Unable to boot the image to JETSON ORIN NANO using sd-card

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties booting the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board after attempting to flash an image onto an SD card. The main symptoms include:

• The device does not boot after selecting the SD card for booting.
• Users have followed the official flashing instructions but still encounter issues.
• Attempts to flash the image using both Windows and Linux have failed to yield results.
• Users have experienced inconsistent behavior, such as the fan stopping and the monitor turning off during installation, raising concerns about normal operation.

The issue seems prevalent among users who are setting up their devices for the first time, particularly during the initial boot process after flashing. The hardware in question is the Jetson Orin Nano Dev kit, and users have mentioned using Ubuntu 20.04 and SDK Manager for setup.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes could be contributing to this issue:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If the SD card is not compatible or defective, it may prevent proper booting.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the flashing software or conflicts with existing software on the host machine.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process could lead to an unbootable image.

• Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers on the host machine may hinder communication with the Jetson device.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could impact device performance during boot.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect connections or settings by users could lead to boot failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of not being able to boot from the SD card, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure that all connections are secure and that you are using a compatible SD card (recommended minimum class).
   • Check that you are using the correct pins for any necessary connections, particularly if utilizing a serial debug console.

2. Use Serial Debug Console:

   • Connect to the Jetson Orin Nano via a serial debug console to gather logs that can help diagnose the issue. This can provide insight into what happens during boot.

3. Flashing Process:

   • Re-flash the image following these steps:
     • Use only L4T OS instead of specifying JetPack SDK during flashing.
     • Follow instructions from Nvidia’s official guide carefully.
     • Ensure that you are using a reliable USB cable for connection.

4. Check Logs:

   • After attempting to boot, check logs for any error messages. If errors occur, they may provide clues about what went wrong (e.g., hash sum mismatches).

5. Install Necessary Packages:

   • Once successfully booted, run:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install nvidia-jetpack
     

   • If you encounter errors related to package lists, consider clearing cached files:

     sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
     sudo apt update
     

6. Force Recovery Mode:

   • If issues persist, try putting the device into force recovery mode before re-flashing.

7. Test with Different Configurations:

   • If possible, test with another SD card or a different host machine to rule out hardware-related issues.

8. Documentation and Updates:

   • Regularly check Nvidia’s documentation for updates on drivers and firmware that may resolve known issues.

9. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences from other users who faced similar issues.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their issues with booting the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board from an SD card. If problems persist after attempting these solutions, further investigation into specific error messages may be necessary.