Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Boot Failure with NVMe SSD in WSL2

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing boot failures with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit when attempting to boot from a Crucial NVMe SSD while using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) with Ubuntu 20.04. The symptoms include errors during the flashing process and a failure to recognize the target board, leading to an inability to complete the setup. The issue occurs consistently during the initial boot phase after using both manual command line methods and the SDK Manager for installation. Users have reported that they can see the disk available but encounter multiple errors, including "failed to read rcm_state" and "ERROR: Parsing boardid failed." The impact of this problem significantly hampers user experience, as it prevents them from utilizing the developer kit effectively.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The use of third-party NVMe SSDs may lead to compatibility issues, as some users have reported problems with specific brands or configurations.

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: Users have noted that the SDK Manager can be problematic, especially on certain versions of Ubuntu (e.g., 22.04), which may not be fully supported.

3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during the flashing process or improper setup of recovery mode can lead to boot failures.

4. Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers may prevent proper communication between the board and the NVMe SSD.

5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect the performance and stability of the device during boot.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Missteps in following setup instructions, such as incorrect pin connections for recovery mode, can lead to failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Compatibility:

   • Ensure that the NVMe SSD is compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Consider using an official Nvidia SSD if issues persist with third-party options.

2. Check Power Supply:

   • Confirm that the power supply meets Nvidia’s specifications for the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Ensure stable power delivery during setup.

3. Reflash Using SDK Manager:

   • Download and install JetPack 5.1.2 if not already done.
   • Use the SDK Manager to perform a manual flash:

     sudo ./nvsdkmanager_flash.sh --storage nvme0n1p1 --nv-auto-config --username <your_username>
     

   • If errors occur during flashing, click "EXPORT LOGS" in SDK Manager for further diagnostics.

4. Boot into Recovery Mode:

   • Connect pins 9 and 10 on the board correctly to enter recovery mode before powering on.
   • Ensure that you are using a supported method for entering recovery mode.

5. Check System Logs:

   • Review logs generated by SDK Manager for specific error messages.
   • Look for entries related to "rcm_state" or "boardid" which indicate underlying issues.

6. Driver Updates:

   • Ensure all drivers are up-to-date by checking Nvidia’s developer site for any available updates related to Jetson Orin Nano.

7. Test Different Configurations:

   • If possible, test with different hardware setups (e.g., different cables or configurations) to isolate potential issues.
   • Consider using another computer with a native Linux installation instead of WSL2 for flashing.

8. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums such as Nvidia’s Developer Forums or Reddit’s r/JetsonNano for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

9. Documentation Links:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for JetPack installation and troubleshooting steps Nvidia Developer Documentation.

10. Best Practices:

    • Always ensure that you follow official guides closely when setting up hardware.
    • Regularly check for firmware updates and community posts regarding known issues with specific hardware combinations.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their booting issues with the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit when using an NVMe SSD in WSL2 environments.