Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Boot Issues and SD Card Flashing Problems

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties with their newly purchased Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano developer kits. The primary issues reported include:

1. Failure to boot properly after following the official getting started guide
2. Inability to flash the microSD card correctly
3. Problems with using SDK Manager due to insufficient system requirements on the host machine
4. The device briefly displays the Nvidia screen with boot options, then goes dark with "no signal" on the display port before entering sleep mode with the fan running continuously

These issues are preventing users from setting up and using their Jetson Orin Nano devices as intended.

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect SD card flashing procedure: Users may not be following the correct steps to flash the microSD card with the required Jetson software.

2. Incompatible or improperly formatted SD card: The SanDisk 64GB microSDXC card being used might not be compatible or properly formatted for the Jetson Orin Nano.

3. Insufficient host system resources: The host machine used for flashing and setup may not meet the minimum requirements for running SDK Manager.

4. Misunderstanding of the setup process: There seems to be confusion about the relationship between the host machine’s operating system and the Jetson device’s operating system.

5. Outdated or incompatible JetPack version: Using JetPack 6.0, which may not be fully compatible with all Jetson Orin Nano devices or may have known issues.

6. Hardware issues: There could be potential hardware problems with the Jetson Orin Nano kit itself, such as faulty connections or components.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Ensure proper SD card flashing:

   • Use the official NVIDIA SDK Manager for flashing when possible.
   • If using Windows to flash the SD card, ensure you’re following the official guide precisely: Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Getting Started | NVIDIA Developer.
   • The SD card should be formatted as FAT32 before flashing, not NTFS.

2. Use a compatible host machine:

   • Ensure your host PC meets the minimum requirements for SDK Manager installation.
   • If your current machine doesn’t meet the requirements, consider using a more powerful computer or a virtual machine with sufficient resources.

3. Proper SD card preparation:

   • Use a high-quality, known-compatible SD card.
   • Before flashing, format the SD card using the official SD Card Formatter tool from the SD Association.

4. Use the correct JetPack version:

   • For beginners, it’s recommended to use JetPack 5.x instead of the developer preview JetPack 6.0.
   • Download the appropriate JetPack version from the NVIDIA Developer website.

5. Flashing process:

   • Use SDK Manager for the most reliable flashing process.
   • Follow these steps:

     1. Install SDK Manager on a compatible host machine
     2. Connect your Jetson Orin Nano to the host machine via USB
     3. Put the Jetson device into recovery mode
     4. Open SDK Manager and select the appropriate JetPack version
     5. Follow the on-screen instructions to flash your device
     

6. Troubleshoot boot issues:

   • If the device shows the NVIDIA screen briefly before going dark:
     a. Check all cable connections, especially the display port cable.
     b. Try a different display or cable if available.
     c. Connect a keyboard and try pressing F2 or Del during boot to enter BIOS/UEFI settings.

7. Check for hardware issues:

   • Inspect the Jetson Orin Nano kit for any visible damage or loose connections.
   • If possible, test with a known-good power supply to rule out power-related issues.

8. Gather more information:

   • When seeking help, provide detailed information about your setup, including:
     • Exact model of Jetson Orin Nano
     • JetPack version being used
     • Host machine specifications
     • Detailed description of the issue and steps taken
   • Use the "EXPORT LOGS" feature in SDK Manager to provide comprehensive logs when seeking support.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider reaching out to NVIDIA support directly or posting a detailed description of your problem, including logs, on the official NVIDIA Developer Forums for further assistance.