Orin Nano Fails on Waiting for Target to Boot

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing boot failures with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, specifically during the flashing process and subsequent boot attempts. Symptoms include the device hanging on a black screen after the Nvidia logo appears, despite previous successful boots. The issue arises when attempting to flash the board using both SDK Manager and direct command-line methods. Users have reported that their SD cards, which previously worked, are now unresponsive. The problem is consistent across various setups and configurations, indicating a more systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.

Context of the Problem:

• Flashing Process: Users have followed standard procedures to flash the SD card with Jetson Linux 36.3 and JetPack 6.0, but face errors during boot.
• Hardware Specs: The device is powered by an external 19V power supply, and users have attempted to connect various boot devices (SD card, USB drives) without success.
• Frequency of Issue: The problem has been reported multiple times by different users, suggesting it may be a common issue.
• Impact on User Experience: The inability to boot limits users’ ability to utilize the developer kit for AI applications, significantly hindering development progress.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects:

   • Faulty SD cards or connectors may prevent proper booting.

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts:

   • JetPack 6.0 is still in developer preview; using it may introduce untested bugs.

3. Configuration Errors:

   • Incorrect parameters in flashing commands or configurations may lead to failures.

4. Driver Issues:

   • Outdated or incompatible drivers could prevent successful communication between the host PC and the Jetson device.

5. Environmental Factors:

   • Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance during boot.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations:

   • Incorrectly connecting the board in recovery mode or using wrong flash targets can lead to failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure all connections are secure, especially the power supply and SD card.

2. Check SD Card Integrity:

   • Use a different SD card known to work with other Jetson devices.
   • Format the SD card before flashing to eliminate corruption.

3. Use SDK Manager for Flashing:

   • Ensure the board is in force recovery mode by shorting pins 9 and 10 on the header while powering on.
   • Follow these steps:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device mmcblk0p1 \
     -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_t234_nvme.xml -p "-c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" \
     --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

4. Test Different Boot Devices:

   • If available, try using an NVMe SSD or USB drive instead of an SD card for flashing.

5. Use Previous JetPack Version:

   • Downgrade to JetPack 5.x for initial setup as it is more stable than JetPack 6.x.
   • Follow this procedure for flashing:

     # Download JetPack 5.x from NVIDIA's site
     # Flash using SDK Manager
     

6. Check USB Detection Issues:

   • If USB detection fails, inspect USB cables and ports; try different cables or ports on the host machine.

7. Run Diagnostic Commands via UART Console:

   • Access UART console and run:

     cat /sys/class/usb_role/usb2-0-role-switch/role
     

   • If this returns empty, further investigate USB connectivity issues.

8. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide for detailed instructions.
   • Engage with community forums for shared experiences and solutions.

9. Log Exporting for Further Analysis:

   • If errors persist, export logs from SDK Manager using the "EXPORT LOGS" feature for detailed troubleshooting.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Regularly update firmware and software components.
    • Keep backups of working SD card images to quickly restore functionality if issues arise again.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve boot issues with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.