113w ago - Following up on his previous releases, today PlayStation 3 hacker Graf Chokolo has released a PS3DM utils update to enable Service Mode from PS3 Linux.

Download: PS3DM Utils to Enable Service Mode in PS3 Linux

To quote: Guys, take a look at my ps3dm-utils. Now you can enable service mode from Linux. Look at ps3dm_usb_dongle_auth.

What service mode can do for us? Well, there's many but i think the most useful one is the downgrading function where you can downgrade the PS3 firmware to the older versions. From the look of it though, it still requires USB dongle to get the job done, correct me if I'm wrong since i didn't look further enough to verify this. Anyhow, can't wait for the release of the noob proof PS3 Linux, OtherOS++.

Update: Jess has confirmed that USB dongle is not necessary to get into the service mode. No you donÂ't need a dongle! You can invoke it from linux. All the modules comunicate throught dm proxy.

Now you can simulate a dongle through software and authenticate through linux. You can generate the challange and create the adequate response.

From graf_chokolo...

114w ago - Despite Sony's legal action, PS3 hacker Graf Chokolo has released some PS3 Linux Tools including PS3 Linux Hypervisor Scripts and Dispatcher Manager Utilities alongside a PlayStation 3 Debug Console Dumper.

Downloads: PS3 Linux Hypervisor Scripts / Dispatcher Manager Utilities for PS3 Linux / PS3 Debug Console Dumper / Graf Chokolo GIT

To quote: For today’s update on graf_chokolo, we’ll get to see some new cool releases from the respected PS3 scene hacker to our very own git. You guys with the developing sense, should seriously check them out and report back to graf if you want to help improve it.

• Debug console dumper for PS3 hypervisor
  
• Different Linux scripts that enable cool features by patching PS3 hypervisor and its processes
  

Also, some new updates on Dispatcher Manager utilities for PS3 Linux repository.

116w ago - Shortly following Sony's raid on his house, Dukio have now confirmed while posting a legal notice that Sony is suing Alexander Egorenkov known in the PS3 scene as Graf Chokolo for 1 million Euros and he states that he still wants to continue hacking the PlayStation 3 console with VGHQ.net reporting he has received over $28k in donations already!

To quote: I received a legal notice from SCEE lawyers requesting me to remove the coolstuff links that graf_chokolo has distributed on grafchokolo.com as well as the links at this blog. What i found interesting in the legal notice is that the lawyers are suing graf_chokolo for 1 million euros. That is quite a number, but graf_chokolo doesn't seem to care.

He still want to hack the PS3, where he said he cannot sleep knowing that he cannot touch the hypervisor of the PS3. Man, i never see someone like graf, he is an extraordinary genius hacker that Sony wasting it by making a...

118w ago - Following up on his previous update, over the weekend PlayStation 3 hacker Graf Chokolo has released his PS3 Linux 2.6 Kernel and began documenting his PS3 CFW Custom Firmware with OtherOS++ Project.

His new PlayStation 3 Linux Kernel includes a new HDD, FLASH, VFLASH and RAM drivers for PS3 and AsbestOS users can use the drivers as well.

Download: Graf Chokolo PS3 Linux 2.6 Repo

To quote: The repository which is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, has several wicked stuff in it especially graf_chokolo’s ram block device. As kmeaw said; “It can read/write anything in PS3 RAM, and very useful for HV hacking”

You can read below the commits done to his version of Linux kernel.

• Added support of several storage regions to PS3 storage library
  
• Improved PS3 disk block device driver
  
• New drivers for PS3 NOR and 3 RAM misc driver for full access to HV memory
  
• Added new HV calls
  
• Added extra debug messages...

119w ago - As a follow-up to Kmeaw's PS3 Linux update and his previous work, PlayStation 3 hacker Graf Chokolo has now brought PS3 Linux back to Firmware 3.41.

To quote from xorloser's blog: And here we go Linux is officially back on PS3 3.41. It’s even better now

It has all GameOS features, it has access to all HDD, VFLASH and FLASH regions. It can communicate with Dispatcher Manager, Update Manager, SYSCON Manager, it can run isolated SPUs, and of course RSX

I uploaded some screenshots of the Debian distribution i installed on my PS3 HDD. The Debian distribution is a just normal PPC64 Linux without any modification, all i changed was my dutifully and beloved Hypervisor

I modified the Hypervisor so far that it boots the Linux bootloader petitiboot from VFLASH and petitboot loads the Linux distribution installed on a HDD region.

And what is better than Linux to boot Linux ?

I practically implemented Dual Boot feature GameOS+OtherOS in the Hypervisor Linux is not the only OS which can be booted like...