Guide to installing Ubuntu 7.10 from Playstation Official Magazine
You will need:
An HDTV
USB pen drive or memory card
External memory (large enough for the back up step)
USB keyboard
USB mouse
Internet access
PC that can burn CDs or DVDs
1) Download files
Download
HERE and burn to disk this is the Ubuntu disc.
Download OtherOS file
HERE and save to a USB device of somekind in the following file structure: DRIVE:\ PS3 -> OTHEROS. This we will call the kboot loader.
Leaving these aside turn to your PS3.
2) Back Up Ps3
This is VERY important. Setting up Linux on PS3 will wipe the HDD so you must make a backup unless you don't mind losing everything. You can use any storage media from USB HDD to memory sticks, provided the capacity is large enough.
Go into Settings in the XMB -> System Settings -> Back Up Utility
Select your storage device and continue.
Some copyrighted files cannot be copied so be aware.
Once you have installed Linux you can Restore everything using the Back Up Utility.
3) Format HDD
You will need to format your PS3s HDD to install another OS, this will erase everything on it!
Go to Settings -> Format Utility and pick Custom now choose which allocation set up you need, most choose "Allot 10GB to the other OS". Finally hit quick format and wait for it to work its magic.
4) Install Linux
Insert the Ubuntu disc and kboot loader into your PS3.
Choose settings -> System Settings -> Default System -> other OS.
Confirm and soon you will see "Welcome to Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)!"
Where it says kboot prompt type "install".
The display will default to 480p resolution.
Choose your desired language, timexone and keyboard layouts.
At the Prepare Disc Space option select 'Guided - use entire disk'.
Enter a user name and password and don't forget it, you will need this to log in once complete.
Follows the prompts until the progress bar. Installation can take upto 40 mins, the machine will then restart. When the kboot prompt appears hit [ENTER] to start Linux.
5) Change the resolution
So you have Linux up and running but who really wants that fat 480p resolution?
To set Linux to HD res. click Applications in the top left of the screen
Select accessories
then Terminal to open a text window.
To set a 720p resolution type "sudo/etc/init.d/gdm stop" the screen will go black.
At the next prompt type ""ps3videomode -v3".
To test the resolution return to the Terminal and type "sudo nano/etc/event.d/ps3videomode" which opens another text screen.
Now type "start on runlevel 2" hit [ENTER] and type "exec/usr/bin/ps3videomode -v3"
Then press [CTRL] + 'o' to save changes.
Press [CTRL] +'x' to close before restarting the PS3 in the new resolution
6) Finished
With everything installed and the resloution set you're ready to go. When you start your PS3 you'll see the kboot prompt.
Hit [ENTER] to start Linux.
There are a basic set of utilities to play with including text editors, email applications and internet browsers, although Flash isn't supported yet, so no online videos yet.
To find out more about open-source applications for Linux go to help.ubuntu.com.
To switch back to the PS3 OS at the kboot prompt type"boot-game-os". To go from the XMB to Linux go to Settings -> System Settings -> Default OS -> and pick the other OS.
Note: The PS3 will default on startup to the last used OS.
Guide to installing Ubuntu 7.10 from Playstation Official Magazine
