Before We Start
- Download PlayStation 3 alternate install CD (I used build 20091020). Get it here http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/9.10/release/ubuntu-9.10-desktop-powerpc+ps3.iso
- Burn .ISO to CD using InfraRecorder, http://infrarecorder.org/ is a free CD burning software. Choose <Write Image> to burn, DO NOT use Data Disc.
- Connect wireless USB keyboard and mouse. Now you should test your keyboard and mouse in the PS3 menu. By moving the mouse or typing the arrows on the keyboard, you should be able to navigate through the menu.
- Disconnect all other USB devices, including PS Eye and Guitar Hero receiver.
- Insert CD in PS3.
Installing Other OS
- Settings >System Settings > Install Other OS.
- The following installer items were found: Title:/PS3/otheros/otheros.bld Location: Disc
- If it doesn’t show the above, your CD is not burned correctly.
- Click <Start>
- Settings > System Settings > Default System > Other OS
Rebooting to Other OS
- If in doubt, just press Enter. kboot: install video-ps3fb:node:3
- Choose a language : English – English
- Choose a country: United Stated
- Detect keyboard layout? <Yes>
- Press keys on screen <Continue>
- Primary network interface: <eth0: Ethernet>
- Hostname: ps3
- Select your time zone: <select your zone>
Partition disks
- Partitioning method: <Guided – use entire disk>
- Select disk to partition: </dev/ps3da – 10.7 GB Unknown>
- Write the changes to disk? <No>
- Click <#1 primairy 10.2 GB F ext4 />
- Use as: Change <Ext4> into <Ext3 journaling file system>
- Format the partition: Change from <no> to <yes, format it>
- Click <Done setting up the partition>
- Click <Finish partitioning and write changes to disk>
- Write the changes to disk? <Yes>
- Installing the base system… (this takes about 15 minutes)
Set up users and passwords
- Full name for the new user: <enter your username>
- Username for your account: <enter your accountname>
- Choose a password for the new user: <enter your users password>
- Re-enter password to verify: <enter your users password>
- Encrypt your home directory: <No>
- HTTP proxy information (blank for none): <Continue>
- Select and install software… (This will take about 45 minutes)
Finish the installation
- Is the system clock set to UTC? <Yes>
- The CD will eject automatically. Take it out, because it will be loaded at reboot.
- Click <Continue>
After installation
The following gives you all your plugins (such as Java).
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extrasGetting back to PS3
sudo boot-game-os
Hey. Why did the installation skip steps 4-8 of Partition disks? I followed the instructions but I did not see those steps. Right now, I’m at the 45min part.
@Edson
Thank you for pointing this out. I reinstalled and made a mistake. Partition disks 3. Write the changes to disk? YES should be NO.
I also added the formatting of the partition.
Hi there, just curious why you changed it from ext3 to ext4? I’m just installing 9.10 to my PS3 as I type this, but I went with the default ext4. Is there a benefit to ext3? Thanks for any more info!
(sigh)…nevermind, figured it out. PS3 can’t read ext4…ext3 ftw.
I’ve tried it on EXT4. The installation completes without errors, but your PS3 will not boot. You have to use EXT3.. but you already figured it out.
For some reason it will not let me change the extention, when i click to format it tells me i haven’t definded a root and the only way to stop it from saying that is to revert back to how it was before
hi,
After install en reboot. I get the same bootscreen (yes, the cd is not in the ps3) and there are errors saying that my nfs is corrupt ? ? ?
[...] ps3 I’ve updated the Linux distros page with links to articles about installing Ubuntu 9.10 [Joep Cremers Weblog] and Fedora 12 [Geoff Levand, Ken Werner] on the Playstation [...]
Hey there,
This guide works fine, thanks!
Instead of changing to EXT3 you could also use petitboot. Rename the file from GZ to BDL and load it as otheros. Petitboot supports EXT4.
thanks so much for the tutorial,
has anyone been able to get youtube to work
If you formated the entire ps3 what all will be deleted…& can you still play games..I’m talking about when you get to the Partition disks part.
@Tez
You cannot format your entire PS3 from within Ubuntu. The PS3 only lets you use a part of your total disk space for Linux.
The PS3 system will not be affected by this.
Do not use the format option in the PS3 XMB menu, this WILL destroy all saved data.
I am unable to get past the entering my name part. I have a wireless usb mouse and a usb keyboard. The mouse moves through the dialog boxes with ease but the keyboard does not input any information as I type. The ok to move forward is greyed out until I have some information entered. What do I need to do to have this keyboard start entering data?
@Matt
Have you tried the keyboard when you are in the PS3 menu? You should be able to use the arrow keys.
When you are in the Linux setup, push the ‘connect’ button on your wireless receiver and after that the ‘connect’ button on your keyboard and mouse.
I currently have 7.10 installed on my PS3 and I want to upgrade to 9.10. How do I do that?
Thanks
@michael
“Instead of changing to EXT3 you could also use petitboot. Rename the file from GZ to BDL and load it as otheros. Petitboot supports EXT4.”
Which version of petitboot are you referring to? I’ve tried using the graphical version from http://ozlabs.org/~jk/projects/petitboot/ but I get no hdd icons, and can’t get ubuntu to work. Is this version supposed to support EXT4?
I am having the same problem as Matt. My keyboard and mouse (wieless) are working pefectly, but I can’t click on the input boxes to enter my name and info.
can someone help. i installed 9.10 fine. wireless connection is there click on it ask for wep pass, it then thinks for minute or so and comes back asking for it . i can see other wireless connection also. i did go to edit to adjust but samething. pls help
can’t get youtube working any tips.i put the command sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras in the terminal and waited for it to do its thing but doesn’t seem to have done anything.any help appreciated
having some problems with the install, cant get my wireless mouse to work(at XMB it works fine) and when i connect an usb mouse the install will not proceed.
pls help
I have the same problems as tb, jeff and matt. My keyboard and mouse works great in XMB and during the installation. Somehow I can’t get an active curser in the inputboxes. pls help
Hello everyone,
I suffered the same error with keyboard and mouse, and I’ve solved it copying with mouse a word like “User” or other that appears in screen.
Then paste this word at inputboxes with mouse and when system reboots after installation change this values from your new OS.
Hope it helps, greetings.
@Joep Cremers
I’m getting the following message:
ps3-ehci-driver sb_05: USB Bus 1 deregistered
Right after step “Rebooting to Other OS” > “1. If in doubt, just press Enter. kboot: install video-ps3fb:node:3″
After this message system freezes and I can only boot via PS3 OS (holding power off for 5 sec and ten holding power on for 5 seconds). This message can be the cause or can be the last message just before freezing. i don’t know…
Found some posts on the intrnet, but no solution.
I’m using the simple AV cable. I’ll try to do the same with HDMI cable since it might be related to a “install video” command.
Any suggestions???
Thanks in advance!
@Joep Cremers
Just tried with the HDMI cable and it didn’t work either. Same message, same freezing.
hey guys i have just installed Unbuntu 9.10 on my PS3 60 GB PAL
after the installing is completed it ejected my CD automatically and then restarted but its still goes to first screen again .
the same problem as this :
After install en reboot. I get the same bootscreen (yes, the cd is not in the ps3) and there are errors saying that my nfs is corrupt ? ? ?
indeed it works!
only now when he installs, the proces is at 0 % and wont proceed any further, what have I done wrong?? I already waited an hour to be sure he wont proceed.
@Joep Cremers
The previous problem was gone… I haven’t formatted the PS3 allocating 10GB to Other OS. After doing this and going through every tutorial step. The installation seems successful, but when I restart the system, I receive the error: “no default root fs was found”.
See this picture with all main screens: http://twitpic.com/10qc44/full
Many thanks
@rbarboza
Your partition #1 is formatted as ext4, please try ext3.
When you partition your disk, look at step 3 Write the changes to disk? No and change from ext4 to ext3.
Did you use EXT3 for your partition?
@Jeff
I have a few questions. What brand and type of keyboard are you using? Have you tried pushing the ‘connect’ button on your wireless receiver and then the ‘connect’ button on you keyboard? Can you move your mouse?
I’m stuck and can’t get the game to boot. My keyboard and mouse work fine with the XMB. They stop working when I get to the select language screen. I rebooted the system and it goes right into Ubuntu again and I get the same results. Now I can’t boot back to the game because it keeps booting into Ubuntu.
root could not be found followedsteps
sorry root could not be dfinfined when trying to partion
wireless mouse wont move, but if i use usb mouse, it moves then. but wireless keyboard works fine.
I got as far as ‘Rebooting to the other OS step 2′, I pressed enter and then the system boots up without giving any options. It took an hour to get to the desktop GUI then crashed after a minute. It was incredibly slow
It reboots with the ext 3/4 problem i think (no default root fs was found)
PS I was trying to install Unbuntu 9.10 power PC+PS3 on my PS3 60 GB PAL.
Keyboard and mouse work fine.
I also tried the new version of Ubuntu that hasn’t been released yet (lynyx) to see if that would work. It allowed me to input the settings. It didn’t like the time UTC time code for some reason, i had to skip that. When i rebooted it said it was unable to connect to Plymouth and then wouldn’t load the GUI. I don’t know enough to get any further.
Does anyone know if it would be worth trying 9.05?
I ran checksum to make sure all disks were ok.
I got the 9.04 version to work. I had issues with connecting to a mirror so i had to install choosing the ‘expert’ option. This could be some kind of problem with my Internet connection.
I’m glad I managed to get this far.
I’ve spent the last 2 days installing 9.10 and trying to get it working properly… I didn’t realize that the PS3 couldn’t recognize the ext4 format. Thanks so much!
Turns out that Sony is having problems with the CPU clock settings on PS3s right now, this might be why Ubuntu install failed previously at the (UTC) universal clock time stage.
Hi,
I am just installing Ubuntu 9.10 to my PS3 and ’cause I’m a first timer I had few problems. I’m almost done now, but there are couple of steps different in your guide. Like there was no option to select network interface at the beginning. And also I have the same problem with keyboard, works fine in kboot promt, but not when I get to the name, password, etc. screen. But thank god mouse worked (copy&paste)
Aww shit, now I’m stuck also. When I start to installing the system it freezes right away at 0%. I downloaded linked iso file and burned it at speed 10 or something so the problem shouldn’t be there. Any advice?
Hmm, googled the issue and came to learn that I had to change the EXT from 4 to 3.
It is “loading”.
I wonder why they defaulted the the extension to 4 instead of 3?
any ways as I am killing time there are 2 versions set out.
1 is the “live” which freezes up right after the message stating that this is a beta version. though I mannaged to enter really fast I noticed an area that said configuring time from internet or something.
There is a skip button, if you are lighning fast, you an hit that skip button then it goes its mary way.
I cut and pasted every letter of my name and Pass word lol. it partiond the drive and began to load. This was on the graphical disk.
The second alternative, which might confuse some folk is what is called the “alternate” install disk.
You will not get a graphical screen, save for the basic text and such. The programers did make it a tad easier on you though by allowing you to tab tot he area, one wants to change.
I would highly recomend using the alternate install if one is having issues with the “normal” way of doing things. Brb..Restarting Console ok. for waht iwas worth. Iam getting a Ubuntu log in screen got some drum sound . I am in and booting up.
Proceding to set up my wireless settings. it found my wireless accesspoint and I am now surfing the web..erg need to update lol..
thanks guys that ext/3 helped, I wrote it down on my instalation disk.
Now I can get back to storing all my back up software, videos and such. PS I chose to alot only 10 gigs to the PS3.
seeing how I don’t store much on the PS3 maybe a few pictures now and then.
I wish you all Luck, but, I am not sure what version I just loaded as I had not maked my disk. either way. I finally have something I can use to store data to. Oh the nice thing about this is I can use an external DVD rom Drive when needed to burn ISOs when needed.
take care and thanks
hey this ubuntu is garbage..or is that…my ps3 is garbage..it wont even let me get to step three, it keeps passing up the ”eth0” dont even get a damn screen 4 it…and in partition guided,it doesn’t even have that option to change ext 4 to ext3.. man help me or i’m throwin this crap away..ty
iv tried downloading this on my ps3 and everytime i get to where it tells me to pick my language it freezes can somebody telll me why. thnx
DalStal. Ubuntu is not garbage and will never be. Its one of the best OS out there. Especially 9.10+. Try unplugging your wireless receiver. My PS also freezes on step1. Once I unplug receiver its fine. You might loose keyboard but use just regular usb (not wireless) mouse. When u get to username/password screen just highlight any letter with the mouse and copy/paste it to the field. For example I just picked PS as username and “password” as password. It will get u rolling. Good luck.
on Partition Disks, step 6,
I didn’t have that option. It was there once but I dunno, I must of already had the partition blank or something, it worked it in the end.
I’m quite glad to see that it can connect to my wireless now with this version.