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Playstation 3: the Linux edge

Posted Feb 18, 2007 at 12:04PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: PS3 Tags: Linux, playstation 3 updates, SATA, XMB, Yellow Dog Linux

Linux on PS3 - Gentoo, Yellow Dog - Image 1

Games Depot opened up a new section inside their games design site that delves into the innards of the Playstation 3. Of several items mentioned, there are tips about the Linux capabilities, multiple operating systems, customizing HD resolutions, and options to plug in your own hard drive.

But first let's get to hardware. The PS3 is one heck of a PC. Even PC enthusiasts noted that with the current RSX and CELL architecture (despite their obvious bottlenecks) could do wonders on the PC platform. Well, maybe not the enthusiasts, but the geeks are wishful.

Having said that, the PS3 also has other features included, given that you are a hardware geek and have no care whatsoever about warranties and all that jazz. If you open the case, you'll find that your own PS3's nifty hard drive is a pretty 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. Hard drives of these sizes are available for laptops.

So does it mean you can slap in your own bigger, faster version? It's a possibility, but it isn't without some consequences. Given that the file system for the PS3 section of the hard drive is encrypted, what would you do with the data inside the original hard drive? Hard drive imaging is a good suggestion. But who'd dare to try?

Still, the idea is plausible. If you've been one to tinker around the XMB settings, you'd find that the PS3 will allow you to format your hard drive, including installing a second OS and selecting which OS to boot by default. Given that the CELL is of PowerPC technology, your best bet for a PS3 OS is a mighty fine flavor of Linux. Games Depot suggests Yellow Dog Linux, since it has the most experience with the PowerPC family.

Now with a new OS around, the PS3 can be tinkered with a lot. As long as you know shell scripting and don't mind a console environment, you can do wonders on the PS3. Games Depot suggests that you push out the full potential of your PS3. What's that, you ask? Full HD. You can set this manually, despite what non-techies believe.

The command that shows your PS3's fullscreen (and not the black-bordered one), progressive 1080 high-definition glory is set by the ps3videomode. This one uses as much screen display area as possible, but depending on your HD monitor, results could vary. The command is entered on command console, but when executed, it could cause your XWindows module to mess up your Linux's GUI (whatever suits your taste).

Click on the "Read" link below to read the current details. Be sure to read the guide very carefully before attempting to reconfigure settings. Messing up your display will hamper your efforts to sort things out.

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Honestly I haven't heard many people praise it. Most people consider it too slow and too stripped down to be a decent PC solution. Full access to RSX, Wireless and the other 256MB of RAM might help. If some could break the encryption of the PS3 section of the hard drive that would open up some more possibilities.

# nah man — Guest 2007-02-18 14:34

changing HDD does not void the guarantee so plx just stfu..

and about off brand HDMI cables, those are ok too, no guarantee voiding there either..

so i guess ur just talking out of your *SS and sitting out of ur mouth, classic xbot syndrome

# ... — Vietone 2007-02-18 15:02

It does not void the warranty.

You can use any SATA 2.5" drive and it will not void the warranty.

You can use any brand of memory sticks and it will not void.

You an use any cables you want.

if your so worried about it, say you used sony cables and they wont be able to prove you didnt.

Sony doesnt make hard drives, so how will they know if you used their drive or not.

# ... — Guest 2007-02-18 15:15

Are you sure about that Vietone?

Read!

Not using Official Sony Components? Your warrantee is voided!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t+789061

(replace + in URL with equals sign)

# and here — Guest 2007-02-18 15:20

Here's a piece from the US PS3 Warranty.

"THIS WARRANTY SHALL ALSO BE VOIDABLE BY SCEA IF (1) SCEA REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT THE PS3 TM SYSTEM HAS BEEN USED IN A MANNER THAT WOULD VIOLATE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A SEPARATE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR SYSTEM SOFTWARE; OR (2) THE PRODUCT IS USED WITH PRODUCTS NOT SOLD OR LICENSED BY SCEA (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NON-LICENSED GAME ENHANCEMENT DEVICES, CONTROLLERS, ADAPTORS AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICES). YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS. "

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PS3/Warranties

# ok... — Guest 2007-02-18 16:08

ummm... so why not swap the hd back in if you need warranty =.='''

how hard is that? =.='''

and... if you use a non-sony cable... do you think they will really goto your house to find out... unless you really are that stupid to bring it along and show them...

# Video Modes Full Screen — Guest 2007-02-18 16:21

Anyone tried this on YDL? I've tried it, and it doesn't work. I still get the black borders...

# YDL — Guest 2007-02-18 16:35

I installed YDL on my PS3, I was hoping to use a wireless usb key to access the internet, and then I remember it's been 10 years I havent touch linux...

It's so annoying that the wireless is not activated on the PS3. From YDL site, they are working on it with Sony to enable it.

Anyway, this document is a great source of information :) Thx

# Wireless what? — Guest 2007-02-18 16:43

I hooked up my Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard (that I use on my PC) to my PS3 and it worked perfect. I plugged the USB sensor thing into my PS3 and I was able to use the mouse and keyboard on the web browser. And I used it on Fedora Core 5 on my PS3.

# offbrand cables void warranty — Guest 2007-02-18 17:08

that piece of news was on qj itself if you read qj enough. It's lame but its true.

# ... — Guest 2007-02-18 17:24

I'm pretty sure he's talking about WIFI.

# wow... — Shatterdome 2007-02-18 19:16

owned again

# YDL — Guest 2007-02-18 22:18

Indeed, I was talking about the wifi... I used a wireless keyboard / mouse too ;)

# Then dont be an idiot! — Guest 2007-02-19 02:00

just simply NOT tell Sony that you used a non Sony cable... its as simple as that! Theres no way to tell what cable you used unless it melted! and they arnt't going to do any foresnics on it so you should be safe.

# ... — Vietone 2007-02-19 03:12

Like I said, if you dont tell them, they wont know.

Sony isnt the only company who does it. All consoles do this. It wont void your warranty if you dont tell them.

# It does not work that way — Manny151 2007-02-19 03:15

The PS3 can't detect wireless keyboards or mice through wi-fi. You have to use the usb adapter for you wireless keyboard and mouse. What they are working on, is on blue tooth keyboard and mouse support.

# Resolution — Guest 2007-02-19 09:46

Yellow Dog looks best at 720p. The fonts aren't readable if you crank it up to 1080p. The "offical" sony drive in my machine was a western digital, the one I happened to replace it with was a western digital 120G drive.

You shouldn't need to void the warranty to change your hard drive, as sony provided a nice easy access port on the side, which exposes a carriage with a single screw. The carrage pulls back and the slides out with the drive on it.

If you need to keep your save game data, then copy it to a USB drive or memory stick before replacing the drive. If you've got downloadable games you may be hosed, although you might be able to redownload them from the store for free.

And yes, this is all months old news.

# ... — Guest 2007-02-19 14:38

the ps3 offers a way to backup data on the hdd

and you can get full screen by typing:

ps3videomode -f -v (whatever)

look at ps3videomode -h and at /etc/kboot.conf for more info

# Uh... — Guest 2007-02-19 15:17

Um...I'm looking at the manual right now, and I'm pretty damn sure there's no warning like that anywhere on the page. It DOES include very detailed instructions on how to do it, and what type of hard drive to install, and how to format it after installation, so I am going to assume that you have no idea what you are talking about, and that it does not void your warrenty.

# idiot — Guest 2007-02-19 15:19

"...NON-LICENSED GAME ENHANCEMENT DEVICES, CONTROLLERS, ADAPTORS AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICES..."

Not sure where it says "hard drive(s)" in there; are you sure you have a firm grasp of the English language?

# ... — Guest 2007-02-19 15:55

YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS.

# crow your a ***** — Guest 2007-02-19 15:57

"...YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS..."

YEA STFU retard it says if you use any third party HDD's THEN IT VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY (eg Maxtor Seagate) BUT IF YOU USE AN HDD THAT SoNY HAS MADE(that will be released someday), IT DOES NOT VOID YOUR WARENTY THATS WHY THEY PUT SPECIFIC INSTALLATION FIGURES IN THE MANUAL PWNED!!!!!

# PS3 FW Bypass — Guest 2007-02-19 20:56

Thought i'd drop by to release the news to you guys

There's an official way (sort of official) to bypass the Sony PS3 FW check at ps3news.com

Love to keep the news moving along!

# gayness — Guest 2007-02-20 01:59

first + gay

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