A. Sundararajan's Weblog

Installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my PS3

Ubuntu on PS3

I wanted to install Ubuntu on my PlayStation 3.

My Setup

• PS3 is NTSC 60 GB hard disk version - updated with firmware version 2.42.
• PS3 is connected to 32 inch 720p Sony LCD TV via HDMI.
• PS3 is connected to wireless network.

Stuff needed in addition to the above

1. USB keyboard.
2. USB mouse.
3. CD burned with Ubuntu powerpc iso (ubuntu-8.10-alternate-powerpc+ps3.iso).

Preparing PS3

1. Backup your PS3 hard disk using [Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Backup Utility] menu. I didn't bother to backup the hard disk.
2. Go to [Settings] -> [System Settings] > [Format Utility] menu.
3. Select [Format Hard Disk] and click [Yes].
4. Choose [Custom] and [Allot 10GB to the Other OS].
5. Select [Quick Format] and confirm with [Yes].

Installing Ubuntu

1. Connect USB keyboard and mouse to PS3.
2. Insert the disk with Ubuntu iso image into PS3.
3. Go to [Settings] -> [System Settings] > [Install Other OS]. PS3 will detect the install CD and copy files and instruct you to ..
4. Select [Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Default System] -> [Other OS]. This will boot PS3 with other OS. From then onwards, follow the Ubuntu installation instructions.

Small hiccup

The installation was smooth except for one small issue - the installation seemed to hang in "Select and install software" step. After 6% the progress bar did not increase at all! Fortunately, this seems to be a known issue with text mode installer. Please refer to Ubuntu 8.10 release notes and bug 290234. I pressed Alt-F4 and Alt-F1 to toggle between logging console and main screen to check the progress. Eventually, the installation completed! While installing I configured network as well -- i.e., giving WEP password etc. -- not sure if this is mandatory, but in my case I have wireless connectivity and so I supplied the configuration values for the same.

Switching between Operating Systems

• From Ubuntu to Game OS, use the command

  
      sudo boot-game-os
  
  

• From Game OS to Ubuntu, use the menu

  
     [Settings] -> [System Settings] -> [Default System] -> [Other OS]
  
  

Few Screenshots

• Install Screen
• Login Screen
• GNU chess
• Network update

( Dec 23 2008, 03:53:01 PM IST ) Permalink Comments [4] | | | | |