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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Once the emulator finishes setting up, close the terminal and locate the launcher in 'Applications' → 'Games' → 'Snes9express.' Open up the software and immediately find the 'Controllers' tab. Whatever you do, don't ever configure the Sixaxis or Dualshock to a different set of buttons, that will lead to Ubuntu SNES disaster. All you need to do is select 'Devices' on the right, and then enter the following line beside Pad1 in replacement of the existing data: /dev/input/js0
Go ahead and hit 'Close.'
Now find the 'Sound' tab. Ensure a box is checked next to 'sound,' 'stereo,' 'filters,' and 'thread sound.'
Click the video tab. Here, place a check next to 'scale,' 'high-res,' and 'full screen.' Don't worry about any of the other options
Now go to the 'ROM' tab, click the folder icon near the far right-hand side of the screen, and locate your SNES ROM files
Select the title you wish to play, and then after the directory string is listed in the text box, click 'Power' to start the game. If anything goes wrong, or if you mistakingly tried to finagle your controller to a different scheme, just click the 'Reset' button to undo your custom settings.
VLC Player
VLC is an extremely flexible and stable jack‐of‐all‐trades media player that allows you to view all of your (legally) downloaded movies and personally created film strips. It even covers the often elusive MP4 format as well. It's easy to utilize, but it's rich in functionality. Grab it by reading below.
Open up a terminal and type the following, pressing enter afterwords:
sudo apt-get update
Now, on the next line, type this next string, hitting enter at the end:
sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-esd mozilla-plugin-vlc
Let the process complete, and then close the terminal. Now go to 'Applications' → 'Sound and Video' → 'VLC Media Player.' When first launched, choose your downloaded album art preference (default to manual download only) and then continue to finish the setup.
To play movies, find the 'Media' tab and then click 'Open File.'
Now use the drop-down menu to search for your movies. When you've found one, just click 'Play,' and VLC will begin your video.
And that's all there is to it. Enjoy!
Ubuntu vs. Xubuntu
While the titles of Ubuntu and Xubuntu are differentiated by a single letter, in reality, these two Linux distros have a few notable differences. Basically, Xubuntu is lighter resource-wise, and some have noted better performance on the PS3 due to the console's rather limited memory bandwidth. But the biggest gap between the two platforms is the window wrapper that runs them (Xubuntu gets its fuel from XFCE, where Ubuntu cruises on raw uncut Gnome). 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 it's important to note that while Xubuntu can be a more nimble contender in the modifying and resource arena, Ubuntu enjoys a powerful uppercut with an overall larger application diversity base and a simpler directory experience. Really though, all said and done, it just comes down to personal taste and preference, as many of the big apps like VLC, Skype, etc. are easily attainable for either OS. You can always redo the installation steps at the beginning of this article if you wish to wipe out one for the other on your PS3, so feel free to experiment with both!
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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