Unable to flash Jetson Orin Nano with SDK Manager on WSL

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties flashing JetPack 5.1.2 to a Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit using the NVIDIA SDK Manager (version 1.9.3) on Ubuntu 18.04 running in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). The installation process fails at approximately 5.5% completion, with various error messages reported. The primary issues seem to be related to file system operations and package management within the WSL environment.

Key symptoms include:

• Installation failure around 5.5% progress
• Errors related to dpkg and chroot operations
• File system errors, such as "mknod: /home/ubuntu/nvidia/nvidia_sdk/JetPack_5.1.2_Linux_JETSON_ORIN_NANO_TARGETS/Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/dev/random: File exists"
• Multiple dependent components failing due to the initial error

The problem occurs during the flashing process and prevents users from successfully setting up their Jetson Orin Nano devices.

Possible Causes

1. WSL2 limitations: The Windows Subsystem for Linux may not fully support all the operations required for flashing the Jetson device, particularly those involving low-level system calls or hardware access.

2. Incompatibility with Ubuntu 18.04 on WSL: The specific combination of Ubuntu 18.04 and WSL2 might not be optimal for the SDK Manager operations.

3. File system discrepancies: The error messages suggest issues with file system operations, which could be due to differences between the WSL environment and a native Linux system.

4. Insufficient permissions: The WSL environment might not have the necessary permissions to perform certain operations required during the flashing process.

5. Network or connectivity issues: Problems with the connection between the host system and the Jetson device could lead to incomplete or failed installations.

6. SDK Manager version compatibility: The version of SDK Manager used (1.9.3) might have known issues with the specific Jetson Orin Nano setup.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use a native Linux environment:

   • The most recommended solution is to use a native Ubuntu 18.04 or 20.04 installation on a physical machine, rather than WSL2.
   • If possible, set up a dedicated Linux machine or dual-boot system for Jetson development.

2. Try alternative flashing methods:

   • Use the manual flashing process as described in the Jetson Linux Developer Guide:

     https://docs.nvidia.com/jetson/archives/r35.3.1/DeveloperGuide/text/SD/FlashingSupport.html
     

   • Follow the steps outlined for flashing the rootfs to an NVMe SSD.

3. Update SDK Manager:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of SDK Manager compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Download the latest version from the NVIDIA Developer website.

4. Verify WSL2 setup:

   • Double-check that your WSL2 environment is correctly configured according to NVIDIA’s guidelines:

     https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-wsl/index.html
     

   • Ensure all prerequisites are met and WSL2 is up to date.

5. Check USB connection:

   • Try using different USB ports and cables to rule out connectivity issues.
   • Ensure the Jetson device is properly recognized by the host system.

6. Attempt partial installation:

   • If flashing the entire system fails, try flashing only essential components or the bootloader first.
   • This can be done using manual flashing commands as described in the Jetson Linux Developer Guide.

7. Verify Jetson Orin Nano recovery mode:

   • Ensure the device is properly set to recovery mode before starting the flashing process.
   • Consult the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide for specific instructions on entering recovery mode.

8. Use alternative boot methods:

   • If unable to flash directly to the NVMe SSD, consider using an SD card for initial setup.
   • Once booted from the SD card, you can attempt to install the system onto the NVMe SSD using command-line tools.

9. Seek community support:

   • If issues persist, consider posting detailed logs and system information on the NVIDIA Developer Forums for more specific assistance.
   • Include information about your exact hardware setup, WSL2 configuration, and any error messages encountered.

10. Consider using a virtual machine:

    • As an alternative to WSL2, try setting up a full Ubuntu virtual machine using software like VirtualBox or VMware.
    • This may provide a more complete Linux environment for the flashing process.

Remember that using WSL2 for Jetson development is not officially supported by NVIDIA. For the best experience and reliability, it is strongly recommended to use a native Linux environment on a physical machine when working with Jetson devices.