Possible to boot Xavier image on Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting a Jetson Xavier NX image on a Jetson Orin Nano development board. The specific symptoms include:

• Boot Failure: When attempting to boot the Orin Nano with an SD card cloned from a Xavier NX (model P3668), the device fails to start.
• Context: This issue arises during the setup phase, specifically when users try to utilize an existing SD card image intended for the Xavier NX on the Orin Nano.
• Specifications: The original system is running Ubuntu 18.04.04 LTS with L4T R32.x, while the Orin Nano requires a compatible image that aligns with its architecture and boot requirements.
• Frequency: This problem appears consistently for users attempting to transfer images between these two distinct devices.
• Impact: The inability to boot affects user experience significantly as it prevents access to applications and functionalities tied to the original system.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes have been identified for this issue:

• Hardware Incompatibility: The architecture and boot processes between Xavier NX and Orin Nano are fundamentally different, leading to incompatibility.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The older software (L4T R32.x) may not have corresponding packages or support in the newer environment of Orin Nano (L4T R34.x).

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during the cloning process or lack of necessary adjustments for the Orin Nano environment could hinder successful booting.

• Driver Issues: The drivers required for hardware initialization may differ significantly between the two models, complicating compatibility.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Lack of root privileges and mismanagement of user permissions can lead to further complications when attempting system modifications.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the booting issue, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify L4T Version:

   • Check the L4T version on the Xavier NX using:

     head -n 1 /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

   • If it is R32.x or earlier, note that direct compatibility with Orin Nano is unlikely.

2. Create a Backup of the SD Card:

   • Use dd to create a clone of the SD card for safe experimentation:

     sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=/path/to/backup.img bs=4M
     

3. Download Compatible Image:

   • Obtain the appropriate Orin Nano devkit SD Card image from the JetPack SDK page.

4. Setup a New Boot Environment:

   • Install JetPack SDK on a host machine and configure it for the Orin Nano. This ensures you have a compatible environment.

5. Explore Recovery Options:

   • If root access is needed, consider recovery techniques to reset the root password if possible.

6. Test with Different Configurations:

   • Experiment with different configurations by setting up a new environment using JetPack SDK Manager, ensuring that you select the same JetPack release as used in your original system.

7. Check Python Compatibility:

   • Ensure that Python applications are compatible with both Python 2 and Python 3, and verify CUDA versions since R32.x uses CUDA 10 while R34.x+ uses CUDA 11.

8. Rebuild C/C++ Programs if Necessary:

   • If there are C or C++ applications, consider rebuilding them for compatibility with CUDA versions used in R34.x+.

9. Document Findings and Adjustments:

   • Keep detailed notes on any changes made during troubleshooting for future reference.

10. Seek Community Support:

    • If issues persist, consider reaching out to community forums or support channels for further assistance.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to booting an Xavier image on an Orin Nano development board.