Unable to Create Directory on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an issue when attempting to create a directory on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, encountering the error message:

mkdir: cannot create directory ‘new_folder’: Read-only file system

This problem occurs regardless of the directory in which users attempt to create the folder, indicating a broader issue with filesystem permissions. The error arises after flashing the device using the Nvidia SDK Manager, suggesting that it may be related to the initial setup process.

The issue has been reported consistently among multiple users, impacting their ability to perform basic file management tasks, which is critical for development and testing purposes. The inability to create directories can hinder user experience significantly, especially for those needing to organize files or install additional software.

Possible Causes

• Read-Only File System: The filesystem may be mounted as read-only due to errors during flashing or configuration issues.

• Flashing Errors: If the SDK Manager encountered issues while flashing the device, it could lead to an improperly configured filesystem.

• Filesystem Type: The host PC’s filesystem type during flashing might affect compatibility; for instance, using non-ext4 filesystems could lead to issues.

• Hardware Issues: Problems with the SD card or NVMe drive being used could result in read/write errors.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the device settings or during the flashing process may prevent write permissions.

• User Misconfiguration: Users may inadvertently attempt operations in directories where they lack necessary permissions.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Mount Status:

   • Run the following command to check if the filesystem is mounted as read-only:

     mount | grep "on / "
     

   • If it shows ro (read-only), this confirms the issue.

2. Check Disk Usage and Filesystem Type:

   • Gather information about disk usage and filesystem types with:

     df -H -T 2>&1 | tee log_df.txt
     lsblk -f 2>&1 | tee log_lsblk.txt
     

   • Review log_df.txt and log_lsblk.txt for anomalies.

3. Remount Filesystem:

   • If the filesystem is indeed read-only, attempt to remount it as read-write:

     sudo mount -o remount,rw /
     

   • Verify if this resolves the issue by trying to create a directory again.

4. Check Flashing Process:

   • Review any logs from the SDK Manager during flashing for errors. Ensure that no errors were reported during installation.
   • If errors occurred, consider re-flashing the device.

5. Test with Different Media:

   • If possible, try using a different SD card or NVMe drive to rule out hardware issues.

6. Check Host Filesystem Type:

   • Ensure that your host PC uses ext4 as its filesystem type when using SDK Manager for flashing. If not, consider switching or using a different machine with ext4.

7. Update Firmware/Drivers:

   • Check for any available updates for drivers or firmware that might address known issues with filesystem management.

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation on setting up and troubleshooting Jetson devices for any specific guidelines related to filesystem issues.

9. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure that you are using compatible hardware and follow recommended procedures when flashing devices.
   • Regularly check for updates from Nvidia regarding software and firmware improvements.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, further investigation may be needed into specific hardware configurations or potential software bugs that have not yet been documented.