Timeout Issue During Flashing L4T 36.2 on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a timeout issue when attempting to flash the L4T 36.2 version on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The symptoms include:

• A failure to boot up, indicated by the message "Waiting for target to boot-up… Timeout."
• Errors during the flashing process, such as "Error: Could not stat device /dev/mmcblk3 – No such file or directory" and "RTNETLINK answers: File exists."
• Inconsistent results when using different USB devices or configurations, with some users reporting partial progress before encountering errors.

The problem occurs during the setup phase when users are trying to flash the device with the new L4T version after making modifications to the bootloader configuration. The hardware specifications include the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano and a custom baseboard. The issue appears to be relatively consistent, impacting users’ ability to successfully program the device and thus affecting their development workflow.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: There may be incompatibilities between the custom baseboard and the Orin Nano, particularly if specific configurations are not supported by L4T 36.2.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The transition from L4T 35 to L4T 36.2 might introduce bugs or conflicts that were not present in earlier versions, affecting the flashing process.

• Configuration Errors: Users have modified the bootloader settings (e.g., cvb_eeprom_read_size), which could lead to incorrect configurations that prevent successful flashing.

• Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers may hinder proper communication between the host machine and the Jetson board during the flashing process.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance during flashing, causing timeouts.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect command usage or failure to follow updated flashing procedures can lead to errors during the process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address this issue, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and potential solutions:

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that only essential devices are connected to the Jetson board during flashing (e.g., avoid unnecessary USB peripherals).
   • If issues persist, try connecting a keyboard and mouse as suggested by forum users.

2. Check Flash Command:

   • Review and update your flash command based on L4T 36.2 requirements. Ensure you are not using commands from L4T 35 without modifications.
   • Example command structure:

     sudo ./flash.sh <board_name> <target_device>
     

3. Inspect Serial Console Logs:

   • Collect and analyze serial console logs for detailed error messages.
   • Use logs like nvidia-serial.log to identify specific points of failure in the flashing process.

4. Confirm Device Recognition:

   • Check if /dev/mmcblk3 is being recognized by running:

     ls /dev/mmcblk*
     

   • If it does not appear, ensure that your device is properly connected and powered.

5. Update Host Software:

   • Ensure that your host machine has all necessary software updates and that you are using compatible versions of SDKs and drivers for L4T 36.2.

6. Revert Configuration Changes:

   • If modifications were made to tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts, consider reverting these changes temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
   • Revert cvb_eeprom_read_size settings back to defaults unless specific changes are confirmed to be necessary.

7. Use Alternative Flashing Methods:

   • If standard methods fail, consider using alternative tools or methods for flashing, such as using an SD card image if applicable.

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any updates regarding L4T 36.2 flashing procedures and requirements.
   • Check for any firmware upgrades or patches that might address known issues with this version.

9. Report Unresolved Issues:

   • If problems continue after following these steps, gather all relevant logs and error messages, then report them in forums or contact Nvidia support for further assistance.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve their issues with flashing L4T 36.2 on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.