Sundararajan's Weblog
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General
December 23, 2008
Installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my PS3
Ubuntu on PS3
I wanted to install Ubuntu on my PlayStation 3.
My Setup
- PS3 is NTSC 60 GB hard disk version - updated with firmware version 2.42.
- PS3 is connected to 32 inch 720p Sony LCD TV via HDMI.
- PS3 is connected to wireless network.
Stuff needed in addition to the above
- USB keyboard.
- USB mouse.
- CD burned with Ubuntu powerpc iso (ubuntu-8.10-alternate-powerpc+ps3.iso).
Preparing PS3
- Backup your PS3 hard disk using [Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Backup Utility] menu.
I didn't bother to backup the hard disk. - Go to [Settings] -> [System Settings] > [Format Utility] menu.
- Select [Format Hard Disk] and click [Yes].
- Choose [Custom] and [Allot 10GB to the Other OS].
- Select [Quick Format] and confirm with [Yes].
Installing Ubuntu
- Connect USB keyboard and mouse to PS3.
- Insert the disk with Ubuntu iso image into PS3.
- Go to [Settings] -> [System Settings] > [Install Other OS]. PS3 will detect the install CD and copy files
and instruct you to .. - Select [Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Default System] -> [Other OS].
This will boot PS3 with other OS. From then onwards, follow the Ubuntu installation instructions.
Small hiccup
The installation was smooth except for one small issue - the installation seemed to hang in "Select and install software" step. After 6% the progress bar did not increase at all! Fortunately, this seems to be a known issue with text mode installer. Please refer to Ubuntu 8.10 release notes and bug 290234. I pressed Alt-F4 and Alt-F1 to toggle between logging console and main screen to check the progress. Eventually, the installation completed! While installing I configured network as well -- i.e., giving WEP password etc. -- not sure if this is mandatory, but in my case I have wireless connectivity and so I supplied the configuration values for the same.
Switching between Operating Systems
- From Ubuntu to Game OS, use the command
sudo boot-game-os - From Game OS to Ubuntu, use the menu
[Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Default System] -> [Other OS]
Few Screenshots
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Comments ( 4 )
Ok yes you can do it, but of what use is a ps3 with linux installed?
Rob: for now, it is not more than just curiosity.
I find the browser on the ps3 a load of shite so that's why I'm installing linux.
The use?????
all that your mind can imagine...
ps3 became a pc with the ability of surfing internet...
seriously not with the pad :-P with firefox see email with thunderbird watch and modify photos with gimp play tons of emulators... watch 720p or 1080p movies downloaded by azureus orrr what you want :-D