Unable to Boot After Flash R36 to Jetson Orin Nano 8GB Devkit with SDK Manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing boot failures after flashing the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB Devkit with the R36 version using the SDK Manager. The symptoms include:

• Boot Failure: After the flashing process, the device does not complete the boot sequence.
• UEFI Screen: Initially, a UEFI screen appears showing version R36.2.0, but it quickly transitions to a screen with only a keyboard cursor.
• Manual Intervention: If the power is manually disconnected after the SDK Manager times out, a different UEFI screen appears (dated October) followed by a screen with multiple TUX icons and a keyboard cursor.

The issue occurs specifically during the boot phase after flashing, and users have noted that flashing version 5.1.2 works without issues, while version 6.0 does not boot successfully. The problem seems to be linked to using NVMe as a boot drive, as other users have reported successful flashing on different hardware configurations.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The use of NVMe SSDs or Micro SD cards may not be fully supported for booting with the R36 flashing process.

• Software Bugs: There may be bugs in the R36 firmware that prevent proper booting from external storage devices.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process could lead to boot issues.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could affect the boot sequence.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could potentially interfere with the boot process.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations during setup or flashing may lead to these symptoms.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Flashing Logs:

   • Dump the flashing log from SDK Manager and review it for any errors.
   • Use the command:

     cat /path/to/logfile
     

   • Also, collect and review serial console logs for additional insights.

2. Test Different Flash Versions:

   • If using R36 fails, try flashing version 5.1.2 which has been confirmed to work successfully by users.
   • Use SDK Manager to flash:

     sdkmanager --flash <version>
     

3. Use Alternative Hardware:

   • Attempt to perform the flashing process from a different host computer as one user reported success when switching hardware.

4. Change Boot Drive Configuration:

   • If possible, flash using internal storage (eMMC) instead of external NVMe SSD or Micro SD card, as this has shown better compatibility based on user experiences.

5. Review Configuration Settings:

   • Ensure that all configurations in SDK Manager are correctly set before initiating the flash process.
   • Double-check settings related to boot devices and storage options.

6. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure that all drivers and firmware are up-to-date before attempting another flash.
   • Check Nvidia’s official site for any updates related to Jetson Orin Nano.

7. Monitor Environmental Conditions:

   • Ensure that the device is operating within recommended temperature and power supply specifications.

8. Document Unresolved Issues:

   • If problems persist after trying these steps, document any specific error messages or symptoms encountered and consider reaching out to Nvidia’s support or community forums for further assistance.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can systematically identify and resolve issues related to boot failures after flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Devkit.