PS3 Linux - 1. Installing YDL 5.0
Setting up
- As stated earlier I will cover the install of Yellow Dog Linux but only briefly (mainly the things I found to be unclear will be covered). For more, specific details on installing YDL 5.0.* see this webpage for text mode (some information taken from that site directly, thank you and credits to you on those parts);
- A playstation with firmware 1.6 / 1.7 / 1.8 or newer (to allow for an installation of another OS)
- A TV supporting the video modes supported by your PS3, video cables (composite / RGB / HDMI) and Yellow Dog Linux (personally tested 576p 480i and 720p on my USA system)
- USB keyboard and mouse (two separate units, not an all in one solution) plug-and-play compliant
- Memory Stick™, SD Memory Card, CompactFlash®, or USB mass storage device such as a USB flash drive; FAT formatted (needed only once to prepare the installation)
- A YDL 5.* install DVD for PS3, burned
- The OtherOS.bld file
- The OtherOS.self file
And this PDF file by terrasoft themselves (just rehosted by me, all credit where it is due) covering install via the graphical system.
To install Yellow Dog Linux (5.0.*) you will need a few items;
At the top level of the Flash drive create a directory named "PS3". Underneath the "PS3" directory, create another directory named "otheros" and copy the bootloader "otheros.bld" and OtherOS.self into the "PS3/otheros" directory.
Partitioning and installing kboot
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Now to create space for your Yellow Dog installation (THIS WILL REMOVE ALL DATA FROM YOUR PS3 HARD-DISK, normal PS3 functionality will however be preserved, PROCEED IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THAT) and install the bootloader.
- Go to "Settings --> System settings --> Format utility"
- There select "format disk" and then "Custom"
- You can now choose if you want to use 10 gigabytes for the PS3 OS or for Linux, this is a personal choice however I recommend you use 10 gigs for the PS3 OS. Select your choice and let the PS3 format
- Now instert the flash medium you have prepared with the PS3 data on it
- Go to "Settings --> System settings --> Install OtherOS". You should now be asked if you want to install the otherOS loader from your flash device, select yes. Once done go back to the main menu and remove your flash medium.
- Insert the YDL DVD and go to "Settings --> System settings --> default system --> Other OS". "Do you want to reboot", select yes. Your system will now reboot into kboot (the otherOS loader)
Your system will reboot when done
Installing
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After a few seconds, the kboot: prompt appears on the screen. You will then have about 10 seconds to enter the first commands before the system will start in default mode (Yellow Dog graphical install in HDMI).
- After a little while you will be greeted by a welcome screen which you can simply acknowlidge with OK. Remember this is text based installing and you can only use your keyboard now.
- Select the desired language from the scroll list and confirm with OK.
- Select the desired keyboard encoding from the scroll list and confirm with OK.
- A warning appears that all data will be erased while initializing the hard disk. Confirm with YES. Remember that the PS3™ OS resides in a secure area which will not be affected.
Make sure to enter installtext (for YDL text install) for the Yellow Dog Text based installation (for screens with no high def. support) if needed for your TV/screen before that happens.
If you should have missed to enter the command in time, switch the PLAYSTATION®3 off and on again. You will get to the kboot: prompt again.
I will personally cover text install (as that shoudl work for all systems) --> I typed "installtext" at the kboot promt.
- From the Partitioning Type menu select Remove all partitions for
and confirm with OK. A warning appears asking whether you are sure to remove all partitions. Confirm with YES. - You are asked to review the partition layout and apply modifications. You can deny with NO, and you can agree with YES. If you choose YES I have found that I was unable to fully manually use a custom partitioning layout. I *HAD* to select default layout / template which I could then change in order for me to change anything.
This isn't important to you if you don't want to do this manually (you can ruin your installation if you do it wrong), you can just accept the default setup which is good enough.- You will now be promted for a ROOT password, so feel free to enter whatever you like however remember this password well.
The user ROOT is similar to the administrator in Windows. It is the user with ALL rights which should only be used for generall maintenance or installing applications. I've read many guides that suggest you keep using your root account however this is most unwise as the root user can quite easily ruin your installation. If not already done I will cover how to create a user for normal use later in this guide
- The system retrieves installation information and performs a dependency check. After a while confirm the Installation to begin dialog with OK to start the Linux installation when promted.
- You are asked to review the partition layout and apply modifications. You can deny with NO, and you can agree with YES. If you choose YES I have found that I was unable to fully manually use a custom partitioning layout. I *HAD* to select default layout / template which I could then change in order for me to change anything.
- Now the installation starts while showing several progress bars and windows. Note that this will take about one hour. Once the installation has finished, the DVD is ejected and the Complete dialog appears. Then select Reboot and press the ENTER key.
- After the system has rebooted type ydl480i at the kboot: prompt and press the ENTER key (other options are available).
- You will then be promted for several configuration options which we will later set up graphically. So unless you have a special interest in setting up the keyboard, network, printer, etc. configuration now, you can leave the Setup Agent dialog with Exit.
This concludes the basic installation. You will now be taken into a console where you can log in (text). Login by typing "root", then hit [return] and enter your root-password. once you are logged in you can do anything but let's start by telling the OS to start graphical mode next time it starts. Type "vi /etc/inittab". You will now be taken into a text editor, to start changing things press the "i" key. Now look for a section that says "id:3:initdefault:" and change it to "id:5:initdefault:". To exit the editor and save your file hit the [Esc] key and then type ":wq!". Now you will be taken to the console once again.
You can now reboot your system by typing "shutdown -h now" or restart to the game-os (the PS3 OS) by typing "boot-game-os".
You can now also start the graphical system if you prefer (and carry on with the guide). Just type "init 5" and press [Return]. You'll be greeted by the graphical user interface (you might have to login first, this is similar to logging in in the console; enter "root" and then your root password).
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