[Tutorial] Installing Yellow Dog Linux on PS3

[IniX]

Note: You need a 60GB PS3 for this!


Step 1 – The preparation
Download Yellow Dog Linux
Download Otheros
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Use a memory stick (PSP, MP3 player or SD card)
Make sure you got a USB keyboard and USB mouse.

Step 2 – Burning and preparing PS3
1. Burn the downloaded ISO on a DVD with speed 4 to 8x. Do this by using a program such as Nero and double click the ISO.
2. Now you have to partition your PS3 harddisk, this means it'll be formatted and split into 2 'virtual' harddisks.
-Do this by going to 'Properties' and then to 'System Properties'. Then select 'Formatting Wizard.
-Now you get a list of options to see for formatting. Click on 'Format Hard Disk' and press YES. Now you can select if you want to use all space for PS3 or something else. Press something else (Not sure what that button is, don't have my PS3 yet, I'm only translating this =P). Now make your choice of splitting the hd. Use at least 20gb for Linux.
-When the process has completed, reboot your PS3.

Step 3 – Installing the Bootloader
1. Insert your USB memory stick into your PC for the bootloader. Create a new map called PS3. Inside your new map, create another map called otheros.
You should now have: X:\PS3\otheros.
2. Copy the bootloader and Otheros in your PS3/otheros map.
If everything worked, you should now have otheros.self and otheros.bld in the map PS3/otheros.
3. Now insert your memory stick into your PS3 and go to System Properties. Choose the option 'install other OS'. Your PS3 will now look for the stick where the bootloader is copied to. When it found the bootloader you can press Start to install it. Follow the steps on the screen untill the PS3 reboots and continue with the next step from this tutorial.


Step 4 – Installing Yellow Dog Linux
When your PS3 has rebooted, choose System Properties. At properties icon choose the option "System default settings PS3", now choose Other OS.
Your PS3 will now reboot and load the Bootloader. Now insert your Yellow Dog Linux DVD into your PS3 and wait till the bootloader has completely started (you can see this when you see Kboot: ). When you see Kboot: type 'install in' (without the quotes) if you got a LCD/HD TV. If you got a normal TV type installtext. Press Enter.
- If you got a LCD/HD TV you'll see a nice smooth text that'll lead you trough the tutorial.
- If you have a normal TV you'll see some dos-like text.

Note: You'll need to type in a password for the root at a certain time. Write it down just in case.

Step 5 – The final touch

When the installation has finished, remove the DVD out of the PS3 and reboot the PS3 (if it does not do it automatically).
Now you'll see the line Kboot: again. Now type 'YDL' (without the quotes).
You'll now see a black screen. Reboot the PS3.
Now you'll se Kboot: again. Type 'ydl1080i' (without the quotes, this is the last time I'm telling ya!) if you got a HD(ready)TV. Type 'ydl480i' if you got a normal TV.
Now you'll see a screen where you have to fill in your username which will be root, and password. After filled in, Yellow Dog Linux will start. (If that doesn't work type startx)


CONGRATULAFUKKINLATIONS!
You did it!



(Step 7 – Getting back to PS3 OS)

Hold the power button for 5 seconds or type 'linux boot-game-os' (Ok, *sigh* one more time. Remove the quotes!) in your terminal in YDL.

[IniX]

Any comment or 'thank you' is welcome...

[Darkatomz]

this is good stuff dude. just that I dont want linux on my ps3 lol.

[Master Victor]

thanks for the tutorial its a good one .this should be sticky soon

[Life Stream]

Thanks alot
it really deserves a sticky!

[3yl]

thanx about this

[yanko693]

i vote sticky because this is exactly what i have been looking for before i get my ps3

[phenomenon9999]

i wish you did major screenshots doing this. i downloaded the YDL ISO and I think that bootloaders is in the ISO already or something.

Also, which version did you install and stuff?
Can you explain in detail the differences that occur when using a non-HD tv and AV cables?
How long was installation?
I already bought Mortal Kombat 2 and a buttload of demos. Do I have to pay to get MK2 again because of the format?


I got the ISO & disc ready but I am unsure of going through with it now because I started using the PS3 with games. I don't want to waste all that bandwidth again just to redownload the games and ****en updates for Resistance and Motorstorm again. They are big!

[RigaMortus]

can we burn the iso to cds instead of a dvd?
i dont have a dvd burner

[phenomenon9999]

Originally Posted by RigaMortus

can we burn the iso to cds instead of a dvd?
i dont have a dvd burner

You cant burn the ISO to a CD because the ISO is 3.3GB. I don't think they do CD based ones anymore.