How to Install Yellow Dog Linux on Your PS3

Installing Linux on the Sony PS3

When Sony designed and developed the PlayStation 3, they did so with more than just gaming in mind. In many ways, the PS3 is as powerful as any modern computer. A wide variety of hard drive sizes are available, from 20GB all the way up to 250GB. That detail alone is proof positive that the designers of the PS3 weren’t expecting people to stick solely to games like Guitar Hero when using this console. Savvy gamers know that in order to get the most out of the PS3, you have to install a different operating system; Linux is the operating system of choice.

For a while, Sony toyed with the idea of including Linux with the PS3. The idea was abandoned when developers realized how much more work would be involved on their end. With admirable foresight, though, they designed the PS3 in such a way that adding Linux to it is surprisingly easy. You don’t have to be a hardcore hacker in order to get Linux on PS3. Below, we’re going to walk you through the relatively simple process of setting up Linux for PS3, using the simplest strategy possible: Yellow Dog Linux PS3. Unleash the full potential of your PS3 by following the straightforward instructions below.

Why Should You Install Linux on Your PS3?

Before getting into the specifics of getting Linux on PS3, you may still be wondering why you should even bother. You know how the PS3 is also a Blu-Ray played? Well, it can be transformed into a full-fledged media machine when it’s running on Linux. The Linux operating system makes it easy to handle and manage all of your media needs, allowing you to save data and interact online effortlessly. If you don’t have a computer, your PS3 can double as one; if you do have a PC, the PS3 can be your backup.

If you’re reticent about installing Yellow Dog Linux PS3, it’s understandable; however, you need to know that there is truly nothing to worry about. Thousands of other gamers have already installed Linux on their consoles, and are already enjoying all of the benefits of doing so. Keep in mind that Sony developers actually included menu options for installing new operating systems on the PS3; you’re not “hacking” your machine when you install Linux on it, and you don’t have to fret about inadvertently damaging it. The trick is to use the following instructions to get Linux for PS3.

What You’ll Need

Although you’re probably eager to get on with it and to get Linux on PS3, you’re going to have to make sure that you have everything you’ll need to do so first. Round up all of the following items before proceeding with the installation of Yellow Dog Linux PS3:

• Yellow Dog Linux PS3 on DVD – This is definitely the most essential tool for installing Linux on PS3. More detailed instructions on how to obtain Yellow Dog are outlined below.
• A USB Jump Drive – In order to transfer data from your PC to your PS3 quickly and easily, you’re going to need a USB jump drive. Make sure that the one you choose has a capacity of at least 10GB; otherwise, you might run into trouble.
• A PS3 – This may seem rather obvious, but you’re going to need an actual PS3. Although a 20GB-capacity PS3 will work, you’ll have a bit more wiggle room by working with one that has at least 60GB.
• A Computer with a DVD-Writable Drive – In order to make any of this work, you’re going to need a PC with a DVD-writable drive. You’ll need that drive to burn the DVDs that you’ll use to install Linux for PS3, especially in order to create a Yellow Dog Linux PS3 DVD.
• A Mouse and a Keyboard for the PS3 – To install Linux on PS3, you’re going to need these peripherals. They’ll be necessary in the future, too, when you actually run and use your Linux operating system on the PS3.

Downloading and Preparing Yellow Dog Linux PS3

The quickest, easiest way to track down Yellow Dog Linux PS3 online is through a torrent site. If you have a torrent site that you currently use, chances are that it has Yellow Dog available. The file size should be approximately 3.33GB. From there:

1. Open up a DVD burning program; Nero is a solid one to use.
2. Burn the image of the Yellow Dog Linux PS3 file to your hard drive using the on-screen instructions
3. Locate the downloaded Yellow Dog Linux PS3 file on your hard drive and select it.
4. Burn a copy of the file to a DVD; burn at 8x or below for best results.

Preparing Your USB Jump Drive

Next, you’re going to want to get your USB jump drive ready for action. Follow these simple steps to acquire the appropriate boot loader for installing Linux on your PS3:

1. Connect your USB jump drive to your PC.
2. Create a folder on the USB drive; name it “PS3.”
3. Open up the newly-created “PS3″ folder; create a sub-folder in it called “otherOS.”
4. Download the following file:

     PlayStation3 OtherOS Installer AKA otheros.self (1.3 MiB, 676 hits)

5. Save the downloaded file to the “otherOS” sub-folder on your USB jump drive.
6. Remove USB jump drive from your PC.

Preparing Your PS3

The next step in putting Linux on PS3 is getting the actual console ready. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Back up all data – the memory on your PS3 gets wiped out during the Linux for PS3 installation process.
2. Connect the mouse and keyboard to your PS3
3. Reformat your PS3′s hard disc drive by following these command prompts: Settings –> System Settings –> Format Utility –> Format Hard Drive –> Yes –> Yes
4. Change the partition settings for the hard disc to “custom.”
5. During the allotment phase, make sure to allot 10GB to the PS3. The Linux for PS3 should be allotted at least 10GB in order to perform optimally. This all depends on the size of the hard drive of your PS3.
6. Once you’ve made all of these selections, the drive for your PS3 will be formatted; let the process run its course and do not turn off the PS3 until it is complete.
7. When reformatting is complete, exit the program and reboot your PS3.

Installing the Boot Loader

Now it’s time to get the boot loader that you downloaded earlier set up on your PS3. Do that by following these steps:

1. Insert the USB jump drive into your PS3.
2. Under the GameOS menu, follow these command prompts: Settings –> System Settings –> Install Other OS
3. The PS3 should automatically detect the otheros.self boot loader file from your USB jump drive.
4. Press the “x” button to install. During installation, the screen will go blank; this is normal.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts, including the license agreement, to complete the installation.
6. Turn off the PS3.

Installing Yellow Dog Linux PS3

The final – and most important – step in the process of getting Linux for PS3 is installing Yellow Dog. Use the following steps in order to do so:

1. Turn on the PS3.
2. Put the Yellow Dog Linux PS3 DVD in your PS3.
3. In most cases, Yellow Dog Linux PS3 will begin to install automatically. All you’ll have to do is enter the Anaconda installer program when prompted to do so. From there, you’ll just need to follow the on-screen instructions.
4. When prompted, select “automatic partitioning.” If a warning dialog screen pops up, don’t worry; this is normal when installing Linux on PS3.
5. If you’ve never installed Linux on PS3 before, choose the “remove all Linux partitions” option, since you don’t have any saved Linux data to worry about.
6. You will be prompted to choose a Linux password. Make sure to jot it down somewhere for safekeeping.
7. The program will check for package dependencies. This only takes a couple of minutes.
8. A default package set comes along with the Yellow Dog Linux PS3 program. It includes a standard array of the most useful and popular applications. Package selection takes about an hour.
9. When package selection is complete, reboot your PS3. Type “ydl” into the boot loader menu.
10. Run the “firstboot” function in order to make all of the necessary configurations.
11. To log into Linux for PS3, your username will be “root.” Use the password that you selected previously.
12. When the command prompt appears, simply type in “startx.” Your Yellow Dog Linux PS3 will start.

As long as you follow the preceding steps as directed, you should have no problem getting Linux on PS3. In no time at all, you’ll see why having this powerful operating system on your PS3 is so incredibly beneficial and useful.

If you find this guide difficult to follow or simply want an easier way to install Linux onto your PS3 please check out PS3Magic. Receive one on one support along with everything that you need to get going. Also always know that the best way to copy your PS3 games is to use Game Copy Pro.

Tags: linux on ps3, playstation 3 linux, ps3 linux, ps3 linux yellow, ps3 yellow dog, yellow dog linux ps3

Category: How To Guides