Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Flashing Issues

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing errors while attempting to flash the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, particularly when using the NVIDIA SDK Manager. The specific symptom reported is an error occurring at 98% completion of the flashing process. This issue arises when users operate within a virtual machine running Ubuntu 20.04 with SDK versions 5.1.3 and 2.1.0, and it has been noted that the board is equipped with an NVMe drive but lacks an SD card. The problem is inconsistent, as some users have successfully flashed the board using a native Ubuntu environment, while others continue to face difficulties, indicating a potential environmental or configuration issue.

Possible Causes

• Virtual Machine Limitations: Virtual machines may not fully support USB device passthrough, leading to disconnections during the flashing process.
• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities or outdated drivers can prevent successful communication between the host and the Jetson board.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the SDK Manager or failure to set the board into recovery mode can hinder the flashing process.
• Hardware Incompatibilities: Using unsupported hardware configurations, such as third-party carrier boards, may lead to errors in the flashing procedure.
• Missing Serial Console Logs: Without access to serial console logs, diagnosing issues becomes challenging, limiting troubleshooting options.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Switch to Native Ubuntu Host:

   • If using a virtual machine, switch to a native installation of Ubuntu 20.04 for better compatibility with SDK Manager.
   • Users have reported success after making this change.

2. Check USB Connections:

   • Ensure all USB connections are secure and that the board is recognized by the host system.
   • Monitor for any disconnections during the flashing process.

3. Put Board in Recovery Mode:

   • To enter recovery mode, short pins 9 and 10 on the Button Header while powering on the device.
   • This step is crucial for SDK Manager to detect the board.

4. Use Correct SDK Manager Version:

   • Ensure you are using JetPack 5.x instead of JetPack 6.x for initial setups, as the latter is still in developer preview and may cause unexpected issues.

5. Export Logs for Diagnosis:

   • Use the "EXPORT LOGS" function in SDK Manager to gather necessary logs for troubleshooting.
   • Share these logs in forums or with support for further assistance.

6. Install Necessary Drivers:

   • Make sure all required drivers are installed and up-to-date on your host machine.

7. Review Flash Process Logs:

   • Pay attention to both host-side logs (from SDK Manager) and device-side logs (via serial console) if available.
   • If serial console access is unavailable, consider acquiring a serial cable for future diagnostics.

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to official NVIDIA documentation for detailed setup instructions and troubleshooting tips:
     • Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide [1]
     • SDK Manager Documentation [3]

9. Best Practices for Future Use:

   • Always ensure that your Jetson board’s firmware is up-to-date before attempting any flashing procedures.
   • Regularly check NVIDIA forums for updates or patches related to SDK Manager and JetPack versions.

10. Unresolved Issues:

    • Some users may still face issues even after following these steps; further investigation may be needed based on individual configurations and setups.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can effectively diagnose and resolve issues related to flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.