Unable to Boot Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board with SD Card Method

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties booting the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the SD card method as described in the Jetson Orin Nano user guide. The specific symptoms include:

• Initial welcome page and "attempting direct boot" message
• Fan stops and display loses signal
• Green light remains on, indicating the board is still powered
• Fan stops working, but heat is still generated
• No further boot progress or user interface access

This issue occurs during the initial setup process, preventing users from accessing the system and causing confusion, especially for those new to the Jetson platform.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible JetPack version: The user initially attempted to use JetPack 6.0, which may not be compatible with their specific Jetson Orin Nano model.

2. Incorrect flashing procedure: There might be errors in the SD card flashing process, leading to a corrupted or incomplete system image.

3. Hardware compatibility issues: The SD card used (SanDisk Ultra 128GB) may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.

4. Power supply problems: Inadequate or unstable power supply could cause the board to partially boot but fail to complete the process.

5. Firmware or BIOS issues: Outdated or incompatible firmware on the Jetson board could prevent proper booting.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use a compatible JetPack version:

   • The user reported success with JetPack 5.1.2.
   • Download JetPack 5.1.2 from the NVIDIA website.
   • Flash the SD card with this version using the recommended tools.

2. Verify SD card compatibility:

   • Ensure the SD card meets the specifications recommended by NVIDIA for Jetson devices.
   • Try using a different SD card if problems persist.

3. Check power supply:

   • Verify that the power supply meets the requirements for the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Use a multimeter to check if the power supply is delivering the correct voltage and current.

4. Use SDK Manager for flashing:

   • As suggested, use NVIDIA SDK Manager on a Linux system to flash the Jetson board.
   • This method ensures proper flashing and reduces the chance of errors.

5. Access Serial Debug Console:

   • For advanced troubleshooting, use the Serial Debug Console as recommended.
   • Follow the guide at JetsonHacks for setting up the Serial Debug Console.
   • This will provide low-level access to diagnose boot issues.

6. Check for firmware updates:

   • Visit the NVIDIA Jetson download center to check for any available firmware updates for your specific model.
   • Apply any relevant updates following NVIDIA’s instructions.

7. Verify flashing process:

   • Double-check that you’ve followed all steps in the Jetson Orin Nano user guide correctly.
   • Pay special attention to any model-specific instructions or warnings.

8. Community support:

   • If issues persist, consult the NVIDIA Developer Forums for additional support.
   • Provide detailed information about your setup, including exact model numbers and steps taken.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to successfully boot their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the SD card method. Remember to always use the latest compatible JetPack version for your specific Jetson model to avoid compatibility issues.