SDK Flash Fails on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties in flashing the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board using the SDK Manager. The primary symptom is an error message during the flashing process:

“17:46:15 ERROR: Flash Jetson Linux – flash: [ 0.0365 ] ERROR: failed to read rcm_state.”

This issue occurs specifically when users attempt to flash the device after connecting an NVMe disk and enabling a jumper under the fan. The users are operating on Ubuntu 20.04, and the problem appears to be inconsistent, as some users may successfully flash their devices while others encounter this error.

The impact of this problem significantly hampers user experience, preventing them from utilizing the Jetson board effectively. The context indicates that users may not be aware of where to find relevant logs or how to troubleshoot effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the flashing failure have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The NVMe disk or other connected hardware may not be compatible with the Jetson board, leading to errors during the flashing process.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Issues within the SDK Manager or Jetpack software could lead to failures in the flashing procedure.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect jumper settings or other misconfigurations may prevent successful communication with the board.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers on the host machine could interfere with the flashing process.

• Environmental Factors: Firewall settings on the host PC have been noted as a potential cause of timeouts during operations like NFS mounting.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be following the correct procedures for flashing, including locating and exporting necessary logs.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the flashing issue on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Jumper Settings:

   • Ensure that the jumper under the fan is correctly placed as per the documentation.

2. Export Logs:

   • Use the “EXPORT LOGS” button in the SDK Manager GUI to gather logs that can help diagnose issues.
   • If unsure about locating this option, consider sharing a screenshot of your SDK Manager interface for assistance.

3. Review Flash Log Versions:

   • Confirm which Jetpack version you are using (e.g., 5.1.2, 5.1.3, or 6.0DP) as compatibility issues may arise with different versions.

4. Firewall Settings:

   • Temporarily disable any firewall on your host PC to see if it resolves timeout errors related to NFS mounting.
   • If disabling the firewall resolves the issue, consider configuring firewall rules to allow necessary traffic instead of keeping it disabled.

5. Driver Updates:

   • Check for any available updates for your system’s drivers that might affect communication with the Jetson board.

6. Test Different Hardware Configurations:

   • If possible, try flashing without connected peripherals (like NVMe disks) to isolate whether they are causing issues.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for troubleshooting SDK Manager and flashing issues for further guidance.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • If problems persist, consider posting detailed logs and descriptions of your setup on forums dedicated to Nvidia Jetson development for community assistance.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to flashing their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.