Jetson Orin Nano – Dead on Arrival + SDK Flashing Problem

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing significant issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically related to it being non-functional upon initial setup and complications during the SDK flashing process. The main symptoms reported include:

• Non-responsive board: When powered on, users encounter a black screen with no activity from Ethernet LEDs.
• Flashing failures: During the flashing process using SDK Manager, users report that the operation fails between 88% and 91%, often accompanied by error messages indicating issues with NFS mounting.
• Inconsistent hardware setup: Users have attempted various configurations, including using different SD cards and NVMe modules, but consistently face the same issues.
• Network communication problems: The Ethernet interface appears inactive, failing to obtain an IP address via DHCP.

The issue occurs primarily during the initial setup and flashing stages, with users running Ubuntu 22.04.3 on various laptops. The problem seems prevalent among multiple users, indicating a broader issue with either hardware or software configuration.

Possible Causes

The following potential causes have been identified for the issues experienced:

• Hardware incompatibilities or defects: There may be inherent defects in some boards leading to them being non-functional upon arrival.

• Software bugs or conflicts: The SDK Manager may contain bugs that prevent successful flashing of the Jetson Orin Nano.

• Configuration errors: Incorrect configurations in the flashing process or network settings could lead to failures.

• Driver issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may hinder communication between the host PC and the Jetson board.

• Environmental factors: Power supply issues or improper connections could affect board performance.

• User errors or misconfigurations: Mistakes during setup, such as incorrect flashing commands or failure to enable necessary services like NFS, can lead to problems.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the issues with the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Initial Setup Verification:

   • Ensure that all connections (SD card, NVMe module, USB keyboard, monitor, Ethernet) are secure.
   • Confirm that the power supply is adequate and functioning.

2. Flashing Process:

   • Use the command line to flash directly using flash.sh:

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

   • This method has been reported to work successfully for some users instead of using SDK Manager.

3. NFS Configuration:

   • Ensure that NFS is enabled on your host PC. Check if the NFS server is active:

     sudo systemctl status nfs-kernel-server
     

   • If inactive, start it using:

     sudo systemctl start nfs-kernel-server
     

4. Firewall and Network Settings:

   • Disable any active firewalls or VPNs that might interfere with network communication during flashing.
   • Check your DHCP server settings to ensure it can assign an IP address to the Jetson board.

5. Gather Diagnostic Information:

   • Run the following commands to gather information about your setup and share it for further assistance:

     ls -la /home/wkoszek/nvidia/nvidia_sdk/JetPack_6.0_DP_Linux_DP_JETSON_ORIN_NANO_TARGETS/Linux_for_Tegra
     showmount -e
     sudo blkid
     df -h
     

6. Alternative Flashing Method for NVMe:

   • If you need to flash NVMe after initial setup, use:

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

7. Testing with Different Hardware Configurations:

   • If possible, test with another SD card or NVMe module to rule out hardware defects.

8. Documentation & Updates:

   • Regularly check Nvidia’s official documentation for any updates regarding JetPack versions or SDK Manager improvements.

9. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure that your development environment (Ubuntu version, SDK Manager version) meets Nvidia’s recommended specifications before starting the setup process.

Further investigation may be needed if these steps do not resolve the issue, particularly regarding potential hardware defects in specific units of the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.