Jetson Orin Nano Not Booting After Flashing JetPack 6.0 DP

Issue Overview

The issue at hand involves the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board failing to boot after flashing JetPack 6.0 Developer Preview (DP). Users report that upon attempting to reboot the device after a successful flash, it does not boot, and there is no output in the serial debug console. The symptoms include:

• No boot logs: Users have noted that the serial console does not display any logs, suggesting the system hangs before reaching the logging stage.
• Context of occurrence: This issue typically arises after flashing the JetPack 6.0 DP, specifically when using NVMe storage configurations.
• Hardware specifications: Users are employing the Jetson Orin Nano with 8GB RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD.
• Frequency: The problem appears to be consistent among multiple users who have flashed JetPack 6.0 DP.
• Impact: The inability to boot significantly hampers development and testing processes, leading to frustration among users relying on this hardware for projects.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this boot issue have been identified:

• Hardware incompatibilities: Custom carrier boards may not meet all requirements for booting from NVMe, leading to failure during the boot process.
• Software bugs: As JetPack 6.0 is a developer preview, it may contain unresolved bugs affecting system stability and boot functionality.
• Configuration errors: Incorrect configurations during the flashing process or in the serial console setup could lead to incomplete boot logs or a failure to boot.
• Driver issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent proper communication between the board and connected peripherals.
• Environmental factors: Power supply issues or overheating could also contribute to boot failures.
• User errors: Misconfigurations in flashing commands or improper use of tools like SDK Manager could lead to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the booting issue with the Jetson Orin Nano, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Reflash the Board:

   • Use the command:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p “-c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml” --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

   • Ensure you are using a stable version of JetPack if possible, as JetPack 6.0 DP may have unresolved issues.

2. Check Serial Console Setup:

   • Make sure you are capturing logs from the serial console correctly. Start your terminal (e.g., minicom) before powering on the board to capture all logs from the beginning.
   • For detailed instructions on setting up a serial console, refer to guides such as "JetsonHacks – Serial Debug Console".

3. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all connections are secure, especially for NVMe drives and power supplies. If using a custom carrier board, confirm compatibility with the Jetson module.

4. Isolate Hardware Issues:

   • Test with different hardware configurations if possible (e.g., different NVMe drives or power supplies).
   • If available, try using an official NVIDIA development kit instead of a custom board.

5. Review Logs for Errors:

   • After reflashing, carefully review any logs generated during the flash process for errors or warnings that might indicate what went wrong.

6. Use Recovery Mode:

   • Ensure that you are placing your board into recovery mode correctly before attempting to flash again. This typically involves shorting specific pins on the board.

7. Consult Documentation and Community Resources:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation on flashing and troubleshooting for additional insights.
   • Engage with community forums for shared experiences and solutions from other users facing similar issues.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Avoid using developer preview versions unless necessary; opt for stable releases when possible.
   • Always back up your configurations and important data before flashing new software.

9. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Some users have reported ongoing issues even after following these steps, indicating that further investigation into specific hardware setups or firmware updates may be necessary.

By following these steps and utilizing community resources effectively, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their booting issues with the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.