Installing Linux on Your PlayStation 3
It’s no secret that Sony’s PlayStation 3 is one of the most popular gaming consoles in the world. However, it can be more than just a gaming console. You can install Linux on your PlayStation 3 to turn it into a fully functioning desktop computer. It is perfectly legal to do so and, as a matter of fact, Sony even allows for this as the company included an “OtherOS Install” option in the cross menu bar (XMB). even further, Sony named Fixstar Solutions’ (formerly Terra Soft Solutions) Yellow Dog Linux distribution as the official distribution for the PS3. So with Sony’s blessing, installing Linux is perfectly legal and it will not void your warranty.
Installing Linux on your PlayStation 3 allows for your already first-rate gaming console and Blu-ray player to be an additional home computer. You can surf the web with a feature-rich browser like FireFox, create documents and spreadsheets using open source applications such as OpenOffice, communicate with friends and family using instant messaging applications, and it allows for a fully featured desktop environment just like a regular home computer will offer.
Remember, doing this will not take away from your PlayStation 3’s native operating system. It will still work as a gaming console but installing Linux to its hard drive will partition the console’s hard drive so that both can live and work together without corrupting the other’s capabilities.
If you are ready to take the plunge and make your PlayStation 3 into a more robust and feature-rich console, the first thing you should do before doing anything else is back up your files. Repeat, BACK UP YOUR FILES.
This cannot be said enough. Though installing Linux on your PS3 will not erase its operating system, it will erase any saved games. If you do not want to lose them, back up your data.
Installing Linux on your PS3 will create two partitions on your PS3’s hard drive. Do not worry about this as it is perfectly normal and it is the only way to do it. Once you install Linux on your PS3, there will be two operating systems on your gaming console: the native GameOS and the Linux OS. The native operating system allows you to play all the games by creating a channel of communication between you and the system’s hardware. So when you are playing a game, scrolling through the cross menu bar (XMB), listening to music or watching movies, the GameOS allows for this to happen. Linux will run on top of the GameOS which will then provide the link between Linux and the PS3 hardware.
You do not have to know the technical details of how installing Linux on your PS3 will effect or will not effect your gaming console, but it is a good idea to know that the GameOS is the gateway as it provides you access to Linux and creates a sense of continuity. This means that you can enjoy a high quality desktop environment with your Linux OS.
So the question then becomes, is it worth installing Linux? Aside from the uber nerd factor of having Linux on your PS3, you can browse the Internet, create text documents or spreadsheets using open source software like OpenOffice, use instant messaging clients to keep in touch with friends and family, and the cool thing is that once you install Linux and you end up being that uncomfortable with it, you can actually run Windows on your PS3 through what’s called an “emulator.”
There are many distributions of Linux out there but Sony actually recommends Fixstar Solutions (formerly Terra Soft Solutions) as the Linux distribution of choice. However, other distributions can work with your PS3. Ubuntu, Gentoo, Debian, OpenSUSE, and Fedora all work. Though if you are first starting out, Yellow Dog Linux is the one you should install before trying the other distributions.
Gaming consoles are generally designed so that no third party system can run on them without some serious hacking skills. Most of the time, doing this is illegal and will certainly void the manufacturer’s warranty. However, your PlayStation 3 allows for this and Sony condones it.
Your PlayStation 3 uses the IBM-designed Cell microprocessor as its CPU. With this microprocessor, your PS3 is capable of surfing the Internet, creating text files and spreadsheets with free applications such as OpenOffice, and other features you find on any regular home desktop computer. For anyone wanting to personalize your system, installing Linux is the way to go.
There are many free documents out there that will show anyone how to install Linux on your PlayStation 3 console. But if you are hesitant about doing this yourself or just do not want to take the time to do it but want to take advantage of a Linux-installed PS3, you can buy a guide for around $40 that will do it all for you.
Also, your PlayStation 3 comes in two flavors of hard drive capacity: 40 or 80 GB. This is sufficient for your PS3 but if you want to use your PS3 as a home computer, and if you are reading this you are thinking about doing this really hard, you may want to think about upgrading to a larger hard drive. This is easy to do as the console uses a 2.5-inch laptop drive and an upgrade can be easily bought for not too much.
For anyone who wants to completely customize the PS3 gaming console, installing Linux is the way to do it. Do not worry if this is going to cost extra. Linux is completely free. You are able to download any distribution of Linux for free but if you would like to have it delivered to you, you will most likely have to pay a shipping cost from the company who develops whatever distribution you want to use.
What’s a “distribution?” In short, it’s one company’s version of the Linux operating system. For example, Canonical develops the Ubuntu distribution of Linux, Fixstars Solutions is the company behind Yellow Dog Linux, and the Fedora Project, sponsored by Red Hat, is behind the Fedora distribution of Linux. These are few of the popular examples of Linux distributions. If you are thinking of installing Linux on your PS3 console, you will want to take a closer look at Yellow Dog Linux and Ubuntu since these two distributions seem to have the most support among those who have already installed Linux on their own PS3. As a matter fact, Yellow Dog Linux was specially developed for PS3 users so this is what you may want to use before thinking of using any other distribution.
Whatever you decide, installing Linux on your PS3 is a good idea if you want to completely customize your gaming console and have another fully functioning home desktop computer. Doing this does not take away your PS3’s native gaming capabilities whatsoever. Remember, Sony designed the PS3 to be capable of running Linux so do not let this be the reason why you do not want to install it. Above all else, have fun with it! That is pretty much the point of having this first-rate gaming system.
Anyway, let’s get down to it, shall we?
1. The first thing you need to do is back up your files!
- You will lose all of your saved games when installing Linux so back them up!
2. Download Linux
- I am assuming you are installing Yellow Dog Linux so that is what I will refer to throughout the install process.
- Download Yellow Dog Linux and burn it to a disc. You can do this by going to Yellow Dog Linux’s website.
3. Attach your PS3 console to a monitor or HDTV using a HDMI cable or a Component cable.
4. Attach a game controller, a USB keyboard, and a mouse to your PS3.
5. Power up your PS3.
6. Format the hard disk.
- Setting —> System Settings and hit ENTER on your keyboard or the “X” on the controller. Then…
- Format Utility —>Format Hard Disk —>Yes
- You will be prompted to select a partition setting for your hard drive. Select “Custom”
- The console will give you three options:
1. Use All for the PS3 System
2. Allot 10GB to the Other OS
3. Allot 10GB to the PS3 System
- If you have a 20GB PS3 console, I would select Allot 10GB to the PS3 System. This will leave about 6.5GB for Linux which isn’t enough for a full install but it will be enough for the default YDL install.
*side note: If you do have the 20GB PS3, I highly recommend upgrading your hard drive capacity.
- Hit Quick Format and Yes
- Hit “X” on the controller. You are now rebooting your PS3
7. Insert the Yellow Dog Linux DVD that you have downloaded.
8. Settings —> System Settings —>Install Other OS
9. Confirm discovery of “/PS3/otheros/otheros.bld”
10. Hit “X” to start the installation
11. On the GameOS menu, select Other OS
12. Settings—>System Settings—>Default System—>Other OS
13. Quit the PS3 system and start the other system. Select Yes.
14. Power up your PS3 system again.
15. When you boot up, you will see a “kboot:” prompt.
- press the TAB key on your USB keyboard. This will have you scrolling through resolution options for your monitor. You should select the highest resolution for your monitor.
- DO NOT SELECT THESE OPTIONS:
- install_ppc32
- install_ppc32_text
- install_ppc64
- install_ppc32_text
- CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THESE OPTIONS:
- install_ps3_1080i
- install_ps3_1080p
- install_ps3_480i
- install_ps3_720p
- If you’re not sure of your monitor’s capability, select the 720p option.
- If your monitor has only the composite cable, you should select the 480i option.
- Hit ENTER
16. Select your language and hit NEXT
17. Select your keyboard configuration and hit NEXT
- If this is the first time you are installing Linux on your PS3, you may get a warning about your partition table ps3da being unreadable. This is normal. Select Yes and move on.
18. You will now partition the drive. If you are installing Linux for the first time, you will want to select Remove all partitions or Keep all partitions and use existing free space.
- You can use the Custom option but Yellow Dog Linux recommends that advanced users should select this option.
19. The default DHCP will automatically get an IP address from your DSL or cable modem (or office router). YDL recommends that advanced users should manually configure this part. Click NEXT
20. Select your time zone and click NEXT
21. Choose your password. It must be at least 8 characters long, both letters and numbers. It is also case sensitive. Click NEXT
22. You will then need to select one of the predefined packages.
- Office and Productivity (most users will want this one)
- Software Development (for software engineers)
- Web server (for sys admins)
- Click Next
23. During this time, the installer will check for dependencies. This takes about 3-4 minutes.
24. After this check, click NEXT to install. This can take up to 15 minutes. Once the installation is done, click Reboot to restart the PS3 console. Then, remove the DVD (if you leave it in, your system will want to install Yellow Dog Linux again).
25. Have fun! Once your PS3 has restarted, you’ll be asked to read and accept the license agreements, set the date/time, and all the general setup aspects that come with installing an OS. Other than that, you should be good to go!
If you do end up wanting to install Linux on your PS3 but all of these steps seem intimidating, take your time and take a look at the free guides that are widely available online. If this process still feels a bit uncomfortable and you would like help, take a look at this installer.
It provides you with everything that you will need and installs everything that you want as well. Again, have fun!
