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Gentoo Linux on your PS3 - With full install instructions!

Posted Jan 09, 2007 at 01:36PM by Pranav T Listed in: PlayStation 3 Tags: Linux, media player, Yellow Dog Linux, Fedora, Gentoo

101

I'm sure all of you have been having fun with Linux on your PS3. A few of you might be happy with Fedora Core 5/6, the others have probably moved on to Yellow Dog Linux. Now while they're not bad in any sense, they do have problems which are associated with any RPM based distro- dependency hell. I'm sure that any of you who've tried to install any applications would have faced the problem of missing dependencies sometime. And it's all too common to have a few packages totally missing from the repository which means that you have to search for their respective RPMs on the net, download them and install them separately. While functional, this can get a little frustrating over time.

My friend Jake just bought a PS3, and he wanted to install Linux on it. Since he didn't know much about Linux, it was my responsibility to help him with it. His requirements - Install a distribution which is easy to maintain and run. He wanted to make the full use of his Linux install, so he needed a distro which wouldn't hold him back with frustrating problems. Among his biggest needs was an office suite, a good web browser, and above all, a no-hassle media player which would allow him to play all his videos on the big screen.

One look at the current situation of Linux on the PS3, I knew it wasn't going to be Fedora Core or Yellow Dog since they seemed to have lots of problems when it came to media players. The only solution was using a distro which had a better package management system, and did its work without bothering you, the end user. And what luck! The folks over at Gentoo.org had just released a Live CD plus a few more things for the PS3. Having used Gentoo extensively, I knew that this would be the solution to my problems. Here's a few personal thoughts about Gentoo:

Why Gentoo?

Theoretically, faster than any other distro.
Modular distro, so you have full control over the installation.
It teaches you more about Linux.
You can update it whenever you want, don't have to wait for the latest version of the distro like Fedora Core 5/6, Yellow Dog Linux 5
Huge community of people, and the best documentation among all Linux distros, so you'll never have unsolved problems.

Criticisms of Gentoo:

Long installation process
Takes long to install applications since they have to be compiled from source
Difficult for anyone new to Linux since they get overwhelmed with all the stuff given to them.

Why Gentoo for PS3?

Best distro when compared with Fedora Core 5/6 or Yellow Dog Linux because of no RPM/dependency/repository hell
Easy to install ANY application - emerge . It will download source of all dependencies, install and setup everything.
Will get the latest updates first, and you will be able to download and install it without any problems.
It won't take time to install applications since hundreds of binaries already available through Portage Overlays. Thus, you will get applications compiled specially for the PS3, not just a regular PPC computer. The advantages of this will be big once GCC is optimised for the Cell processor.
You can ask for help while installation through irc, or ask someone to install it for you remotely!

As you can see, the above reasons cover up 2/3 criticisms of Gentoo. Therefore, it's not difficult to see that Gentoo is the best distro for the PS3. Don't get me wrong, Gentoo is an overwhelmer for any newbie to Linux, but since I'm very comfortable with it, I decided to set it up on his PS3. What followed was a nice command-line installation procedure and lots of fun configuring and setting up the system. Jake, who had already got a great head-start to his Linux journey, was having fun checking around the system, installing applications manually, and in general, doing whatever he had intended to do.

Now while the Gentoo guys had already published instructions for the installation, we went ahead and changed a few steps since we thought that they could be made easier. After all, not everyone loves vim :). Anyways, here's the link to the Gentoo install instructions. Have fun installing and checking out Gentoo on your PS3. At this point though, let me warn you- The installation isn't for those who've never spent time at the Linux command line. While the instructions can be understood and followed by everyone, we'd prefer it if total newbies stayed away from it for a little while, until we sort out the wiki and add lots more Gentoo-specific content. You can also ask for help in our forums where me and other Gentoo users will be eager to help you out.

View: [Gentoo Install Instructions]
View: [QJ.NET's PS3 Wiki]
View: [QJ.NET's PS3 Linux forums]

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50 Comments

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by milkman - 2007-01-09

» thanks

thanks QJ, I have been meaning to install linux on my PS3 for some time now but I can't choose between fedora or YDL (and now gentoo). I am also a linux newbie :p. It looks pretty easy. I just don't like the idea of partitioning my 60GB HD and losing all the demos I downloaded (GT: HD/Motor storm I actually sit down and play).

Re: Jake (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» Partitioning

The PS3 has a "backup" option, so if you have a memory stick large enough, it will automatically backup all your system settings, game saves, and downloaded content.

After the PS3 partitions and formats, you can then restore all of this back to the PS3 partition.

Re: bob (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» partioning

you can also back up to an external usb drive.

by my name is first post (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» i post first

you can't post first

Re: -*_*_all your *** (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» down with the

*****

by psplayer06 (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» whats the big deal with first post?

relaly people, why do you work so hard to get the first post, what do you acheive? its one of my biggest petpeeves!!

by werd (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» ???

Does wifi work on this

Re: Jake (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» WiFi

We're working on getting instructions prepared for getting Samba up and running and being able to share files over a wired and wireless network. Keep watching!

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by werd (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» ???

Does wifi work on this

by Disgruntled (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» ;_;

I managed to get as far as the part in the instruction that states "livecd ~ # mkfs.ext3 -j /dev/sda1" until I got an error saying "invalid blocks count /dev/sda1". So much for an easy install...

Re: Jake (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» mkfs

Did you get the following status report in the previous step?

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 8584 8790000 83
/dev/sda2 8585 10239 1694720 82

Re: Disgruntled (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» :_:

Yup, I got that status report. I compared what I had on my screen with what was on the instruction page and everything was word for word, but every time I tried this step I got that error.

by Jettic (Unregistered) - 2007-01-09

» ...

On the 60GB PS3...Yes

On linux...not sure

by James (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» My question is why?

Why is this even a consideration? What's the point? Why is it necessary to install any kind of OS on a gaming console and for what purpose? I know I'm stupid, but I still need to ask the question.

Re: runlevel0 (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» RE My Question is Why?

Because this console is different: It comes perpared to be used as a computer and ships in some versions with Yellow Dog Linux. It also uses Linux internally.
Keep this in mind: PS3 is not a "Console", it's a multimedia device that can be used as both: Computer and console.
Unlike other consoles you don't need to tamper with the hardware or software (you don't need any hack) to isntall an OS, as the device is actually desgined from ground up to allow it. It's even ecouraged by Sony itself!.
:)

by nocturnal (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» fail

this website fails in opera, which of course means it's not valid, i knew that without even validating it

without standards on the web there is only chaos

Re: blackhole (Unregistered) - 2007-01-11

» No problem here

In what way is this website failing in your Opera browser? I am writing this in Opera 8.5 on Linux and I see no problems. (No I don't intend to update. I only keep Opera around for the occasional test and I *hate* clicking "I agree.")

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by Senor_DingDong (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» So how's it for playing media?

You mentioned your mate wanted it for the media player. Being completely new to Linux as well, how does this work? Do you install your own media player (like VLC or something) and then just use that? That'd be so cool if you could.

Re: willtriv (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» re:So how's it for playing media?

yeah i dunno if vlc has a ppc port but pretty much any media software that has a ppc port will run. Wikipedia has a list of media players. There is 1000 and it shows what os and 64bit y/n. Almost any of them that run on MAC and Linux will work fine on ps3. The idea is you can install samba and play movies off windows shares (or linux ones if your as cool as me;)

Re: tdr (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» multimedia player

VLC does build on PPC architecture. The latest version available through gentoo portage as of today is 0.8.6-r1, which is right on par with amd64 and x86 architecture.

Other media player options include totem, xine, kaffeine, and of course mplayer --all of which are also great media players. Both gnome and kde desktops include a capable media player with their installations, too, so there is no need to know exactly which one to pick during setup.

Gentoo, like any other distribution allows you to use any media player under any desktop environment as well, so you can mix and match, which in your words, qualifies it as "so cool." :)

Re: Senor_DingDong (Unregistered) - 2007-01-11

» Nice info

Hey, thanks for the info willtriv and tdr. Definitely gonna try this when I get my PS3. And I'll remember to savour the warm tingly feeling when I play my first Microsoft WMV file on my Sony Playstation 3. :)

by Jon (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» multiboot Q

I don't have one of the PS3s, but I'm curious how booting works after an OS is loaded on the hard drive. Is it just a simple "boot game disc if present; else boot hard disk if valid" logic?

by meh (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» comments

http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/07/01/10/1341257.shtml

Read the comments from this site. You're an idiot, and they prove over and over that you are.

by Kelsin (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» Fedora

I havn't installed on a ps3, but come on. Dependency Hell was an issue years ago. I've been using Fedora now for a year and NEVER have had any type of dependency problems. You're pros about Gentoo are generally ok, but I would never install it for a person that wants something easy to maintain. Unless you're going to be there all the time to help him out I vote that it was a bad choice.

Re: willtriv (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» re: fedora

It's because rpm/ yum w/e u guys have these days are waaay harder to use than portage. Sure its harder, but if you throw some1 in over their heads with gentoo they swim far better after. I've heard of companies asking in interviews what is ur home PC distro. People who respond ubuntu and fedora are always considered but a gentoo pro guarantees a certain level of knowledge. That and I am stuck with fc5 in the lab and I find that I never can get the bleeding edge working right in it. My gentoo box ran reiser 4 stable for a whole year. Then i sold it and bought a new one. Fedora doesn't do reiser4 so well :)

Re: Chris (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» Amen

No doubt - same here. I have had an *occasional* dependency issue - none that were not pretty easily resolved. And if you just can install something with yum or rpm (talk about **EASY***) then we just compile from source. Like Gentoo, but on a much smaller and faster scale. Gentoo is not for regular users but for system tinkerers. Gentoo users seem to exist in their own peculiar fanboy reality that it's easy to install and run it. Right along with Slackware - piece of cake. NOT. I've recently started teaching a newb on the finer points of linux and why it's so great as a sysadmin tool - she installed her FC6 workstation first time out, with very very little input/help from me. Go ahead Gentoo fans, start your flames now as that is the other thing we have come to expect from you :)

by Johnny (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» Fedora 7

It will be interesting to see what happens with Fedora 7 and the new merge of the line. I wonder.
-JM - www.medsocial.com

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by mike (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» 720p

Does ur tv half to be HD for the gui interface to work Like yellow dog? or will the gui work on any old tv?
Thxs

Re: Jake (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» Resolution

You specify the resolution you'd like to use during the intial install process. So no, it does not have to be an HD television.

by Norris R Kingsbur (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» THANK YOU

thank you for your article. I always wanted to try Linux.and with this info I'mgoing to give it a shot.thanks again. Norris

by Norris R Kingsbur (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» My Favorites

Hi I'm back again .I did place you on my favorite on my blog. I new to this so please forgive me if I made any mistake the blog sites are

http://NorrisRKingsbur.blogtoolkit.com

by cruisx (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» can i ....

make it so i can have this and YDL on the same ps3? so lke i can chose which one i wan to boot up? aand is this more SDTV friendly?

by Anunakin - 2007-01-10

» I using Gentoo on my PS3

I using Gentoo on my PS3 (Installed at 18/12/2006) .... alread using Firefox 2, gaim, bittornado and more :P

The best Linux flavor....

Re: new to PS3 (Unregistered) - 2007-01-11

» software

so this means like I can have microsoft office and WinRAR and Azureus on my PS3?!?!

by CNLohr (Unregistered) - 2007-01-10

» Meanwhile, without X

Well, instead of installing X, I figured I'd keep it framebuffer and take a look at some of the frame buffer examples that sony provides. In about 4 hours, I had ported Mercury Game Engine to the PS3. Granted when you crank the resolution, the performance is pretty poor, I still had a fair amount of fun without using X or mesa.

http://cnlohr.livejournal.com/9934.html

by Enough! (Unregistered) - 2007-01-11

» I QUIT!

I've tried 3 times already and I can't get this thing to work on my system. I've followed the instructions to the letter, everything from burning the CD to installing it on the PS3, and every time after I finish and reboot I get a filesystem error. Nuts to this! >.

Re: WrathofPS3 (Unregistered) - 2007-01-11

» DITTO!

I think I've got the same problem - it boots up, you can press ctrl+d (which results in reboot) or you can type the password you put in. If you use the password you're thrown at the shell, but I cant' figure out how to do anything since the root filesystem is mounted read-only.

Re: WrathofPS3 (Unregistered) - 2007-01-15

» Found the problem

Check the section under fstab - there was a section that wasn't bolded before, which is now, that needs to be changed, regardless of your hard drive size.

by Tyler (Unregistered) - 2007-01-12

» GENTOO IS SO ANNYOYING

I HAVE THE ADD ON CD AND EVERYTHING THE SNAPSHOT , The Two Bz2 Files Both Zipped Up As Bz2 Files Packed I Havent Ever Unpacked Them I Have The otheros.self and otheros.bld in the ps3 folder in the folder inside that called otheros and the two files r in there i am able to partition it get through all those commands inside the kboot but then once i get to the mounting process or whatever it doesnt find anything is there something i am missing in the above list of things i need am i doing something wrong can some one please help me with this i have firmware 1.32 and i am 12 and i have been doing this homebrew stuff on the psp the past 2 years i have firmware 1.50 on that with all the device hook, eloders every hack pretty much made for it i have installed i have 3 4gb cards for it but for the ps3 i am using my psp for all the files to install and that stuff and using usb connection i have also tried using a sandisk 2gb usb flash drive nothings working please help me homebrewis my life and i have tried installing fedora core 5 also and had issues with burning the iso file correct i have tried it so many times and get done burning it on the 4.7 dvd i am burning it using toast 7 titanium. with an external sony dvd+rw/+r it runs through usb 2.0 but my usb 2.0 ports need to be replaced so its hooked in to a usb port on my macintosh powermac g4 with 1.32 gb sdram a 40 gb and 200gb harddrive in it i have leopard cracked and installed on hear and i have cracked virtual pc so i have vista installed and cracked in there my crack and vista was made to run at full speed thinking i have an intel core duo 2 processor and my g4 is 867 mhz fast while vista runs at about 1.0ghz so anyone can help thank u and please i also have a macpro, macbook, ibook g4 and g3 if tht helps i also have a pc thats getting fixed might take a while whole things fried out so please and thank u idont no what i am doing wrong though with this linux thing its the first issue i cant solve because i have been one of the top hackers since i got a psp Please and thank you i can probally help ya with ay issues u have with anything else except linux on the ps3 add my ps3 name TEM94

Re: Punctuation (Unregistered) - 2007-01-12

» Where am I?

Seriously.

Re: CrashCore - 2007-01-13

» .

Your post reminds me of a 6-year-old boy who speaks 500 words per minute. Annoying and something I don't listen to. There's no way I could read your entire post without going insane.

by Илья (Unregistered) - 2007-01-14

» Изврат

Извращенцы

by Tyler (Unregistered) - 2007-01-14

» Read This Time And Help Me I Am 12 Not 6 U So Help Me Out On This If U Can Not Read This Lil Paragraph I Am Definatley Smarter Then U

» GENTOO IS SO ANNYOYING

I HAVE THE ADD ON CD AND EVERYTHING THE SNAPSHOT , The Two Bz2 Files Both Zipped Up As Bz2 Files Packed I Havent Ever Unpacked Them I Have The otheros.self and otheros.bld in the ps3 folder in the folder inside that called otheros and the two files r in there i am able to partition it get through all those commands inside the kboot but then once i get to the mounting process or whatever it doesnt find anything is there something i am missing in the above list of things i need am i doing something wrong can some one please help me with this i have firmware 1.32 and i am 12 and i have been doing this homebrew stuff on the psp the past 2 years i have firmware 1.50 on that with all the device hook, eloders every hack pretty much made for it i have installed i have 3 4gb cards for it but for the ps3 i am using my psp for all the files to install and that stuff and using usb connection i have also tried using a sandisk 2gb usb flash drive nothings working please help me homebrewis my life and i have tried installing fedora core 5 also and had issues with burning the iso file correct i have tried it so many times and get done burning it on the 4.7 dvd i am burning it using toast 7 titanium. with an external sony dvd+rw/+r it runs through usb 2.0 but my usb 2.0 ports need to be replaced so its hooked in to a usb port on my macintosh powermac g4 with 1.32 gb sdram a 40 gb and 200gb harddrive in it i have leopard cracked and installed on hear and i have cracked virtual pc so i have vista installed and cracked in there my crack and vista was made to run at full speed thinking i have an intel core duo 2 processor and my g4 is 867 mhz fast while vista runs at about 1.0ghz so anyone can help thank u and please i also have a macpro, macbook, ibook g4 and g3 if tht helps i also have a pc thats getting fixed might take a while whole things fried out so please and thank u idont no what i am doing wrong though with this linux thing its the first issue i cant solve because i have been one of the top hackers since i got a psp Please and thank you i can probally help ya with ay issues u have with anything else except linux on the ps3 add my ps3 name TEM94

Re: WrathofPSP (Unregistered) - 2007-01-15

» LEARN TO PUNCTUATE

It's nice that you've got homebrew working on your psp. Congratulations, you can drag and drop files using windows explorer. Maybe if you trimmed the sections about how incredible of a l337 hax0r you are we could find what you're really asking for help with.

Secondly, typing as you speak doesn't work. Pausing while you type does not insert punctuation which separates complete ideas into things we like to call "sentences." These "sentences" are what makes effective communication possible.

If you've made it this far, I have made my point. 90% of the people gave up after seeing the letter "U" used as a noun. If you're "Definatley" smarter than us, help your own damn self.

Re: Tyler (Unregistered) - 2007-01-15

» Yea I No

I Am Not Am Not Smarter Then U I Am Smarter Then The Gay Guy Who Wouldnt Read The Paragraph Yes I Figuered Out What I Did Wrong And I Now I Used U I Instant Message My Friends Alot Plus My Dads An English teacher I Now How To Do This Stuff But Literally Were Not All Trying To Puncuate Correctley On This Site Are We

Re: Big meanie (Unregistered) - 2007-01-16