Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit Not Booting After Flashing SD Card

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit after flashing an SD card with the JetPack 5.1.1 SD Card Image. The specific symptoms include:

• The device displays "** WARNING: Test Key is used. ** L4TLauncher: Attempting Direct Boot" message on the screen, followed by a black screen[1].
• The cooling fan repeatedly stops and spins in a cycle[1].
• Accessing the Boot Manager by pressing ESC and selecting ‘UEFI SD Device’ results in the same "L4TLauncher: Attempting Direct Boot" message and black screen[1].
• Flashing attempts using SDKM (SDK Manager) also fail with errors.

The issue occurs consistently after flashing the SD card and prevents the device from booting successfully. It impacts the user experience and renders the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit unusable in this state[1].

Possible Causes

The potential causes for this boot failure after SD card flashing could include:

1. Corrupted or incomplete SD card flashing: If the SD card flashing process is interrupted or fails to complete properly, it can result in a corrupted or incomplete image on the SD card, preventing the device from booting.

2. Incompatible SD card: Using an SD card that is not compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit or the JetPack 5.1.1 image can lead to boot failures. Factors like SD card capacity, speed class, and brand compatibility can affect the flashing process and device boot.

3. Incorrect flashing procedure: Deviating from the recommended flashing steps or using incorrect tools/settings during the flashing process can introduce errors and cause boot issues.

4. Hardware issues: Faulty or damaged hardware components on the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit, such as the SD card slot, power supply, or system board, can prevent successful booting even with a properly flashed SD card[1].

5. Software bugs or incompatibilities: Bugs or incompatibilities in the JetPack 5.1.1 SD card image itself or conflicts with existing software on the device can manifest as boot failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To troubleshoot and potentially resolve the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit boot failure after SD card flashing, follow these steps:

1. Verify SD card compatibility:

   • Ensure that the SD card used for flashing meets the recommended specifications for the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit (e.g., capacity, speed class).
   • Try flashing the JetPack 5.1.1 image on a different SD card from a reputable brand to rule out SD card incompatibility.

2. Re-flash the SD card:

   • Download the JetPack 5.1.1 SD card image again from the official source to ensure you have a valid and uncorrupted image file.
   • Use a reliable SD card flashing tool (e.g., Etcher) to flash the image onto the SD card, making sure the process completes without errors.
   • Verify the integrity of the flashed SD card by comparing the checksum of the flashed card with the original image.

3. Use SDKM for flashing:

   • Instead of directly flashing the SD card, use NVIDIA SDK Manager (SDKM) to flash the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit.
   • Follow the official SDKM flashing instructions carefully, ensuring all prerequisites are met and steps are followed accurately.

4. Check hardware connections:

   • Inspect the physical condition of the SD card and the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit’s SD card slot for any visible damage or debris.
   • Ensure that the SD card is properly inserted into the slot and making good contact[1].
   • Verify that all other hardware connections (power supply, display, keyboard) are securely attached and functioning correctly[1].

5. Collect serial console logs:

   • Connect a USB cable to the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit’s UART (serial) port and capture the serial console output during the boot process.
   • Analyze the serial logs for any error messages or indications of the specific point of failure during boot.
   • Share the serial logs with the NVIDIA Jetson community or support channels for further assistance in diagnosing the issue.

6. Try alternative flashing methods:

   • If SD card flashing continues to fail, attempt flashing the JetPack 5.1.1 image using alternative methods, such as USB drive or NVMe SSD.
   • Follow the appropriate flashing instructions for the chosen method, as provided by NVIDIA or the Jetson community.

7. Seek community support:

   • Engage with the NVIDIA Jetson community forums or support channels to seek guidance from experienced users who may have encountered similar issues.
   • Provide detailed information about your setup, flashing process, and observed symptoms to facilitate accurate troubleshooting suggestions.

By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps and exploring alternative flashing methods, you can isolate the cause of the boot failure and potentially resolve the issue to successfully boot your Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit with the flashed SD card.