How to install Fedora Core 6 Linux for PS3

[lafa]

Fedora core 6 Linux on PS3
##########################

Get the PS3 Linux Addon CD from here
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/

Get the Fedora Core 6 DVD from offical a mirrors

Follow these instructions but use the FC6 DVD where the intructions reference FC5 DVD.
And use the Addon CD from the site specified above
http://ps3.qj.net/PS3-Linux-The-void-has-been-filled-Full-install-instructions-for-Fedora-Core-5-/pg/49/aid/73144

Notes:
- Install the minimun FC6 (about 5 minutes)
- Leave the FC6 DVD on the drive during all this tutorial

Network and ssh server
######################

mount the /mnt/dcrom with the FC6 DVD in the driver after the installation is finished, and install dhclient
and ssh server. This way you can loggin from another computer and copy paste the rest of the tutorial, on the comand line.

# mount /mnt/cdrom
# cd /mnt/cdrom/Fedora/RPMS
# rpm -Uvh dhclient*
# cd /
# dhclient
# yum install openssh-server

Important
#########

Kernel used is the kernel in the PS3 Linux Addon CD. So be carefull and do not replace the kernel with the FC6 kernel.

Display resolution:
###################

ps3videomode - use this cmd line tool to adjust your video mode.

and then change /etc/kboot.conf with the video mode you want to persist:

edit line:
linux='/boot/vmlinux-2.6.16 initrd=/boot/initrd.img video=ps3fb:mode:3'

Install graphical mode and KDE Desktop enviroment
#################################################

This will take some time but should do it, say yes to all questions:
# yum groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"
# yum install pirut k3b mikmod
# yum groupinstall "Server Configuration Tools"
# yum groupinstall "Sound and Video"
# yum groupinstall "GNOME Desktop Environment"
# yum groupinstall "Legacy Software Support"
# yum groupinstall "Development Libraries"
# yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
# yum groupinstall "Windows File Server"
# yum groupinstall "System Tools"
# yum groupinstall "X Window System"
# yum install switchdesk lslk logwatch dump lftp bind-utils sendmail nss_ldap device-mapper-multipath ypbind yp-tools
# yum install parted.ppc64 rdist.ppc man-pages.noarch talk.ppc pam_ccreds.ppc nc.ppc traceroute.ppc unix2dos.ppc setarch.ppc pam_passwdqc.ppc words.noarch cpuspeed.ppc netdump.ppc crontabs.noarch fbset.ppc acl.ppc dosfstools.ppc usbutils.ppc redhat-lsb.ppc rsync.ppc mgetty.ppc time.ppc man.ppc pam_passwdqc.ppc64 pam_smb.ppc wget.ppc
# yum install diskdumputils.ppc ftp.ppc pinfo.ppc ksh.ppc jwhois.ppc psacct.ppc ipsec-tools.ppc dhcpv6_client.ppc lsof.ppc readahead.ppc pcmciautils.ppc sudo.ppc yum-updatesd.noarch pam_smb.ppc64 cyrus-sasl-plain.ppc sysreport.noarch pam_pkcs11.ppc64 rdate.ppc finger.ppc anacron.ppc nano.ppc pam_ccreds.ppc64 parted.ppc attr.ppc tcsh.ppc specspo.noarch stunnel.ppc mlocate.ppc tcpdump.ppc dos2unix.ppc rsh.ppc irda-utils.ppc numactl.ppc tree.ppc
# yum install pam_pkcs11.ppc tmpwatch.ppc gnupg.ppc vconfig.ppc iptstate.ppc pax.ppc mtr.ppc nss_db.ppc rp-pppoe.ppc krb5-workstation.ppc pam_krb5.ppc64 mdadm.ppc quota.ppc pam_krb5.ppc symlinks.ppc smartmontools.ppc tcp_wrappers.ppc64 mtools.ppc setuptool.ppc telnet.ppc rng-utils.ppc irqbalance.ppc
# yum groupinstall "Office/Productivity"

Add your user to the system
###########################

replace loginname with your username

# adduser loginname -g users
# echo 'loginname ALL=(ALL) ALL' >> /etc/sudoers
# passwd loginname


Graphical Mode on startup:
##########################
change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

change /etc/inittab file to mode 5

edit line:
id:5:initdefault:

Testing Graphic Mode
####################

Reboot the PS3 and validate that you can login with your user ID.

Persist Network settings
########################

Login as a normal user. Goto System->Administration->Network
Add a new device and setup the network to dhcp.
Select activate. (this will persist your network settings)

Languages
#########
Goto the Add/Remove Software to add support for more languages

Getting all the extras missing in FC base
#########################################

as root on the command line type
# rpm --import /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/*
# rpm -ivh http://rpm.livna.org/livna-release-6.rpm
# rpm --import http://rpm.livna.org/RPM-LIVNA-GPG-KEY


Final Notes
###########

There is probably some stuff missing. Send me comments on gtalk or PS3.
I have the PS3 running fine with FC6 no issues for now.
I use KDE but GNOME should also be working fine.

Contact Info
########################
Luis Alves

ps3: boi
gtalk: lafaspot

Add me to your PS3 friends list.
I have RESISTANCE/RR7/ULTIMATE ALLIANCE

Version
#######

v1.0 - 05 Jan 2007 - Initial Document

[tonyfl]

WOW NICE, this surely was needed. Now they need to sticky this, i sure will try this now, since right now my ****ed up install of fc6 has been sitting unused on my ps3 for about a month now unused. I will try re-formatting and using your directions. But i got one question before i do so. I got the full install you know its all gravy, but when i startx, the GUI is ****ed up, i do the ps3videomode command, and no luck. Have u experienced this, and know the fix. Noone is yet to mention a fix on this here on the qj forums.... So just wondering if u experienced this problem and know da fix

Thanks a bunch

-tony

[cyanide]

Stickied until further notice. Thanks for the guide! :)

[lafa]

But i got one question before i do so. I got the full install you know its all gravy, but when i startx, the GUI is ****ed up, i do the ps3videomode command, and no luck. Have u experienced this, and know the fix. Noone is yet to mention a fix on this here on the qj forums.... So just wondering if u experienced this problem and know da fix
-tony

I had the same problem with the X. You need the edit the xorg.conf as described in my first post. If you do not perform this change the graphical mode starts corrupted and you cannot see the screen, but you can kill X with ctrl+alt+backspace, to get back to text mode. :)

Graphical Mode on startup:
##########################
change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

[tonyfl]

ok how do i edit the file again lol... im new at all this, in in the X11 dir right now, trying to figure out how to edit the dam file in text mode :-/


Edit

ok i figured it out, i used nano from the text window

then i added the lines of code... lets see if it works now im rebooting the ps3 :)

[lafa]

you can use vi:
vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf

use the cursor keys to go to the place on the file you wanna edit.
press i to go to edit mode
press ESC to exit edit mode
after you are done ESC to exit edit mode, type "wq" follow by ENTER
this will write the file and quit vi,

basic vi commands:
i - edit mode
d - delete a line
x - delete a character
w - write the file
q - quit
ESC - back command mode
q! - exit without saving

[tonyfl]

woo hoo im up and running, and im so happy, thansk alot man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ikarius]

Great guide, thank you. I'll make sure to follow this and test it tonight !

[OngL]

Thanks, I was about to do FC5 but it's seems FC6 is the latest.

Do you how to release linux partition for PS3 again? also any possibility to install more than 1 linux in PS3?

[cyanide]

Only 1 linux distro can be installed at a time.

[dungmymieu]

Can I make a Fedora 6 DVD iso from 6CD ???

[cyanide]

No.....

[mgoodson45]

I'm ready to install my PS3 with a linux. I used to be a hardcore linuxer a couple years ago when linux was at kernel 1.6-2.4.x.

Can you advise me on the following:

1) My 60GB PS3, out of the box, showing free space of 47 GB from 55 GB available. do you know what was the 8GB used?

2) What is recommended space for linux partition and how much default/full install of FC6 / YDL will take before any other 3rd party software?

3) Will backup utility works in backuping my game saves, video trailers and game demos downloaded from PS store?

4) Any comparison or drawback of using FC6 compared to YDL? If this is a normal PC, I would go ahead with FC6. Since this is a propetiary hardware, please advise.

Thanks in advance.

[lafa]

1) My 60GB PS3, out of the box, showing free space of 47 GB from 55 GB available. do you know what was the 8GB used?

PS3 OS saves stuff on the HD, no idea what is is but they need some HD space.

2) What is recommended space for linux partition and how much default/full install of FC6 / YDL will take before any other 3rd party software?

I have a 10Gb partition, for FC6 on a 20GB disk.

3) Will backup utility works in backuping my game saves, video trailers and game demos downloaded from PS store?

Yes, if you have space to backup to a external device.

4) Any comparison or drawback of using FC6 compared to YDL? If this is a normal PC, I would go ahead with FC6. Since this is a propetiary hardware, please advise.

FC6 is gnome, YDL is E17 based both work the same way from a linux advanced user prespective.

[desilv01]

I know this thread is getting a bit out dated, but I have a question, when doing this, are you using 32bit or 64bit fedora distros, or is there a seperate one for PPC that I keep missing?
-= Double Post =-
nvm, sorry, I found it lol

[dungmymieu]

hi
when I try to install FC6 it say kboot not found
Can u help me ??

[konabaka]

After I enter "reboot", the screen goes complete dark. My Ps3 is connected to my TV with HDMI. What should I do?
-= Double Post =-
After I enter reboot, the screen goes complete dark and stays dark. The ps3 is connected to tv using HDMI. Can anyone help?

[dungmymieu]

anyone help me ??:(

[rpriyadarshi]

This was on wonderful post to do an "almost" minimal install of fc6 on ps3. My objective was also to get CellSDK2.0 running. Here is what you need to add to the installation to make it work:

yum install netpbm netpbm-devel tk-8.4.*
yum install --enablerepo=extras freeglut freeglut-devel mesa-libGLU-devel mesa-libGL-devel libX11-devel libXmu-devel libXext-devel

Running ./cellsdk install may have a lot of issues. Copy the /mnt/cellsdk/software to another location and edit cellsdk script to disable kernel install on line 147 as follows:
KERNEL_INSTALLED=1

This prevents the script from bailing out while trying to install the cell kernel.
Now you can use:
./cellsdk install --nosim --nokernel
./cellsdk build

Have fun!

[god0fgod]

How come installing fedora core 5 looks much easier to install than this.

[Maxul]

which fc6 mirror am i supposed to download the ppc one? b/c thats the only thing i see that will work on the ps3 b/c i know its based on the ppc archeticture

[FranzH]

Got it working :D

but all i have is a clock and the commands window O_O

[moneyman1978]

nice guide.

[bigjimmi]

Hi Lafa

Ive been trying to follow your guide for the last 4 days and have hit rock bottom. Ive followed your install guide 4 times word for word along with 3 full installs. All have been unsuccessfull.

With your guide - ive only managed to get to the the open where you tell us to install the mount the cdrom. I can do that fine but none of the other commands work - ie when i try and cd /mnt/cdrom/Fedora/RPMS the file cant be found. I've tried to skip onto the graphic mode bit but it wont find /etc/kboot.conf.......

When i tried following the full install guide i found at eurogamer the gui is constantly corrupt - I tried what you suggested with the

change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

once i tried to load the gui at anything about 480I the screen was corrupted.

Please help if you can - thinking about giving up and just not bothering!

many thanks in advance.

[megaglow_z]

Hi Lafa

Ive been trying to follow your guide for the last 4 days and have hit rock bottom. Ive followed your install guide 4 times word for word along with 3 full installs. All have been unsuccessfull.

With your guide - ive only managed to get to the the open where you tell us to install the mount the cdrom. I can do that fine but none of the other commands work - ie when i try and cd /mnt/cdrom/Fedora/RPMS the file cant be found. I've tried to skip onto the graphic mode bit but it wont find /etc/kboot.conf.......

When i tried following the full install guide i found at eurogamer the gui is constantly corrupt - I tried what you suggested with the

change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

once i tried to load the gui at anything about 480I the screen was corrupted.

Please help if you can - thinking about giving up and just not bothering!

many thanks in advance.
Did you check that your cd burns are good?

[Raidenthashocka]

I have been toiling for sometime just trying to get mplayer working. I got it installed (no gui but whatever), but now I can't get it to run on in 1080p mode. Bah it's just goes into a scrunched up mess at the top of the tv... I have tried to edit the xorg.conf file a little but it's not really doing anything. It's wierd because I was cool as a cucumber with FC5 in 1080p. This is half the fun tho, trying to drive yourself nuts doing the impossible.
BTW anyone else having this problem (not going nuts, but with the half screen at the top of the tv)?

[jdog]

And use the Addon CD from the site specified above
http://ps3.qj.net/PS3-Linux-The-void-has-been-filled-Full-install-instructions-for-Fedora-Core-5-/pg/49/aid/73144


I didn't see anywhere where you made use of the add-on CD. But I did see a warning not to replace the Kernel with that of FC6. Please explain.

Thank you,

Justin

[randomx999]

the resolution for my screen is all messed up and unreadable because I didn't set the thing to ps3 mode. I set the inittab to id:5:initdefault and now everytime I do ctrl+alt+backspace, it automatically boots the graphic login screen (still messed up looking). I want to edit the thing back to id:3:initdefault, but I don't know how since it keeps booting up the login screen. Anyone know a way around this?

[trj_3]

I wonder if RandonXXX's problem has been solved since I have the same problem. I did FC6 full installation.
My screen is not readable and I can not get into text mode . I set the inittab to id:5:initdefault
When I do ctrl+alt+backspace, after a second it goes back to GUI.
I tried many resolutions but no success .
I also changed change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

AND

kboot.conf
linux='/boot/vmlinux-2.6.16 initrd=/boot/initrd.img video=ps3fb:mode:11'

But now I cannot go back to text mode and change kboot.conf

I tried to reach /etc/X11/xorg.conf from kboot but there is no visible X11 directory.

Please help!!!

[fer]

trj_3:

Can't help you regarding your probs (I installed FC6 back in December without using a FAQ), but for you to be able to troubleshoot:
1) always have SSH available to get a terminal window when things go bad like you describe. This was mentioned in lafa's original post.
2) Instead of running at init level 5, try 3 until you are stable (just use "startx" to start an X session so that ctrl-alt-backspace will truly kill it and get back to console)
3) as with 2), consider running in a lower resolution mode at boot, and manually switch modes with ps3videomode before running X

Hope this helps, wish I could help more but I'm only running at 1080i on a 1st-gen HDTV.

[bullit6a]

hey all i've read your post about the linux install on the ps3 but i'm having problems getting the # yum install openssh-server to work i keep on getting errors why is this does anyone know?

[El Diablo]

im extremly confused...on that site...i click for the pse addon cd or w/e and it gives you text? how is that a cd? and from what it seems...you pretty much just put in the linux cd, install it, and then you have to do these other commands and set it up on another computer? ****ing mad confused

[zerokill]

save the ISO file to your HDD and burn on a CD. If you perform the installation correctly you will get into the shell were you can install all the programs.

I installed FC6 last night but I discovered an error on the CD. In the dir /target/ there is a file called "initrd.img-2.6.16" but FC6 is looking for a file named "initrd.img" so it returns an error.

I used magiciso to rename the file "initrd.img-2.6.16" to "initrd.img" before I burned the CD. This solves the issue. Right now I got FC6 running with the new kernal. snes9x with sound :D

[El Diablo]

does the ps3 wifi work?

[Sinfulfate]

does the ps3 wifi work?
No and you already asked that question. ONLY ON YDL WILL WIFI WORK for now.

[El Diablo]

i know i asked it here too cause no one said anythign in the others but owell...gues i'll have to stop DLing FC and get ydl

[thriftyrocker]

Nice guide. If you follow this, do you still get a 2.6.16 kernel (same as FC5)? Is there any way to install a 2.6.20 kernel? I want 2.6.20 in order to use the new 2.1 version of the Cell SDK.

[El Diablo]

this kinda sucks...i installed it but when i login its only that root command promp thing and i have no idea how to use the ssh server thing or w/e and get all the other installation things to work right and start up acual linux -.- owell

[fer]

No and you already asked that question. ONLY ON YDL WILL WIFI WORK for now.
Sorry, but it's the kernel that supports wifi. I'm running FC6 on a 2.6.22-rc2 kernel and my wifi is running fine. Right now, YDL is just the only distro shipping with a kernel that supports WIFI, but you can build your own kernel in whatever distro you have.

[zerokill]

I am trying to install Fedora 7 but there isn't a otheros for fedora 7. When I type install-fc sda it says that I should insert the correct dvd.

I was wondering if there was a "manual" way to boot fedora 7 install so I can install it?

[AznGouki]

Hey there. I'm really new linux and am having quite a bit of problems with the install of Fedora 6.
Just to get things straight
Graphical Mode on startup:
######################### #
change the device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fbdev"

Option "ShadowFB" "false"
# Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

change /etc/inittab file to mode 5

edit line:
id:5:initdefault:

For the above portion I am suposed to change
Option "ShadowFB" "false"
to
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
and
id:5:initdefault:
from
id:3:initdefault: which it was originally correct?
I also did all this with vi
Everything seems straight forward enough but when I restart i still get the
login as:
I know for fedora 5 I was supposed to type startx after logging in. Is there something different for fedora 6 that I am over looking?

Thanks in advance
-= Double Post =-
I think the problem maybe that the startx is just simply missing.
If somebody could help me it would be great
The addon cd I used is
CELL-Linux-CL_20070425-ADDON.iso
The Fedora Core 6 Image I used is
FC-6-ppc-DVD.iso (ZOD)