PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW Released

Published on 05-04-2011 12:34 AM

78 Comments

The PS3 dev scene has seemed a bit dead lately, but with this latest release, it's quite clear that development is still going on behind the scenes. Geoffrey Levand has brought back what Sony once took away, OtherOS. Today he has released a dual boot custom firmware, which allows booting of OtherOS or GameOS. However, it's a bit more than Sony's typical OtherOS.

(This video is via Graf_Chokolo's method but is similar to how booting Linux via CFW looks)

This time around OtherOS has full access to GameOS, access to HV SS services (Dispatcher Manager, LPAR 1, and much more. This CFW also allows downgrading without service mode, the ability to deactivate/activate HDD/VFLASH encryption, as well as other features. At the moment this method is recommended for more advanced users until more user friendly guides are released.

PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW

Note: Currently to start OtherOS. boot_otheros.pkg then reboot.pkg and that will load petitboot. Slim users (Version 1.0-r0) you must unload the slim usb drivers in order to boot.
Firmwares:

PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW 3.41 (md5 9b439b04c4c0b841ae50c3af18bb584d)
PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW 3.50 (md5 74b4291615ceb394e0d64078d775a93d)
PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW 3.55 (md5 fac423010dc8e20030f28145a42627fb)

Tools:

create_vflash5.pkg (md5 d76700a04cd58b29970d752b73dc6a0d)
create_vflash6.pkg (md5 4ccea493c87299c3fe75ec3b093091f8)
create_vflash7.pkg (md5 78e432917ed972c415b3a0a703f4acaf)
delete_vflash5.pkg (md5 83f32c6fdf9d532c2a8203bce3852e86)
delete_vflash6.pkg (md5 573b587f04d21d40837688c39c8587bd)
delete_vflash7.pkg (md5 8366318a4fafbd769bc9df0b6e528ea1)
resize_vflash.pkg (md5 9a5cb0bcd819788749d2926111df6870)
install_otheros.pkg (md5 9e5e79fa0450e34071223c40c34a8e8a)
boot_gameos.pkg (md5 7377d1c89f4f67957cafe18a2e58d006)
boot_otheros.pkg (md5 bf425926d3d55ab59828d5b6c2a2c333)
reboot.pkg (md5 450fba966321445ec50360b21b9fa99b)
dtbImage.ps3.bin (md5 761faa303c97d1801a9ecceb472321d0)
boot_linux.sh (md5 6d00a46cd5586042c59c51f1f98e31f9)

All tools beep twice if they succeed !!!

Source code for all tools and patches is freely available. Create your own dual boot.
git.gitbrew.org/ps3/

Features:

Into HV integrated OtherOS bootloader loader (compatible with OtherOS bootloader on 3.15)
OtherOS bootloader is booted directly from HV, no GameOS is involved.
Process of booting OtherOS bootloader loader is very similar to 3.15 method
Booting Linux from HDD/USB/BD/Network
Linux with GameOS rights
Full access to all HV SS services (Dispatcher Manager) from GameOS or Linux
Full access to all System Manager services
Ability to create/modify/remove repository nodes in LPAR 1 (e.g. with ps3dm-utils or ps3hvc-utils).
This ability gives you much power over the whole system because many layers of PS3 use repository nodes to exchange information.
Enabled QA mode in Update Manager
Downgrading without USB dongle or Service Mode
Ability to deactivate/activate HDD/VFLASH encryption (e.g. with ps3stor-utils)
Suuport for ps3-utils. You can flash new OtherOS bootloader from Linux e.g.

Notes:

Tested 3.41 and 3.55 on PS3 Slim with Gentoo and Debian Squeeze but should work on PS3 Fat without problems
Bug reports are welcome, send it please to geoffrey.levand@mail.ru

Work in progress:

Creating OtherOS partitions directly on HDD (not VFLASH)
Permanently disabling HDD/VFLASH encryption
Mapping of HTAB with R/W permission
SYSCON access from LPAR 2
FreeBSD support

Installing OtherOS bootloader

Tested ONLY on PS3 models with VFLASH
During deleting of VFLASH regions GameOS will ask you to reinstall firmware, don't do it, just press PS3 button and continue
I use petitboot as OtherOS bootloader. You could use a different one.
The following order of steps is important
Delete VFLASH region 6
Delete VFLASH region 5
Create VFLASH region 5
Create VFLASH region 6
Install OtherOS bootloader on VFLASH with "Install OtherOS"

Booting OtherOS bootloader

Run "Boot OtherOS"
Reboot GameOS with "Reboot"

Creating a VFLASH partition for Linux

Notes:

Works ONLY on PS3 models with VFLASH
Warning: All your HDD data will be lost, so make a backup
I'm currently working on a solution for PS3 models with NAND flash
Resize VFLASH (creates a 40GB free space on VFLASH, if you need more then feel free to recompile it)
Reboot GameOS
Create VFLASH region 7

Installing Linux with petitboot

Installing Gentoo GNU/Linux from a Unix/Linux System

Partitioning with fdisk

Notes:

I used petitboot to install Debian and Gentoo on VFLASH
I used fdisk to partition ps3vflashh
Make sure you create a swap partition
Creating a ready to use Linux distribution images is a work in progress

Booting Linux with petitboot

Notes:

USB driver in petitboot has problems on PS3 Slim. The problem lies in Linux USB driver.
Currently i'm trying to fix this problem in Linux kernel
I temporarily use my boot_linux.sh script to boot a Linux installed on VFLASH from petitboot

Project Homepage: http://gitbrew.org/otheros/

Share
- Share this post on
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Technorati
- Twitter

Categories:

78 Comments

tg3 - 05-05-2011, 03:36 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Tranced

A quick question. (Don't set me on fire) I need to back up my PS3. My main concern is the GT5 save game I have and since my PS3 has never been online (as I don't have internet at home), I cannot simply backup my save game due to the copyright on it, which you have to update GT5 in order for that stupid idea to go away.

Can someone give me an idea as to the best option to go about when backing up, so that I may still have my GT5 save game and my Linux back. (I know of the method using someone else's internet connection. But nobody I know has internet and at work is not an option)

If you create a thread, more people will help you. This thread is not about GT5 save game.

RazorX - 05-05-2011, 03:44 AM
- Reply
i was wondering now linux has full access to the ps3 is it possible with ubuntu to play something like world of warcraft on the ps3 or shaiya which isnt as big or graphic intensive let me know please also instead of linux couldnt you get windows to run on it using something like bartpe.

Tranced - 05-05-2011, 06:07 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by tg3

If you create a thread, more people will help you. This thread is not about GT5 save game.

Sorry didn't mean to high jack. The question I had just poped into my head when I thought of backing up my PS3 for Linux. Have opened a thread. Thanks.

cawthorne - 05-05-2011, 12:05 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by jelle2503

only morons would want a dualboot OFW/CFW

there is NO interest at all from devs to create this kind of dualboot. It's easy since there already is CFW. And only people that would use this dualboot firmware, is schmucks that are too cheap to afford a legit PS3 to play online, and whining little children who want CFW and PSN, you know the whining little kids that are still crying for a 3.60 CFW, which I hope will never come.

"Too cheap to afford a an online legit PS3"

So if you don't want to go out and buy a £200 for possibly no reason, your cheap? What's wrong with not wantting your investment to lose a major part of it's functionality.

I've seen many people on here and in virtually every other forum out there ask if there is a way to not be banned, and I bet your one of them. Anyone who doesn't take a few mins to stop your console being crippled in a fundamental way is the fool in my opinion.

k0k0 - 05-05-2011, 12:29 PM
- Reply
please these are dumb questions ..... what does linux 2 the ps3 ..... what are the bootloader other OS sony's OS and game OS

carlos-PSG - 05-05-2011, 02:05 PM
- Reply
Using Geoff's name was really rude. It is one thing to take it out on Sony-the-company, but spitting in the face of individuals who rather clearly did not decide the fate of OtherOS (just look at Geoff's contributions before and since the removal!) is jut evil.

All the worst, *******.

RazorX - 05-05-2011, 05:36 PM
- Reply
is there a pic that shows which ps3s have vflash or nand my console has 3.55.1 rebug on it and the model is cechk03 pal i think it has vflash can someone confirm plz.

Ni72ous - 05-05-2011, 11:37 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by RazorX

is there a pic that shows which ps3s have vflash or nand my console has 3.55.1 rebug on it and the model is cechk03 pal i think it has vflash can someone confirm plz.

That model has 16mb nand.

This post has a list of models and nand sizes http://psgroove.com/showthread.php?8...ull=1#post9774

RazorX - 05-06-2011, 12:19 AM
- Reply
is that good or bad for me as far as this project goes.

hippoharcos-PSG - 05-06-2011, 12:23 AM
- Reply
Where can I download the add-on Linux?
I'm sorry I do not have good English knowledge.

Ni72ous - 05-06-2011, 05:50 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by RazorX

is that good or bad for me as far as this project goes.

Good, it only seems to be 256mb nand models that are a problem atm.

Khurram Sheikh - 05-06-2011, 11:15 AM
- Reply
Hi,

I managed to install everything when i'm at the screen where it says
Ftp something
Boot GameOs
Exit to Shell

How do i install linux or Ubuntu 10.1 or 9.01, can anyone tell me step by step after this stage how to install linux and guide on fdisk if required, my knowlegde is very limited in linux. Please someone help

Thanks

Todd Hallock - 05-06-2011, 02:40 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Khurram Sheikh

Hi,

I managed to install everything when i'm at the screen where it says
Ftp something
Boot GameOs
Exit to Shell

How do i install linux or Ubuntu 10.1 or 9.01, can anyone tell me step by step after this stage how to install linux and guide on fdisk if required, my knowlegde is very limited in linux. Please someone help

Thanks

I was reading yellow dog linux was made for the PS3...Is that true?

Khurram Sheikh - 05-06-2011, 04:47 PM
- Reply
yes thats true, yellow dog was for ps3.

Can anyone tell me step by step how to use fdisk and then install linux

felipegds - 05-07-2011, 12:33 PM
- Reply
The doubts I'm having is the following:

"PS3 Dual Boot GameOS / Linux CFW 3.55"- is unlocked? Like, iso games work?
If not, can I install CFW VeniX 3.55 spoof 3.60?s3up:

Tranced - 05-09-2011, 02:57 AM
- Reply
"Slim users (Version 1.0-r0) you must unload the slim usb drivers in order to boot."

Can anyone shed some light on this.

stussy - 05-09-2011, 12:29 PM
- Reply
http://www.youtube.com/user/Gitbrew#p/u/0/loXRISqGUls

a video to make it easier

vettacossx-PSG - 05-09-2011, 01:33 PM
- Reply
Anyone Wanna Know the TOOL or APP used to do these recent attacks on psn?

I posted a article here if anyone is curious what was used on this 3rd wave assault

http://ps3endusers.blogspot.com/

after reading the second post there you will ask yourself

CAN THIS EVEN BE CALLED A "HACK"?! and Would Returning OTHER OS have helped?

http://ps3endusers.blogspot.com/2011...ig-thanks.html

In regard to Anom they
SHOW THE EXPLOIT IN DETAIL HERE AND WHY IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN THEM!

http://ps3endusers.blogspot.com/2011...ws-report.html