HOWTO: Install Kubuntu 7.10 (Gusty) on PS3

I recently installed Ubuntu (KDE version, or Kubuntu) on my Playstation 3, with WIFI recognition, and internet up and running. I'll now provide a run-through and hopefully get you to the same point.

NOTE: I cannot be held responsible for any problems this installation may cause your Playstation 3. By continuing through this page and following my instructions, you are agreeing to these terms. If you have any questions, reply to this thread.

The CD image you want is provided here:
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/ports/releases/gutsy/release/kubuntu-7.10-alternate-powerpc+ps3.iso

Burn it in your favorite program (I use Nero for burning CD images). Google it if you don't already have a program, or search for freeware, like Burnatonce. I'll assume that you know enough to burn a CD image on your own.

Beginning the Installation:

Now that you have your CD, put it in your PS3. Go to [Settings] > [System Settings] > [Install Other OS].

Your screen should say the following:

Title	/PS3/otheros/otheros.bld
Location	Disc

Press [Start] to install kboot so you can run the Kubuntu installation and follow the instructions on the screen to reboot into the installation CD.


Installation:

You should now find yourself at the following screen.

Welcome to Kubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)!

This is an Kubuntu installation CDROM,
built on 20071017.

The default option is 'install'. For maximum
control, you can use the 'expert' option.

If in doubt, just press Enter.

kboot: _


Note: Installing Linux requires a keyboard and mouse. I suggest the Logitech Cordless Desktop keyboard and mouse. It's an inexpense solution for just about any computer system. You'll need these before you can go any further.

Press Enter on your keyboard to continue. The kernel should load and the system will start. The screen may go blank for a moment. Don't worry about this. If it moves on, skip the rest of this paragraph. If the screen is blank for more than a minute, you should shutdown the PS3 by holding down the I/O sensor on the front (not the switch in the back). Start back into the normal PS3 system by holding down the I/O sensor until it beeps twice, and you should start back into default settings for the PS3. If you're stuck, get help somewhere else. This is the last I'll talk in detail about restarting a PS3. Moving on...

You'll should be asked to choose your language. I simply went with English, and pressed Enter.

Country, territory or area: United States (use what is applicable in your case)

When asked to detect keyboard, I said, , and selected [U.S. English] on both of the following screens. If you are using a different keyboard, select whichever one applies to you.

I partitioned my system by selecting Guided - use entire disk. I won't go through resizing or setting up LVM in this HOWTO. You should select /dev/ps3da - 10.7 GB Unknown for the disk to partition. Select when asked to format #1 as ext3 and #5 as swap. The base system will begin installing itself, so get a drink or use the restroom. Maybe even make a small snack. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

You will probably get an error when it tries to install the Kernel package 'linux-cell'. Just continue and select [Install the base system]

When it asks about an unclean target, just select because it will write over the files anyway. I know it's a waste of time, but it's the only way I found to get to the right kernel installation. If you find a better way, let me know. Meanwhile, go for another break. Maybe take a short run around the block to work off the calories from that snack you just ate. That's right. Put down the box of Twinkies. Meanwhile, I'm downloading Xubuntu to try out a slightly different version to see if I can work out the few issues I've had.

When asked which Kernel to install, you'll probably need to select linux-image-2.6.22-14-cell. It was the only one that worked for me.

My wireless network is terrible, so I just left everything blank when configuring. We'll work through network configuration later. Just continue until is asks for Network Configuration Method and select [Do not configure the network at this time].

Hostname: ubuntu (You can set whatever you want)

Select your time zone (I'm Mountain)

I set my system to UTC

Set up your username and password however you like. From here on, I'll just use standard username and password, but you ought to select your own in place of those.

If you need a proxy, fill it in. I left it blank. If you don't know, I suggest you leave it blank.

When it comes to setting video modes, I left everything blank. I have a screen that works at 1024p, so I'll be going through how to set that up later.

While you're letting the system install, you might think of getting some movies on blu-ray for your PS3. I haven't been able to get blu-ray up and running on Linux yet, but the normal PS3 system will work far better for that anyhow, I'm sure. If you had to money to get a PS3, and you havent tried blu-ray yes, you don't even have a clue what you're missing out on. I'm hoping to get an hd-dvd setup working on my PS3 sometime, but right now I need to get back to showing you how to get the basics set up.

When the installation is complete, it's time to boot up your system!


Booting up:

Make sure the CD or DVD is ejected so you won't be restarting the installation. We really don't need to go through all that again. You may need to restart your system manually. Hold down the I/O sensor until the system shuts down. Then hold the I/O sensor down again until it beeps once. Don't restart all the way into the PS3 system though, or you'll have to go all the way back around and get into the linux installation (if you did, just go to [Settings] > [System Settings] > [Default System], and set it to Other OS).

You should now find yourself at the Ubuntu PS3 KBoot Loader. Just press Enter and you should boot up (it will take a moment, and if you don't have a clue what all that scrolling text means, don't worry until it stops).

You'll most likely come to a text login screen.

Sign in with your username and password.

Type the following code in the input box:

startx

You should soon find yourself running KDE at a resolution of 480p. If you don't know what that means, don't worry about it. I find my Polaroid HDTV comes in handy with the info button on the remote to tell me what resolution I'm set at. You probably either don't know much about that or simply don't care though, so well move right along.


Setting resolution:

We probably want to get to a higher resolution to make our work easier. If you're half-blind though, this is probably the best setting for you, so I'd just leave it and skip to the next section.

Start by clicking the K menu on the bottom left corner of the taskbar. Go to [System] > [Konsole - Terminal Program] to start up a terminal.

Type the code, as follows, filling in your password where necessary:

sudo -i # (Fill in your password when it asks)
kate

The program should start up in a few seconds. Go to [File] > [Open] and for the Location, type /etc/kboot.conf

Find the line that is similar to the following (the alphanumerical sequence after root may not be exactly the same):

linux=/boot/vmlinux initrd=/boot/initrd.img root=UUID=9355625d-cef6-4321-8038-el6cd49925d quiet splash'

Triple-click the line and hit Ctrl-C. Go to the end of the document and paste the line (Ctrl-V). Edit this new line as follows (changing only the beginning and ending italicized sections):

ubuntu=/boot/vmlinux initrd=/boot/initrd.img root=UUID=9355625d-cef6-4321-8038-el6cd49925d quiet splash video=ps3fb:mode:5'

For the video mode line at the end, you may want a different mode than I have set. Make sure you chose one compatible with your monitor. Here is the list of modes possible with the PS3:

Video mode ID:
0:automode
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:

Then edit the default line (default=linux) by replacing linux with ubuntu.

Save kboot.conf


Network settings:

Still in Kate go to [File] > [Open] and fill Location with /etc/network/interfaces to set up your network. Make the file look as follows:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

Keep Kate open, but go back to Konsole and go to [Session] > [New Shell]. Type the following:

sudo -i # (insert your password)
echo playstation > /etc/hostname
nano /etc/resolv.conf

In the shell, you'll edit /etc/resolv.conf to look as follows:

search name.site.net.
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 192.168.1.2
domain workgroup

Press F2. Type Y to automatically say yes. Press Enter to save /etc/resolv.conf

Go back to Kate and open /etc/hosts and make it look as follows:

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.1.1 YOUR_HOSTNAME.YOUR_WORKGROUP

Close Kate. Close the shell. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and press [Log Out]. You'll be back to the text console. Type sudo reboot to restart the computer in your new setup. You may need to manually shut down and start up again. Press enter when you get to Kboot, and you should be up and running!