Unable to flash my Jetson Orin Nano SOM from Ubuntu 20.04 PC

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues while attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit from an Ubuntu 20.04 PC. The primary symptom is an error that occurs during the flashing process, specifically indicating a failure to read certain files and a USB timeout. The issue arises when users execute the command:

sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal

The error log reveals multiple warnings and errors, including:

• Missing files such as user_release_version.
• USB communication failures, indicated by messages like "might be timeout in USB write."
• Unsupported configurations related to memory carveouts.

This issue appears consistently across various attempts and configurations, significantly impacting the user experience by preventing successful flashing of the device.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The use of Ubuntu 20.04 may not be fully compatible with the flashing process, as noted by users recommending Ubuntu 18.04 instead.
• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Errors in the flashing scripts or conflicts with the installed software packages can lead to failures.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect parameters or missing configurations in the flash command may cause problems.
• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for USB devices may lead to communication failures during the flashing process.
• Environmental Factors: USB cable quality or port issues (e.g., using a faulty cable) can contribute to timeout errors.
• User Errors: Misconfigurations or incorrect usage of commands can lead to failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the flashing issue with the Jetson Orin Nano, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Compatibility:

   • Ensure you are using Ubuntu 18.04 instead of 20.04, as many users report success with this version.

2. Verify Command Syntax:

   • Double-check the syntax of your flash command for any typos or incorrect parameters.

3. Install Required Packages:

   • Ensure all necessary dependencies are installed on your host machine:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get install -y sshpass abootimg nfs-kernel-server libxml2-utils binutils qemu-user-static python
     

4. Use Serial Console for Debugging:

   • Connect a serial console to monitor logs during the flashing process. This can provide insights into where the failure occurs.

5. Change USB Cables and Ports:

   • Try different USB cables and ports, as some cables may not support data transfer adequately.

6. Power Cycle the Device:

   • After a failed attempt, power cycle the Jetson Orin Nano before trying to flash again.

7. Use Direct Flash Commands:

   • Instead of using SDK Manager, try directly running:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

   • This method has worked for some users who encountered issues with the GUI.

8. Check Firewall Settings:

   • Disable any firewall settings that might interfere with NFS connections between your host and the Jetson device.

9. Test with Different Host Machines:

   • If possible, attempt flashing from another host computer to rule out hardware-specific issues.

10. Update Firmware and Drivers:

    • Ensure that your Nvidia SDK and JetPack versions are up-to-date. Consider using JetPack 6 after successfully flashing an earlier version like 5.12.

11. Use SD Card Image for Initial Setup:

    • If persistent issues occur, consider using a pre-flashed SD card image as a workaround before attempting to pivot to NVMe storage.

12. Check Logs for Specific Errors:

    • Review logs generated during flashing for specific error messages that can guide further troubleshooting efforts.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit.