PS3 Linux Install Guides updated with support for Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu -

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Glevland and gitbrew have once again updated their site with new guides for a slew of distributions for your linux desires on the PS3!

Via Twitter :

PS3 Linux Install Guides updated with support for Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu - Main Page - Wikibrew. RT for support.

Source for the actual guides : PS3:Linux - Wikibrew

Sounds pretty good! I should have my guide out sometime this weekend. I hope he slows down a bit he's adding so much I can't keep up!


Example of the guide for Ubuntu :

Ubuntu

Debootstrap HOWTO by glevand (geoffrey.levand@mail.ru)
(Redone by snowy)
(Updated by thom)
-------------------------------------------------------
Installing Ubuntu Lucid (10.04) with debootstrap on petitboot
--------------------------------------------------------
For different versions of Ubuntu, just change all occurrences of lucid, to natty or whatever build you would like.

You can also edit the config files in whatever text editor you would like. Nano and Vi are the preferred text editors

- Configuring the base system

1. umount /dev/ps3dd2
2. mkdir /mnt/ubuntu
3. mkfs.ext3 /dev/ps3dd2
4. mount /dev/ps3dd2 /mnt/ubuntu
5. rm -rf /mnt/ubuntu/*
6. debootstrap --arch powerpc lucid /mnt/ubuntu Index of /
7. mount -t proc none /mnt/ubuntu/proc
8. mount --rbind /dev /mnt/ubuntu/dev
9. LANG=C chroot /mnt/ubuntu /bin/bash
10. export TERM=xterm-color

- Mounting partitions
if you want to use nano editor you will need to type "apt-get install nano" without quotes

File /etc/fstab
----------------

/dev/ps3dd2 / ext3 defaults 0 1
/dev/ps3vram none swap sw 0 0
/dev/ps3dd1 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/sr0 /mnt/cdrom auto noauto,ro 0 0
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
shm /dev/shm tmpfs nodev,nosuid,noexec 0 0

- Setting timezone

1. dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

- Configuring networking

1. echo "Name of your computer here" > /etc/hostname

File /etc/network/interfaces
-----------------------------

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

File /etc/resolv.conf (cat /etc/resolv.conf, if you see nameservers already skip this step)
----------------------

nameserver 192.168.1.1

- Configuring apt

File /etc/apt/sources.list
---------------------------
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates main restricted
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates restricted
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security main restricted
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security main restricted
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security universe
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security multiverse
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security multiverse

OR (Use the following if you have trouble with above sources.)

deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid main restricted
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid main restricted
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates main restricted
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid-updates main restricted
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid universe
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates universe
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid-updates universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid multiverse
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-updates multiverse
deb-src Index of /pub/ubuntu lucid-updates multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security main restricted
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security main restricted
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security universe
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security universe
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security multiverse
deb-src Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-security multiverse
deb Index of /ubuntu-ports lucid-proposed restricted main multiverse universe


1. apt-get update

- Configuring locales and keyboard

1. apt-get install locales
2. dpkg-reconfigure locales
3. apt-get install console-data
4. dpkg-reconfigure console-data

- Finishing touches

1. tasksel install standard
2. apt-get clean
3. passwd
4. apt-get install build-essential ncurses-dev git-core gitosis
5. mkswap /dev/ps3dd1
6. swapon /dev/ps3dd1

- Installing kernel

1. cd /usr/src
2. git clone git://git.gitbrew.org/ps3/ps3linux/linux-2.6.git
3. ln -sf linux-2.6 linux
4. cd linux
5. cp ps3_linux_config .config
6. make menuconfig
7. make
8. make install
9. make modules_install

If you compile your kernel on PS3 then make sure you activate swap because
compiling kernel needs much RAM. I used /dev/ps3dd1 as swap which
you have to create with fdisk first of course or some other program.

- Creating kboot.conf
1. ls /boot/
(After running ls /boot/, look for vmlinux... in this directory, and user it's fiel name in the next commmand.)
2. edit kboot.conf and replace what you see for > vmlinux-2.6.* from below (example. vmlinux-2.6.38-gf77c53d)

File /etc/kboot.conf
---------------------

debian_vflash=/boot/vmlinux-2.6.* root=/dev/ps3dd2
debian_vflash_hugepages=/boot/vmlinux-2.6.* root=/dev/ps3dd2 hugepages=1

- Creating /dev/ps3flash device (needed for ps3-utils)

File /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-ps3flash.rules
----------------------------------------------------

KERNEL=="ps3vflashf", SYMLINK+="ps3flash"

Source: Gitbrew’s Wiki
via Twitter

Thanks to xPreatorianx for the news submission.

[-Sander]

Very good news! I like Ubuntu 11.04 (using it on my laptop)

[makaveli101]

i can't even install debian on my 60gb 265mb nand, it freezes during install.. it might be the servers i'm downloading from or just that it's incredibly buggy. i cba installing this till there is a working tut for 256mb nands.

oh and here is the method i tried... see if it works for you.

Starting from a clean 3.55 OFW..

AFTER BACKING UP YOUR INTERNAL HARD DRIVE

Part 1

1. Install Gitbrew's latest CFW http://tinyurl.com/355-OOS-22GB
2. When installation is finished, go to recovery menu and choose "Restore PS3 System"
3. Now your GameOS will display 22GB less of your HDD space (your new *nix partition = 22GB)
4. Run setup_flash_for_otheros.pkg (for all PS3 models)
5. Reboot
6. Store this file - "dtbImage.ps3.bin" - on USB drive, plug it in and run install_otheros.pkg 
(Try different USB ports if you don't get any beeps)
7. Run boot_otheros.pkg
8. Run reboot.pkg
9. You should be in petitboot now.

Part 2

Select "exit to shell" from Petitboot

   1. cd /tmp/
   2. wget tinyurl.com/createhdd
   3. chmod a+x create_hdd_region.sh
   4. ./create_hdd_region.sh auto

REBOOT PS3 AFTER STEP 4 COMPLETES

   5. cd /tmp/
   6. wget tinyurl.com/initimg
   7. chmod a+x initimg.sh
   8. ./initimg.sh auto

Part 3

Installing Debian:

Select the relevant options for language etc. You must install debian onto "ps3dd" as an ext3 partition.
Then select "yes, I want to format" when in partioner (of Debian installer) to format ps3dd
and make it bootable ("yes" for boot flag). Partition ps3dc as swap area (should be approx. 2GB). 

After installing Debian...

    * umount /dev/ps3dd1
    * mount /dev/ps3dd1 /tmp/petitboot/mnt/ps3dd1 


   9.  cd /tmp/petitboot/mnt/ps3sdd1/
   10. wget tinyurl.com/orig-kernel
   11. tar xvjf ps3linux_kernel.tar.bz2
   12. cd /tmp/petitboot/mnt/ps3sdd1/etc/
   13. wget tinyurl.com/kbootfile

Reboot, select "debian_vflash_hugepages" from Petitboot and see Debian boot!

FWIW my kboot.conf looks like this:

debian_vflash=/boot/vmlinux-2.6.38-g61f4ef1 root=/dev/ps3dd1
debian_vflash_hugepages=/boot/vmlinux-2.6.38-g61f4ef1 root=/dev/ps3dd1 hugepages=1

[zebular]

Is there any way of having Kmeaw's cfw and the option to boot linux?

[basementx]

Is there any way of having Kmeaw's cfw and the option to boot linux?

i second on this!.... is it possible to install linux on any CFW? or does it need to be rebug's? i came back to Kmeaw after Rebug CFW couldnt play some of my games....

[xPreatorianx]

Kamew 3.55 is impossible considering it's simply a bsdiff patch. The alternatives are too make your own, use rebug, or use this. But if you use rebug's method, or your own method, this simply won't work. You need the CFW that comes with this implementation to be able to get it to work. (90% sure on this, but I could be wrong.)

Actually scratch that, they have the .tcl for PS3MFW in their git IIRC so you should be able to make your own with comparable Kamew 3.55 compatibility.

Also keep in mind that this may share similar bugs to the vlflash method, which meant that if it froze even once during the OS install, you had to completely redo the entire procedure from the beginning. But I can tell you guys this, when I release my guide this weekend I won't be able to provide NAND support. I simply don't have a NAND console. If someone wants to volunteer and help provide a NAND only section for my guide, I would greatly appreciate it and it would improve the quality of the guide as well as the install base.

Copy - pasta from my thread.

EDIT: Anyone want to volunteer for contributing a NAND only portion of the guide? I only have a NOR PS3 so I'm gonna need some help on the NAND side. I have been noticing that people with NAND PS3's are having trouble with the released methods. So anyone that would be able to work with me side by side so we can have a NAND only and NOR only section of the guide would be greatly appreciated! It would greatly help a lot of the newer people in the scene as well as the majority of PS3 owners that exist. . (Yes I just now thought of this while reading more threads. Yes I'm a dumbass :P)

If you want to help me I need you to meet the following requirements :
+ Have atleast decent linux experience. (meaning you know how to issue commands correctly, install packages, use CLI,) (Basically be a step above a brand new user.)
+ NAND PS3 (well duh :P)
+ Successfully installed the current implementation as of 6/5 6/6(and on) on a NAND PS3 and can reproduce ALL of the steps.
+ Be able to reproduce the troubleshooting steps you had to go through if any. (this will greatly help in the QA department when new comers ask questions.)

If you meet these requirements please contact me. You will receive FULL credit for all of your contributions as if you were the one who decided to make the guide in the first place. - I don't steal anyone's work.

[korn16ftl]

what no love for those that did use and are familiar with YDL or is it already compatible? am i missing something here?

But I can tell you guys this, when I release my guide this weekend I won't be able to provide NAND support. I simply don't have a NAND console.

wtf a NAND console?!?!?! every PS3 has a NAND the only difference is NAND size this confuses the hell out of me......

Kamew 3.55 is impossible considering it's simply a bsdiff patch. The alternatives are too make your own, use rebug, or use this. But if you use rebug's method, or your own method, this simply won't work. You need the CFW that comes with this implementation to be able to get it to work. (90% sure on this, but I could be wrong.)

whats the latest version of the MFW builder program? i know it is open source and all but we haven seen an official release from the publishing team and i know they are very cautious about making things noob proof, would be nice to see an release to implement the rebug and kmeaw patches and such so we may all have one kind of "do everything" CFW rather than being scattered all over and/or having to completely re-do our set ups so they operate correctly

how long until this is as simple as installing a .PKG file and puting a DVD-R into my BD rom and the process will be automated for the most part at the moment this has to much leg work for some one that A. dosent know linux fluently and B.would like to simply run linux to learn it

[fma965]

1. i have nand and me and many others on otheros++ irc channel cant get ubuntu to owkr on nand ps3

2. i will be willing to help i know i am noob in post count but i been around a while i have a 60gb bc ps3 running 3.55 otheros++ 22gb version

3. i understand some of linux

4. when is the hdaccess script gonna work on fats aswell arghh debootstrap is anooying

[neimato1]

I wish I understood this completly, I want Ubuntu on my ps3, but i dont really know how to edit the files to allow it to run on my ps3 slim

[xPreatorianx]

what no love for those that did use and are familiar with YDL or is it already compatible? am i missing something here?




wtf a NAND console?!?!?! every PS3 has a NAND the only difference is NAND size this confuses the hell out of me......



whats the latest version of the MFW builder program? i know it is open source and all but we haven seen an official release from the publishing team and i know they are very cautious about making things noob proof, would be nice to see an release to implement the rebug and kmeaw patches and such so we may all have one kind of "do everything" CFW rather than being scattered all over and/or having to completely re-do our set ups so they operate correctly

how long until this is as simple as installing a .PKG file and puting a DVD-R into my BD rom and the process will be automated for the most part at the moment this has to much leg work for some one that A. dosent know linux fluently and B.would like to simply run linux to learn it

No every console doesn't have a nand. Earlier models have a 16mb NOR not a 256mb NAND. Two completely different flashes and so they use different methods for the firmwares and everything relating to them. Which is why you have to take that into account when designing anything for the PS3 in respects to firmware. What works on a 16mb NOR could very well cause a 100% brick rate on a 256mb NAND.

Which is why I need another person to provide that side of the equation. I simply can't do any steps and troubleshooting on a NAND unit because I don't have one.

what no love for those that did use and are familiar with YDL or is it already compatible? am i missing something here?




wtf a NAND console?!?!?! every PS3 has a NAND the only difference is NAND size this confuses the hell out of me......



whats the latest version of the MFW builder program? i know it is open source and all but we haven seen an official release from the publishing team and i know they are very cautious about making things noob proof, would be nice to see an release to implement the rebug and kmeaw patches and such so we may all have one kind of "do everything" CFW rather than being scattered all over and/or having to completely re-do our set ups so they operate correctly

how long until this is as simple as installing a .PKG file and puting a DVD-R into my BD rom and the process will be automated for the most part at the moment this has to much leg work for some one that A. dosent know linux fluently and B.would like to simply run linux to learn it

For your second question, PS3MFW should allow everything you want. Just go to their official site for the main build, and then grab the required .tcl files from the gitbrew repo. It should already have the required .tcl files for a comparable Kamew FW built into PS3MFW.

Now onto your last question, I simply can't answer that. There may never be a simple disc install or .PKG install because it requires a modified firmware all the way. This implementation is completely different then the old Sony OtherOS AFAIK. So we may never get to that point. But I could also be entirely wrong. Only time can tell.

EDIT: Like I said if anyone wants to contribute a NAND only portion of my guide please contact me through PM. I would be glad to let you in on the project.