135w ago - A few weeks back PlayStation 3 developer Marcan named his PS3 Linux Bootloader on Firmware 3.41 AsbestOS, and today he has shared a video of it in action below along with the following details, to quote:

Download: AsbestOS Source Code / AsbestOS ReadMe / Kernel Patch / Stage 1 Binary / Stage 2 Binary

"As most of you will probably already know, I've been working on a project recently which aims to run Linux on the PS3 using the PSJailbreak exploit, effectively replacing GameOS on the fly.

I think it's gotten to the point where it's useful enough for other people to be interested, so here's something resembling an official announcement.

AsbestOS (a mineral, and meaning "inextinguishable" in Greek) is a bootloader to run PS3 Linux without OtherOS. It runs using the USB GameOS exploit (on PS3...

140w ago - Update: According to TheRegister.co.uk, a federal judge has dismissed all but one of the claims leveled against Sony for dropping Linux support from its PlayStation 3 game console, but gave the plaintiffs permission to refile an amended complaint that fixes the deficiencies.

Previously we reported on a slew of class action lawsuits against Sony due to the PS3 OtherOS removal, and despite a recent Sony victory IGN (linked above) now reports that Sony's attorneys have filed a motion for the court to strike the class allegations and dismiss the case.

To quote: "Sony contends the plaintiffs' claims that the company advertised the Other OS feature the later removed it - depriving PS3 users of software features - is contradicted by the explicit terms stated in SCEA's written express warranty, the System Software License Agreement and the PSN Terms of Service.

"These contracts specifically provide...

140w ago - Update: A video is now available below of a PS JailBreak OtherOS Installer from Sh1m3oN (proof of concept enabling features in the PS3 XMB) with some details on how to do it from Reaver at TeknoGods.

Recently C4PT started a project in attempt to re-enable OtherOS on JailBroken PS3 consoles, as you have the option to run your own selfs on them.

To quote: "C4PT has successfully gotten the OtherOS installer to run due to this fact. He accomplished this by putting the otheros.self into a backup game's USRDIR folder, renamed it to EBOOT.BIN, and running it.

You can also run it via AerialX's payload off a usb stick, however this hasn't been tested yet.

You will need the otheros.bld on a usb stick in the directory PS3/OTHEROS/otheros.bld, as otheros.self will try to load this file. This whole process completes successfully, but unfortunately that's where the good news ends.

This will need a lot more hacking to accomplish re-enabling OtherOS, as the otheros menu is still hidden from view on the XMB. This will require some sort of flash hacking to accomplish. The easy part has been done, now the...

142w ago - While everyone awaits a verdict on the injunction in the recent PS JailBreak lawsuit hearing, another Australian PS3 gamer has lost his OtherOS lawsuit to Sony recently.

According to GamePron.com (linked above) Michael Trebilcock had asked for AU $800 in compensation (the cost to rent a laptop for each day he was unable to use Linux on his PS3, plus fees), with a claim that the updated console could no longer be used as a computer.

To quote: "Unfortunately for Trebilcock, the Magistrates court heard that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission cleared Sony of any wrongdoing regarding the upgrade, and the claim was dismissed.

Mr. Trebilcock was not made to pay Sony's legal costs."

155w ago - Today PS3 Debug Firmware version 3.21 has been added to our PS3 Debug Firmware Archive thanks to an anonymous nice guy, and although it removes OtherOS functionality (like the Retail counterpart did) PlayStation 3 Test unit owners can downgrade to restore OtherOS functionality!

Download: PS3 Debug Firmware v3.21 (USA) Update

For those who are new to PS3 Debug (DECH) machines or haven't been following our Site News as long, PS3 Test Special Downgrade PUPs were leaked from Sony which allow downgrading the PS3 to version 1.00 or 1.50 (depending on which is used) to restore OtherOS, and then the console can be updated to the PS3 Debug Firmware required to play PS3 game backups.

Perhaps if Sony allowed Retail PS3 systems to downgrade like PS3 Debug/Test machines can there would be...