In this detailed guide we will walk you through how to install the Linux-distribution Ubuntu on your PlayStation 3 console. Please be noted that you will need about 10GB free for this to work, so it does not really pay to have an alternate OS if you are on a stock 40GB PS3 model

Requirements

There is not much necessary for this guide but the most important is the actual UbuntuPS3 release, currently in version 7.10.

[Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...]- This is the ISO image of UbuntuPS3. You will need to burn this to disc, preferably at a speed slower than 16x. If you need help burning ISO images, please read this guide : [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...].

You will also need a USB mouse and keyboard for this, as the PS3 sixaxis or DS3 controllers cannot type when installing the Ubuntu distro.

The next step is necessary, backing up all your content and game saves before formatting the hard drive so please head to the next page to learn how to do so.

Backing up Your Content

Luckily for us, Sony makes a full system backup very easy, however, if you want to manually backup only a few items (such as game saves but don't care for the trailers) it is a bit more tedious.

It is also important to note that any info such as your PSN info, and other system settings will be saved in the flash memory so it will stay saved even though you replace the hard drive.



Full Backup (this will copy all pictures, music, game saves, and movies you have on the hard drive):


While in the XMB, head over to System Settings, then Backup Utility. Choose Backup when asked and finally select the device you want to backup the system too. This will be the external hard drive, flash drive or memory card you brought from the requirements. Depending on how much content you have, this could take a few seconds to 30 minutes.



Manual backup: (Select what you want to save)




For manual backup, head over to Games, then Saved Data Utility and finally to the game save you want to backup. Hit TRIANGLE on it and select Copy and select where you want it copied to. Press enter and let it copy. Rinse and repeat for everything else you want backed up.


On the next page we will get to the actual installation of the alternate OS.

Creating a new partition for Ubuntu

Formatting your drive



To format your drive, head over to Settings, then System Settings and finally Format Utility. When asked if you are sure you want to format, hit yes. For partition select Custom and then "Allot 10GB to the Other OS." Finally, select Quick Format and wait 30 seconds for it to format. When completed, your PS3 will restart.



Installing kboot



At this point you will be greeted by the XMB and a fresh install. It is now time to install the new OS. Grab your CD you burnt in the Requirements section and insert it in the PS3. Head over to System and hit Install Other OS. You will be asked to select what OS so select the Ubuntu and hit Start. This will install the kboot Linux installer which will allow you to have both XMB and Ubuntu running as a dual boot on your PS3.




Installing the full OS




Head over to Settings again and back to System Settings and finally to Default System. Hit X here and select Other OS to make it the default. When asked to quit the XMB and load the other OS hit Yes. You will then be greeted with a new Linux command screen. At this point please hook up the mouse and keyboard to the USB ports as you will need them. Type in install into the command line and wait for Ubuntu to load.

Note: Please note that if you are not getting full resolution here you will need to make a very quick command before typing "install".

For example, my HDTV is 1080p capable through HDMI but I was only receiving 480p output resolution making it very hard for me to even install the OS. You will need to type the following command into the command line of kboot to make sure output resolution is correct.

install video=ps3fb:mode:X

The X however, is a variable and you must select numbers based on the following chart.

0:auto mode
YUV 60Hz 1:480i 2:480p 3:720p 4:1080i 5:1080p
YUV 50Hz 6:576i 7:576p 8:720p 9:1080i 10:1080p
RGB 60Hz 33:480i 34:480p 35:720p 36:1080i 37:1080p
RGB 50Hz 38:576i 39:576p 40:720p 41:1080i 42:1080p
VESA 11:WXGA 12:SXGA 13:WUXGA

For my example, I chose 5 first, then tried 37 and finally tried 13 and it appeared to me that 5 looked the best so I stuck with it. You may be different so mess around with it until you have found the best resolution for your setup.

Therefore, my command line post looked like this: install video=ps3fb:mode:5. Another option is to type ps3videomode -v 5 if the first command does not work.


On the next page we will go over the actual physical installation of the new OS and its various options


Installing the new OS










After changing the output resolution and typing "install" into kboot wait 2-5 minutes and finally the nice Ubuntu wallpaper will show up and the first of 7 steps will show up.

The first step is selecting the language you want. I selected English. Hit Forward to move to the next screen.



The next step is selecting where in the world you are. If you are connected to the Internet it will automatically find where you are but if not you may have to select is manually. There is a small glitch in this step however. Sometimes you will pick the correct timezone, but the clock will still be incorrect. This can be corrected once Ubuntu is installed so don't worry. Once you have set your correct location hit Forward once again to move to the next step.



The next step is simple as well, selecting the type of keyboard layout you want. I have selected US English and tested out the layout in the provided box. Once again, hit Forward to move on.



The next step is equally as simple. Select Guided and make sure /dev/ps3da- 10.7GB is selected. Hit forward one more time and we are almost done.



The final step is to add all your user information (as if it were Windows or Linux on the PC) including name, user name, password to login and the name of your PC for identification on a home network. Finally, hit forward one last time and make sure all of your details are correct. Hit Install and let it go!



In about 30-40 minutes, Ubuntu will have installed on your system and you can now use the many features of having Linux on your PS3.


In about 30-40 minutes, Ubuntu will have installed on your system and you can now use the many features of having Linux on your PS3.
(Don't forget to download VLC for Linux so you can play those pesky MKV files.)

Important note



An important note for users who want to go back to the XMB to play games. When kboot loader launches type in boot-game-os to launch XMB. Simple as that.

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