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[Tutorial] How to Configure & Install the Debian GNU/Linux squeeze on Playstation3
(PS3)
Preface:
the Playstation3 is a kick ass machine/computer! It has a CELL
processor and
256 mb ram (plus 256, from the video card, used as ram); it is a power
tool that can run Linux perfectly well and stable! I've tested many
Linux distributions (Yellow Dog Linux 6.1,
Gentoo ppc64, Fedora11, Ubuntu and some others); Debian squeeze
PowerPC64 and
Slackintosh are the champions of performance and stability! I'll try to
explain how to install and configure the Debian squeeze PowerPC64, in a
simple way! It isn't a hard procedure; just follow this step-by-step tutorial.
I) Its mandatory to own a:
Playstation3;
USB keyboard;
USB pendrive / USB memory stick;
Debian's GNU/Linux PowerPC64(ppc64) squeeze daily CD/DVD;
Network connection(easier to do with a wired connection / non-wireless);
Video(TV or monitor that has, at least, 480p or 480i support).
Ia) Non-mandatory, but recommended:
USB mouse;
USB external Hard Disk;
USB HUB 2.0;
II)
Preparation:
Download Debian
squeeze PowerPC64(ppc64) install CD and burn it;
Copy the vmlinux file to the root (/) of your USB pendrive;
Copy the otheros.bld file to the USB Pendrive, in a folder called /PS3/otheros/
(PS3 in UPPERCASE);
Copy the xorg.conf file to the root (/) of your USB Pendrive;
III)
PS3's Preparation:
It is necessary to format the PS3's HD! Beware! Make a backup of your games/savegames. To format your PS3's HD, do as I suggest:
On your PS3's menu, go to Settings, then to System Settings and then, Format Utility;
select Format Hard Disk,
select Yes; then, select, Custom and Allocate 10GB to the other OS.
Select Quick Format;
when it finnishes, press X on your PS3 controller to restart the system. It's done!
After the reboot, go to Settings,
System Settings and Install Other OS. Plug your USB Pendrive with the file otheros.bld in the /PS3/otheros/
dir. The system will tell you that the file has been found!
Select Start. When it shows the Install Completed message, press O on your PS3 Controller.
Now, go to Settings,
then System Settings 'n then, Default System.
Select OtherOS. Select Yes.
IV)Installing the Debian GNU/Linux squeeze ppc:
Insert the Debian's CD on your PS3 drive. Keep plugged your USB
Pendrive and plug your USB Keyboard.
The kboot shall recognize all your devices. I'll use the
kboot, instead of the Petitboot, cause kboot has more tools than the Petitboot one.
After some seconds, shall be shown the kboot's prompt, as follows:
Nowlets find where is mounted your precious USB Pendrive. At
the kboot's prompt type: (You'll aways type what is written in red):
kboot: cat /proc/partitions |
grep sd
8
0 1986560 sda
8 0
1986560 sda1
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Look for something like sdXY. For me, it was on sda1. PS: keep/memorize this address!!!
To start the installation, type:
kboot: sda1:/vmlinux
initrd=/install/powerpc64/initrd.gz video=720pf
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Where video=720pf is the video mode to be used. Ex: 1080if,
1080pf, 720if, 720pf, 480if, 480pf. Use the highest value that your monitor/TV can handle!
If you did as I told, we are now at the Debian's squeeze install screen!!!
V) System's base install:
Select the language as English--English and press ENTER; select your country(or area). Example: other / South America / Bra$il;
Select your USB keyboard layout as American
English (later, it will be reconfigured);
The installer will show a screen asking: "Continue the install without loading
kernel modules?". Select <Yes>.
Everything will run ok, until it prompts for:
Hostname:
Type, as an example, debianPS3 and select <Continue> ENTER;
Now, it will prompt for:
Domain name:
Type your network's domain name. Example: HOME
; select <Continue> ENTER;
Select your TimeZone.
Example: Sao Paulo
ENTER;
It will prompt: "Logical
Volume Manager not available". Select
<Continue>ENTER;
Select Guided partitioning, and then Guided - use entire disk; then /dev/ps3da -
10.7GB. Now, select All
files in one partition;
Select Finish partitioning
and write changes to disk ;
Prolly, we shall have:
partition
#1 of /dev/ps3da
as ext3
partition #5 of
/dev/ps3da as swap
Selecione <Yes> to Write
Changes to disk ;
The installation will begin. Wait some 3 minutes;
Now, it will prompt: "No
installation kernel was found ..." Select
<Yes> ENTER;
Now its time to type your super-user password(root's pass). DO NOT FORGET THIS PASSWORD!!!
Re-type the same password: ********* and Press ENTER;
Now, type your full name. Press ENTER;
Confirm or type your desired Username (name/login of your common user account);
Type a password for your common user and press ENTER;
Re-type the same pass: ********** and press ENTER;
Now, we will have to choose the mirros! Do not skip this step:
Select the country where you live (or the closest one). Example: Bra$il;
Now, select the mirror. Example: debian.las.ic.unicamp.br
If you need, type your Proxy settings. If you don't, press ENTER (for me, ENTER);
The installer will scan the mirror and download some files!
Wait (won't take a long time);
The installer will install the downloaded files. Wait;
It will prompt for: "Configuring
popularity-contest". Select <No> ENTER;
Now, it will prompt for: "Software
Selection". Select ONLY 'Standard System'. To remove the 'Desktop Environment' select it with the downside arrow and press the SPACEBAR. After its removal, press
ENTER;
It will install more files! Wait some 5 minutes;
It will finally prompt for: "Continue
without bootloader". Select <Continue> ENTER.
Now, its time to restart the system! Press ENTER. The
Debian GNU/Linux was succesfully installed. Store your CD-Rom. KEEP the USB pendrive plugged;
VI) 1st time boot:
At the kboot's prompt, type:
| kboot: sda1:/vmlinux
root=/dev/ps3da1 video=720pf |
where sda1 is your pendrive's mount point; video=720pf is the video mode, substitute this values as needed;
After the system's start, a prompt will show (as below):
Debian GNU/Linux
squeeze/sid debianPS3 tty1
debianPS3 login:
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Type root ENTER, and then, type your root's password ENTER;
PS: when you see, in this tutorial, debianPS3:~# (blue color and inside a table's cell), the command shall be executed at the system's prompt;
Now we will configure the keyboard. Type (aways type what is written in red letters...):
debianPS3:~# dpkg-reconfigure console-data
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Select
'Select keymap from full list' and press ENTER;
Select your USB keyboard's map. For me it is:
pc / qwerty /
Brazilian / Standard
/ Standard ABNT2. Pressione ENTER;
If it shows some error message, don't bother with it! :-)
Now its time to customize your system and time to install a new kernel for it!!!
VIa) Updating the
Debian's squeeze database:
If you did it all, as I told, type, now:
| debianPS3:~# aptitude update |
'N then;
| debianPS3:~# aptitude dist-upgrade |
Aptitude is the Debian's package manager. It will be used a lot in this tutorial; now that your system is updated, type:
And then, type:
debianPS3:~# nano .bashrc
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Remove the # of the following lines of the .bashrc file:
export
LS_OPTIONS
eval "'dircolors'"
alias ls='ls.................'
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Press"Ctrl x"
ENTER; "Ctrl o"; Now we have a terminal with dir colors!!!
VIb) To compile and install a brand new kernel(E.Z. mode method):
Type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install links
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Type:
Now, type:
debianPS3:~# links
www.kernel.org/pub/linux/v2.6/
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Press the Down Arrow key(or Page Down) untill you find:
linux-2.6.30.tar.bz2
Press the "d" key and press ENTER. Wait until its finnished (the download)
When it ends, press "q" and ENTER. Type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install bzip2
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Type:
debianPS3:~# tar xvf linux-2.6.30.tar.bz2
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Type:
debianPS3:~# cd linux-2.6.30/
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Type:
debianPS3:~# wget
http://ps3linux.radiolivre.org/files/config-2.6.30
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Type:
debianPS3:~# cp config-2.6.30
.config
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(dont forget the .
before the config)
Type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install gcc-4.4
gcc ncurses-dev
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Press"y" ENTER;
Type:
| debianPS3:~# make menuconfig |
Select
'Load an Alternate Configuration File'
and press ENTER;
Select 'Save an Alternate
Configuration File' and press ENTER twice;
Press the RightSide Arrow, select 'Exit'
and press ENTER;
Now type:
debianPS3:~# make && make
modules_install
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Wait some 56 minutes and 55 seconds :-P
Type:
debianPS3:~# cp vmlinux
/boot/vmlinux-2.6.30-dimebag
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And, finally, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install build-essential
initramfs-tools
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VIc) Configuring the startup scripts:
Now we have to edit the kboot.conf. Just type:
debianPS3:~# nano /etc/kboot.conf
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Insert the following lines on it:
default=debian
timeout=15
debian='/boot/vmlinux-2.6.30-dimebag
root=/dev/ps3da1 quiet
video=ps3fb:mode:131 rhgb'
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Press "Ctrl o" ENTER and then, "Ctrl x".
Done!
PS: the value mode:131 is equal to 720pf. To change it to satisfy your TV/Monitor needs, use the table below:
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
full screen mode: <video mode ID> + 128
dither ON mode : <video mode ID> + 2048
For me: 131 = 128 + 3, it means: Full Screen 'n 720p.
Type:
And then, type::
debianPS3:~# wget
http://ps3linux.radiolivre.org/files/fstab
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VId) Downloading the ps3-utils package:
Digite:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
ps3-utils ps3pf-utils
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VIe) Configuring the sound:
Type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
alsa alsa-base
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Type:
Type:
Type:
Type:
Then, type:
debianPS3:~# cp
/usr/share/alsa/cards/PS3.conf /etc/alsa/cards/
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Finally, type:
| debianPS3:~# nano
/etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base-blacklist.conf |
Edit the file, adding the following lines on it:
blacklist
snd-pcsp
blacklist snd_usb_audio
blacklist snd_usb_lib
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VIf) How to make your PS3's RAM twice as big:
This dirty trick I learned with the help of my friend Rafael
(the miracle man)! You can use the PlayStation3 video RAM as a regular
RAM, which I approve! You'll use the video RAM as an extra swap!
To double your RAM, follow these tips:
Type:
debianPS3:~# cd /etc/rc2.d/
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Type:
debianPS3:~# wget
http://ps3linux.radiolivre.org/files/S98ps3-vram-swap
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Finally, type:
| debianPS3:~# chmod +x S98ps3-vram-swap |
It's done!!! It's time to Reboot. Remove your USB pendrive and insert, if you own one, an USB mouse.
Press "Ctrl
Alt Del"!
Now you have a working and installed system! Congratzzz :-)
VIIa) Installing the graphic interface:
PS: one USB mouse is an extremelly hot deal for this;
Log in as root 'n type your root's pass;
Then, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
xserver-xorg-video-fbdev xfonts-base
x11-server-utils
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Type::
debianPS3:~# cd /etc/X11/
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Type::
debianPS3:~# wget
http://ps3linux.radiolivre.org/files/xorg.conf
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Type:
debianPS3:~# nano xorg.conf
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Change
the below lines: (on Section
"InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard")
Option "XkbModel" "abnt2'
Option "XkbLayout" "br"
To suit your needs!!!!
Now, type:
You'll see one screen with a mouse cursor! Move the mouse to test it;
Press "Ctrl Alt Backspace" to go back to the terminal.
VIIb) Installing one Desktop Environment:
There are dozens of pre-compilled Desktops for the Debian! I recommend some light on/low memory ones, like the E16 or the XFce4.
To install the XFce4, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
xfce4 xfce4-appfinder xdm
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Done! Reboot the system!!!
VIII) Installing some common applications:
If you followed this step-by-step tutorial, we are the xdm login manager now!
Press "Ctrl
Alt F1" to go back to the terminal screen. Type 'root' press ENTER. Type your root's password and press ENTER;
To install the basic system's packages, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude
install locate gpm
unrar-free unace ark
openssh-server xterm
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To install a network (wired and wireless)manager, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
wicd wireless-tools wpasupplicant
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To install a browser, type(it is the Debian's Firefox):
| debianPS3:~# aptitude install iceweasel |
To install media players, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude
install mplayer mplayer-dbg
mplayer-doc smplayer
mozilla-mplayer xine-ui xine-plugin
amarok-engine-xine
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To install a damn good user manager, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install kuser
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To install an internet messenger (msn, jabber, icq, etc) type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude
install pidgin pidgin-data
pidgin-dbg pidgin-plugin-pack pidgin-hotkeys
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To install Office and an image editor, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install openoffice.org gimp gimp-plugin-registry
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To install Torrent/Peer-to-Peer managers, type:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
ktorrent amule amule-utils-gui
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To install the flash / flash player for the Iceweasel, do as follows:
debianPS3:~# aptitude install
gnash mozilla-plugin-gnash
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Type:
debianPS3:~# cd /usr/lib/iceweasel/
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Type:
debianPS3:~# mkdir plugins
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Type, now:
debianPS3:~# cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/
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Finally, type:
debianPS3:~# cp *
/usr/lib/iceweasel/plugins/
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Press "Ctrl Alt F7"
log on with your common user (not the root one)ENTER; type your user's pass ENTER;
Get on the Iceweasel Browser(Menu XFce, Internet, Iceweasel), select 'Tools', 'Add-ons', go to the tab 'Get Add-ons'. Type "Flash" and download the 'Flash Video Resources Downloader'.
Click 'Add to Iceweasel'
'n then, 'Install Now'.
Restart the Iceweasel;
To
download Youtube videos, as an example, open the video's homepage,
click on the bottom right corner of your browser(blue icon). Follow the
instructions that will be shown on a New Tab! Done!
Finally, press "Ctrl
Alt F1";
Log as root / root's pass, if necessary;
Type:
| debianPS3:~# aptitude safe-upgrade |
Type:
| debianPS3:~# aptitude clean |
For thelast time, type:
You just did it!!! Congratulations!
Now you have a kick ass system on your PS3! Be ready to pwn!!!
I hope this guide has helped you to install and configure the Debian GNU/Linux
ppc64 squeeze on your mighty PlayStation3!
Below, some pics of the Debian squeeze running XFce4 and some apps:
My desk, my mess :-)
