Serial Console Log: ASSERT [FvNorFlashStandaloneMm

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing boot failures with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically encountering an assertion error during the boot process. The error message displayed is:

ASSERT [FvNorFlashStandaloneMm] /out/nvidia/optee.t234-uefi/StandaloneMmOptee_RELEASE/edk2-nvidia/Silicon/NVIDIA/Drivers/FvbForFlashDxe/FvbNorFlashStandaloneMm.c (937): ((BOOLEAN) (0==1))

This issue typically arises when attempting to boot the device after a failed or incomplete setup. Users have reported that after this error appears, they are unable to execute any further commands through the serial console.

The problem has been noted during attempts to reflash the SD card using Balena, but users found that this method did not resolve the issue. The frequency of this problem appears to be consistent among users who have encountered similar boot failures, significantly impacting their ability to utilize the device for development or testing purposes.

Possible Causes

• Bootloader Corruption: The assertion error indicates that the bootloader may be corrupted or malfunctioning, preventing the system from booting properly.

• Hardware Issues: There could be underlying hardware defects affecting the board’s ability to initialize correctly.

• Software Bugs: Potential bugs within the firmware or operating system may lead to unexpected behavior during boot.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings or configurations during setup could contribute to failure in loading the operating system.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers might cause conflicts that prevent successful booting.

• User Errors: Mistakes during flashing or setup processes could lead to improper installation of necessary components.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Diagnosing the Problem:

   • Connect to the serial console and note any error messages displayed during the boot process.
   • Verify that all connections and hardware components are securely attached and functioning.

2. Reflashing the Board:

   • Since changing the SD card did not work, it is recommended to flash the entire board using SDK Manager from a compatible x86 host PC.
   • Follow these steps:
     • Download and install SDK Manager on your x86 host PC.
     • Connect your Jetson Orin Nano Dev board to the PC via USB.
     • Launch SDK Manager and select the appropriate Jetson platform.
     • Choose "Flash" as your action and follow on-screen instructions to complete the flashing process.

3. Gathering System Information:

   • Use terminal commands such as dmesg or journalctl (if accessible) to gather logs that may provide insight into what went wrong during boot.

4. Isolating Hardware Issues:

   • Test with a different power supply or USB cable to rule out power issues.
   • If possible, try using another Jetson Orin Nano Dev board to determine if the issue persists across devices.

5. Updating Firmware and Drivers:

   • Ensure that all firmware and drivers are up-to-date by checking Nvidia’s official documentation for any available updates.
   • Install any recommended patches or updates through SDK Manager.

6. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always ensure that you are using compatible hardware and software versions when setting up your Jetson device.
   • Regularly back up your configurations and data to prevent loss in case of similar issues in the future.

7. Recommended Approach:

   • Multiple users have reported success by reflashing the entire board using SDK Manager, making this a highly recommended solution for resolving boot issues related to corrupted bootloaders.

If issues persist after following these steps, further investigation may be necessary, including reaching out to Nvidia support or consulting additional community forums for advice on more complex troubleshooting techniques.