How-To: Install Ubuntu and Linux Apps on Your PlayStation 3
Posted 04/01/09 at 12:00:00 PM by Chris Comiskey
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After the system has scanned the ISO, highlight and select 'Start.' The PS3 will pre-scan the Ubuntu installation, but it won't actually launch it. To do that, you'll need to got to 'Settings'→'System Settings' → 'Default System.'
Change the default setting of 'PS3' to 'Other OS.' Select 'Restart,' when prompted. The PlayStation 3 will turn off for a few seconds and then reboot. Don't panic: when the system restarts there might be a small delay until you start seeing the Linux gears turn.
Let the data compile until the final line eventually ends with 'Kboot,' and a nice friendly blinking cursor.
If at any time the install gets stuck, or if your overweight cat accidentally stumbles over the PS3's power cord killing your setup, it's not the end of the world. Just shut down the PS3 and when you restart, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until you hear a second 'beep.' Release the button and you'll be forwarded to XMB where you can start the journey again.
Continuing on from the cursor on your screen next to Kboot: If you're utilizing an old-school CRT TV, type 'Install.' However, If you've moved past 1998 and you're running an HD TV, you'll want to take note of your monitor's best native resolution and type out the following string and hit enter:
install video=ps3fb:mode:X
where X is one of the following values: 1,2,3,4 or 5. Refer to the below chart for the correct setting:
1: 480i
2:480p
3: 720p
4: 1080i
5: 1080p
Therefore, if you have a 1080p TV, the text should look like this: install video=ps3fb:mode:5
After you've started the setup, you'll be asked a few questions as the install progresses. Here are our suggested answers.
If possible, choose 'Ethernet' as primary over wireless. If running an Ethernet cable from your router to the PS3 is totally out of the question, then go ahead and highlight wireless instead. Be aware, however, that Ubuntu isn't the best of friends with WPA encryption, and this might confuse the installer and result in an error. A WEP key is a better bet.
Give yourself a network host name. Or, if your imagination has run hopelessly dry, you can just use the default 'Ubuntu' and hit 'Continue.'
When asked whether or not to enable Serial ATA RAID, select 'Yes.'
To tell the OS how to partition the hard disc, select the first option 'Guided – use entire disk,' and then continue.
Give your new Ubuntu sector a login name and a password.
When asked whether or not to setup an encrypted file directory, enter 'No.'
Leave the Http: Proxy field blank when prompted and continue.
The main software installation will now begin. This is the long leg of the journey, and can take upwards of 45 to 60 minutes, but luckily, it shouldn't require any input on your end. For some setups, you might notice that the progress meter gets stuck around 6%, but give it about 15 minutes and it should soldier onward. If you instead receive an error message, or if the 6% stays in place for over an hour (as it did with us the first go around), you probably have a corrupted ISO disk and you'll need to re-burn the ISO file at a slower speed.
Once the installation has finished, go ahead and set your system clock when prompted. After that, you'll be asked to remove the install disk. Do so, and then click enter. Enter your user name and password into the following splash screen, and presto: you're now surfing Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex from the cozy confines of your gigantic plush beanbag.
Step 5: A Few Handy Tips
The terminal is your friend, especially for app installations. To open it, go to 'Application' → 'Accessories' → 'Terminal.'
By default, the Ubuntu / Kboot loader will setup PCM audio, which is an audio codec suitable for most HDMI and Optical connections. We were able to get sound right from the get-go using both an HDMI cable connected to an LCD's integrated speakers as well as an optical cable hitched into a Dolby Digital external receiver. Just make sure Ubuntu's sound isn't muted; to check, double-click the speaker icon in the upper right-hand corner of the desktop and make sure the duo sliders are raised midway up the level bar, not on the very bottom.
To immediately enable multimedia codecs (MP3, etc.) go to the terminal and type this string, and then hit enter:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Firefox comes pre-bundled. Use it!
In case you missed it: to boot back into XMB, shut down the PS3 from within Ubuntu. Once the console has powered off completely, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until you hear a second beep. Release the power button and you'll be forwarded to the PS3's primary OS. Conversely, to load up Ubuntu, just follow the prior instructions on changing the PS3 default OS, and then hit 'Enter' after the text screen loads.
unbutu
Submitted by lmelo on Thu, 08/20/2009 - 2:39pm
I installed unbutu , then the black screen came up and said it may be corrupted and to use rescue cd.
Submitted by gjmcfarland on Sun, 07/19/2009 - 11:05am
Ok, a few comments on your issues:
1) To the people freaking out about their password "not typing," it actually is. Security at the bootloader, shell, or terminal won't even display stars when you're typing the password. It is being entered, though, trust me.
2) For those of you using the installer from this article, the version of Ubuntu being installed is a server edition, meaning the GUI is not automatically installed. To install it (after the disk install is complete), log in with your username and password at the terminal prompt. You'll see a prompt that looks like:
username@hostname:~$ _
At this prompt, type the following:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
Enter your password when prompted, agree to the download and install (it takes about 2 gigs of space), and let it do its thing for a few hours. When it is complete, type the following command to restart the PS3:
sudo shutdown -r 0
When the PS3 restarts, hit Enter when kboot prompts you to do so, then it should boot into the GUI on its own. If not, type the following at the prompt:
startx
3) The first thing you'll want to do when you boot into the desktop is update Ubuntu. Install all 70-some updates but DO NOT install version 9.04! It will NOT work with the PS3 and WILL ruin your installation.
4) Make sure to shut down Ubuntu properly from either the desktop or the terminal (with sudo shutdown -h 0). If not, the next time you boot you will likely get an error in kboot saying the rootfs cannot be found. If this happens, shutdown the PS3, cut power, reapply power, and start it back up and it should be ok.
Hopefully this helps some people out.
Submitted by cvetannico on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 6:27am
I have followed all the instructions but when the OS tells you to take out the cd then there is the black part from the begining and it will ask you the host ubuntu username and password and when you write the username but when it asks you the password you try to write and it dosen't write!!
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!
THANK YOU
Submitted by josuebatista on Sat, 04/11/2009 - 2:16pm
I've followed all the instructions here and i was able to install ubuntu on my ps3.
The problem is that now i cannot go back to the ps3 menu... When i turn the ps3 on, it boots UBUNTU directly...
How can i bring my ps3 back to life???
HELP PLEASE!!!
Thanks in advance!
Submitted by Julio2Rivera on Thu, 07/02/2009 - 2:53pm
In case you missed it: to boot back into XMB, shut down the PS3 from within Ubuntu. Once the console has powered off completely, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until you hear a second beep. Release the power button and you'll be forwarded to the PS3's primary OS.
Conversely, to load up Ubuntu, just follow the prior instructions on changing the PS3 default OS, and then hit 'Enter' after the text screen loads.
Right from the article...
Submitted by simpleton681 on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 5:51am
Touting the PS3 as a fully functional PC is a bit of a stretch. Installing Ubuntu is easy enough, but getting it to a "usable" state is difficult and may be impossible for those who don't have much Linux experience. Also, the PS3 doesn't have enough ram to support any type of functional speed compared to even an older PC you could buy online for $150-$200. If you want an Ubuntu box, skip the PS3 and buy or build yourself something cheap with at least a gig of ram. It would work much better.
Submitted by Alex Silver on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:52pm
Does the remote still work?
Submitted by DoubleR on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:21pm
HAs anyone heard of Boxee installing and working on PS3
I tries this last month and
Submitted by Pentium 0 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 12:05pm
I tries this last month and despite hours of work, wireless refused to work whatsoever. The box was greyed out for it. I dont even have encyrption. It worked on Yellow Dog but that distro is crap. I just gave up.
Submitted by sc123 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 9:03am
I installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my PS3 a few months back and I want everyone to know it's not worth the effort. Here's why:
-Because the PS3 requires the PPC distro of Ubuntu, many popular apps and tools aren't available - at least not in a recent version. You'll have to add sources to even find a lot of them.
-The MaxPC article doesn't bother to mention that Ubuntu on the PS3 runs like garbage. They also don't mention that you can optimize Ubuntu to some extent (i.e. stop certain services from loading), but even with these tweaks it'll still run like crap.
-Good luck getting a Flash player to work - that means no Youtube, Hulu.com, etc. It's because Adobe doesn't make a Flash player for PPC based systems and the alternatives are weak at best. After hours of toil I got one to work but it's slow and buggy.
Honstely, I was really disappointed with Ubuntu on PS3. It's so slow and limited that I can't really see the point. I think every "how to run Linux on PS3" article should have a big fat disclaimer on the top that says "Prepare to spend a day or two setting it up, and it'll still run like crap".
Submitted by stan.kjar on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:27am
What are the functional limitations of using Ubuntu on the PS3? I read a while ago that VLC wouldn't play high def videos on a PS3. Is that still true?
Submitted by btrapp on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:15am
Thanks for the article - I've been trying to decide if i *need* a PS3 and the fact that getting it to run Linux is so easy is helping to seal the deal.
Once small error (I think?), you said "Gnome goes for a cleaner look and a more sparse desktop approach,
catered more for the typical user. XFCE shoots more for the higher-end
minutia detail-driven crowd" but I think that's flipped.In my experience at least XFCE is the super clean, super sparse desktop and Gnome the one with more eye candy.
Thanks for the article!
Submitted by popstop785 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:20am
Just to be clear, if I were to do this, I could still play the very few games I play on it just like normal?
Yes, you still play games on
Submitted by Havoc06 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:02am
Yes, you can still play games on your PS3 after installing Ubuntu like normal. But remember to back up your saved games first. This process does NOT delete XMB, it simply dual-boots between the PS3's native OS and the new Ubuntu partition.
Submitted by popstop785 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:42am
Gotcha! Thanks for clearing that up for me :)
Off to Newegg now to grab a larger HDD :D
RPM Speed
Submitted by Caboose on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:08am
Actually, a 7200rpm drive will work in the PS3. I've got a Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATAII drive installed in my PS3 and it runs like a charm. There has been a bit of a decrease in load times, save times, access times. There is a little more warmth, but meh.
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by Julio2Rivera on Thu, 07/02/2009 - 2:59pm
Just wanted to clear up...its a 5,400 rpm drive not 5,200 as typed in the article.
Submitted by Havoc06 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:07am
I've heard mixed results on using 7,200 rpm drives, so I chose to ere on the side of caution. I also used a 7,200 rpm drive with success, but I would caution people that it's a gamble...
Submitted by comptech08 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:30am
this is pretty cool, makes me actually want to buy PS3. I wish i could triple boot it, Linux, windows 7, and the PS3 OS whatever its called :)
I would also like to dual boot linux on a 360. Is that possible? Well i am off to google to find out.
Windows on PS3
Submitted by Sebastianem on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:17am
Not to say that booting Windows 7 on a PS3 wouldn't be bad ass, 'cause it would be, unfortunately the PS3 uses a PowerPC proc and as of right now, I'm pretty sure there is not a PowerPC compiled version of Windows 7 in the wild. Yet...(Muhahahahahaha...ha...ha...h..a).
XBOX360, No idea. It must be possible. Um, yes Google? I'll be right there...
Submitted by chronium on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:01am
it is possible but it requires more hacking to get it done, since this was a designed feature for the PS3 its a shame though that its still only limited to 10gb I thought they would have patched it to allow more room by now
Check out appnr.com too for
Submitted by Vadi on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:25am
Check out appnr.com too for installing apps: http://appnr.com/
Along with getdeb.net: http://getdeb.net/
The requested URL
Submitted by dankers on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:51pm
The requested URL /ports/releases/8.10/release/ubuntu-8.10-alternate-powerpc+ps3.ISO was not found on this server.
Submitted by mikec on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 10:18am
ok so i just installed linux but it seems to be all comand prompt i don't even know what to type to get it to restart so i can go back to my ps3 os plz help
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