name: backup-restore description: Backup and restore a reComputer Jetson system image using the L4T backup/restore script. Requires Ubuntu host, USB-C cable, and the matching JetPack BSP package.
Backup and Restore reComputer Jetson System Image
Hardware required: Ubuntu host PC, USB-C cable, reComputer J3011 (JetPack 5.1.3). The backup and restore operations use the same script with different flags — complete Phases 1–4 for both operations.
Execution model
Run one phase at a time. After each phase:
- Relay all command output to the user.
- If output contains
[STOP]→ stop immediately, consult the failure decision tree below. - If output ends with
[OK]→ tell the user "Phase N complete" and proceed to the next phase.
Prerequisites
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host OS | Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 (native, not VM) |
| Cable | USB-C data cable ≤1.5 m |
| BSP package | Jetson_Linux_R35.5.0_aarch64.tbz2 (JetPack 5.1.3) |
| Flashing package | mfi_recomputer-orin (Seeed massflash image) |
| Disk space | ≥64 GB free on host for backup image |
Phase 1 — Enter force recovery mode (physical steps, no commands)
Do these steps in order:
- Power off the reComputer J3011 completely.
- Locate the REC (recovery) button and GND pin on the carrier board.
- Hold the REC button (or short REC to GND with a jumper).
- While holding REC, connect the USB-C cable from the Jetson to the Ubuntu host.
- Apply power to the Jetson; wait 2–3 seconds, then release REC / remove the jumper.
Verify on the host:
lsusb | grep -i nvidia
# Expected: Bus 00x Device 00x: ID 0955:7045 NVIDIA Corp. APX
[OK] when the NVIDIA APX device appears. [STOP] if it does not — see failure decision tree.
Phase 2 — Download and extract BSP
Download Jetson_Linux_R35.5.0_aarch64.tbz2 from the NVIDIA L4T archive, then extract:
tar -xvzf Jetson_Linux_R35.5.0_aarch64.tbz2
# Produces: Linux_for_Tegra/
[OK] when extraction completes without errors and Linux_for_Tegra/ directory exists.
Phase 3 — Merge BSP into flashing package
Copy BSP files into the Seeed massflash package without overwriting existing files:
sudo cp -rn Linux_for_Tegra/* mfi_recomputer-orin/
[OK] when the command completes with no errors.
Phase 4 — Confirm board name
Find the correct board config name before running backup or restore:
cd mfi_recomputer-orin
ls | grep "\.conf"
# Note the board name, e.g. recomputer-orin-j3011.conf → board name is recomputer-orin-j3011
[OK] when you have identified the .conf filename to use as the -b argument.
Phase 5a — Run backup
# Run from inside mfi_recomputer-orin/
sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -e nvme0n1 -b recomputer-orin
Replace recomputer-orin with the board name identified in Phase 4 (without .conf).
Expected: script prints progress and ends with a success message. The backup image is written to the backup/ subdirectory.
[OK] when the script exits cleanly. [STOP] on any error — see failure decision tree.
Phase 5b — Run restore (optional, only if restoring)
Ensure the device is in force recovery mode (redo Phase 1), then:
# Run from inside mfi_recomputer-orin/
sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -e nvme0n1 -r recomputer-orin
Replace recomputer-orin with the same board name used during backup.
[OK] when the script exits cleanly and the device reboots. [STOP] on any error — see failure decision tree.
Failure decision tree
| Symptom | Action |
|---|---|
lsusb shows no NVIDIA APX device | Device not in recovery mode. Redo Phase 1. Try a different USB port. Confirm cable is data-rated (not charge-only). |
| Recovery mode entered but device disappears mid-operation | Insufficient power or bad cable. Use the official power adapter and a cable ≤1.5 m. |
l4t_backup_restore.sh: No such file or directory | BSP merge incomplete. Rerun Phase 3 and confirm tools/backup_restore/ exists inside mfi_recomputer-orin/. |
| Script fails with "board not found" or config error | Wrong board name passed to -b. Redo Phase 4 and use the exact filename stem from ls *.conf. |
| Backup script stalls or times out | USB instability. Flash from bare-metal Ubuntu (not a VM). Reconnect USB and retry from Phase 1. |
| Restore completes but device won't boot | Backup image may be corrupt or from a mismatched board. Verify the backup was taken from the same device and board config. |
Reference files
references/source.body.md— full Seeed Wiki tutorial with screenshots and additional context (reference only)