Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Fails to Boot JetPack 6.0 via SD Card Image

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit with JetPack 6.0 using the SD Card Image Method. The specific symptoms include:

• The device only displays one screen before the screen goes black
• No further boot progress occurs after the initial screen
• The same procedure works fine with JetPack 5.1.3, indicating a version-specific issue
• The problem consistently occurs when attempting to boot JetPack 6.0

This issue significantly impacts the user’s ability to set up and use the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit with the latest JetPack version, potentially hindering development and testing processes.

Possible Causes

1. Bootloader Incompatibility: The bootloader installed with JetPack 5.x may not be fully compatible with JetPack 6.0.

2. Incomplete System Update: The SD card image method only provides a rootfs to boot and does not update the bootloader software, leading to version mismatches.

3. Firmware Mismatch: The current firmware may not be compatible with the newer JetPack version, causing boot failures.

4. Hardware Limitations: There might be hardware-specific issues preventing the newer JetPack version from booting properly.

5. Corrupted SD Card Image: The JetPack 6.0 image could be corrupted or improperly written to the SD card.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Flash JetPack 6.0 Using SDK Manager:

   • Connect your Jetson Orin Nano to a host Ubuntu PC
   • Use NVIDIA SDK Manager to flash JetPack 6.0 onto the device
   • This process will update the bootloader and ensure full compatibility
   • After flashing, try booting with the SD card image again

2. Update Bootloader/Firmware Without Host PC:

   • You can now update the bootloader and firmware directly on the Jetson device
   • Follow the instructions provided in the Jetson AI Lab Initial Setup Guide
   • This method allows for updates without requiring a separate Ubuntu host

3. Verify SD Card Image Integrity:

   • Re-download the JetPack 6.0 SD card image from the official NVIDIA source
   • Use a checksum verification tool to ensure the downloaded image is not corrupted
   • Re-write the image to the SD card using a reliable tool like Etcher or dd command

4. Try Alternative Boot Methods:

   • If possible, attempt to boot JetPack 6.0 using other methods, such as USB boot
   • This can help isolate whether the issue is specific to the SD card boot method

5. Check for Known Issues and Updates:

   • Visit the NVIDIA Developer forums and Jetson community pages
   • Look for any known issues or recent updates related to JetPack 6.0 and Orin Nano
   • Apply any available patches or workarounds

6. Rollback and Gradual Update:

   • If all else fails, consider rolling back to JetPack 5.1.3
   • Once booted, attempt to update components gradually to identify the specific cause of the issue

7. Hardware Inspection:

   • Ensure all connections are secure, including power and display cables
   • Check for any visible hardware damage or irregularities

8. Collect Diagnostic Information:

   • If possible, connect a serial console to capture boot logs
   • Use the following command to view boot logs:

     sudo cat /var/log/boot.log
     

   • Share these logs with NVIDIA support or community forums for further assistance

Remember to document each step attempted and its outcome. If the issue persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to NVIDIA support directly with detailed information about your setup and the troubleshooting steps you’ve taken.