing or incompatible drivers could prevent proper recognition of the NVMe drive during boot.
• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect device performance and recognition.
• User Errors: Misconfigurations during setup or flashing processes may lead to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the boot issue with the Jetson Orin Nano, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure that the NVMe drive is properly seated in its slot.
   • Check power supply connections to ensure adequate power is provided.

2. Re-flash the NVMe Drive:

   • Use a clean NVMe drive for installation. If using a previously flashed drive, perform a complete re-flash using the SDK Manager.
   • Follow these commands to flash:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit-qspi mmcblk1p1
     

   • Make sure to select "Manual Setup" during flashing if prompted.

3. Check Boot Configuration:

   • Enter UEFI settings and confirm that the NVMe is set as a boot priority.
   • If it does not appear, check if it is recognized at all by trying another NVMe drive known to work with Orin Nano.

4. Use SDK Manager Logs:

   • If errors occur during flashing, use the “EXPORT LOGS” feature in SDK Manager to gather diagnostic information.
   • Review logs for any specific error messages that could indicate what went wrong.

5. Test Different Configurations:

   • If possible, test with different versions of JetPack (e.g., JetPack 5.0) to see if compatibility improves.
   • Consider testing with different NVMe drives or configurations (e.g., using an SD card instead).

6. Check for Firmware Updates:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of JetPack and check NVIDIA’s website for any firmware updates related to your hardware.

7. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums (like NVIDIA Developer Forums) for shared experiences and solutions from other users facing similar issues.

8. Best Practices:

   • Always use fresh installations on clean drives when switching between different Jetson modules.
   • Regularly check for updates from NVIDIA regarding SDKs and compatibility notes.

If multiple users report success with a particular solution, highlight it as a recommended approach within community discussions. Further investigation may be needed if problems persist after following these steps, particularly regarding hardware compatibility or deeper software issues.