Trouble flashing Linux onto Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash Linux onto the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the Nvidia SDK Manager on a virtual machine running Ubuntu 20.04. The specific symptom reported is that the flashing process fails at approximately 75%, displaying an error message indicating that the target hardware is in a failed state. This issue occurs during the setup process, particularly when selecting manual setup instead of automatic setup. The Jetson Orin Nano is reported to be fresh out of the box, suggesting that hardware defects are unlikely.

The problem appears to be consistent, as it has been reported by at least one user, and it significantly impacts the user experience by preventing successful installation of the operating system on the device. The context of using a virtual machine for this operation may play a crucial role in the failure.

Possible Causes

• Virtual Machine Instability: The use of a virtual machine (VM) for flashing may lead to instability during USB connections with the Jetson device, which can interrupt the flashing process.

• Unsupported Environment: Nvidia does not officially support flashing operations conducted within a VM environment, which could contribute to compatibility issues and failures.

• Configuration Errors: Selecting manual setup might introduce additional complexity or misconfigurations that could lead to failure during the flashing process.

• Driver Issues: If the VM does not have proper USB drivers or configurations set up, it may fail to communicate effectively with the Jetson Orin Nano.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use a Physical Machine:

   • If possible, switch from using a virtual machine to a physical machine running Ubuntu 20.04 or another supported operating system. This is recommended as VMs can introduce instability during USB operations.

2. Check USB Connections:

   • Ensure that all USB connections are secure and functioning properly. Test with different USB ports or cables if available.

3. Update SDK Manager:

   • Verify that you are using the latest version of the Nvidia SDK Manager. An outdated version may contain bugs that have been resolved in more recent updates.

4. Review Configuration Settings:

   • Double-check your selections in the SDK Manager, particularly ensuring that you have correctly configured any manual setup options.

5. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for guidance on flashing procedures and supported environments. This can provide insights into any specific requirements or limitations.

6. Test Different Setup Options:

   • If you initially selected manual setup, consider trying automatic setup instead to see if this resolves the issue.

7. Monitor System Resources:

   • While running the SDK Manager in a VM, check system resources (CPU, RAM) to ensure that there are no bottlenecks affecting performance.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • If issues persist after trying these steps, consider posting detailed information about your setup and errors on relevant forums or community support channels for further assistance.

9. Document Any Errors:

   • Keep a log of any error messages or behaviors observed during the flashing process as this information can be useful for troubleshooting or when seeking help from others.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users can increase their chances of successfully flashing Linux onto their Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.