Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit Stuck on Boot Screen

Issue Overview

Users have reported that the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit is getting stuck on the boot screen, displaying the NVIDIA logo but failing to proceed further. This issue manifests after users transport the device to a different location. The symptoms include:

• The device hangs at the startup screen with the NVIDIA logo, showing no progress beyond the last square.
• Attempts to interrupt the boot process by pressing ESC or F11 do not yield any results; instead, the loading bar freezes.
• The last output on the serial monitor indicates a firmware version and an assertion failure related to variable runtime.

The problem occurs consistently during boot-up and remains unchanged even when the SD card is removed. Users have attempted to reflash the device using various methods, but these efforts have not resolved the issue. The device was previously functioning correctly, which raises concerns about possible changes during transportation.

The impact of this problem is significant, especially for users relying on the Jetson for upcoming competitions, as it renders the device unusable until resolved.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes could explain why users are experiencing this boot issue:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Physical damage or defects that may have occurred during transportation could lead to boot failures.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The use of a Developer Preview release (R36.2) may introduce instability and unexpected behavior during boot.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings or configurations in the UEFI environment may prevent successful booting.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could cause conflicts during the boot process.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature fluctuations could impact device performance.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Mistakes during flashing or setup could lead to persistent boot problems.

Understanding these causes can help users troubleshoot and resolve their issues effectively.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

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

1. Verify Connections:

   • Ensure that all cables (power, HDMI, etc.) are securely connected.
   • Confirm that the USB connection is stable if using peripherals.

2. Check Firmware Version:

   • Observe the firmware version displayed on the boot screen. If it remains at 36.2.0, reflashing may be necessary.

3. Reflash Using SDK Manager:

   • If possible, obtain access to an Ubuntu PC to use SDK Manager for reflashing.
   • Follow instructions from NVIDIA’s JetPack SDK documentation to ensure proper flashing procedures are followed.

4. Use SD Card Image Method:

   • Download JetPack SDK 6.0 (R36.3.0) specifically for SD Card Image Method.
   • Extract and flash sd-blob.img onto an SD card using Balena Etcher.
   • Insert the SD card into the Jetson and power it on to see if it resolves the issue.

5. Test with Different SD Cards:

   • If available, try using a different SD card to rule out card-related issues.

6. Boot from USB Drive (if applicable):

   • Consider creating a bootable USB drive with a compatible Linux distribution if you cannot access an Ubuntu PC directly.

7. Check for Environmental Factors:

   • Ensure that the device is operating within recommended temperature ranges and that power supply specifications are met.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • If problems persist, consider posting detailed logs and error messages in forums for additional support from other users or developers familiar with similar issues.

9. Document Any Errors Encountered During Flashing:

   • Keep a record of any errors encountered during flashing attempts with SDK Manager or other methods for further troubleshooting assistance.

10. Consider Virtual Machines:

    • If no physical Ubuntu machine is available, running a virtual machine (VM) on Windows may provide an alternative for using SDK Manager.

By systematically following these troubleshooting steps, users can identify and potentially resolve their boot issues with the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. If multiple users have successfully reflashed using SDK Manager as a solution, it should be prioritized as a recommended approach.