Can I Turn My PS3 Into a PC Legally?

By Sandra Maria Stammberger

In answer to the above question can I turn my PS3 into a PC legally? It is a simple yes!

What is great about this is the fact that Sony, the makers of the PlayStation 3 say that not only is it legal, but if you are careful the modification will not affect any warranty that is still valid on your machine.

The big problem for you, the person wanting to make the conversion is how to do it. Sony are not exactly forthcoming with advice on how to make the conversion process simple or give you the answers on how to make the step up from console to dual console and PC.

The process is probably for the more technology savvy, but in relative terms it is a pretty simple conversion with the right hardware and tools.

How is it done?

You are going to have to get Linux savvy, as you will not be able to apply any other operating system (OS) other than Linux on PS3.

So here is how we can complete the procedure with as little fuss as possible, if you are not very tech knowledgeable and successfully introduce Linux on PS3 without any hindrance, then kudos to you!

• First of get yourself backed up – all that data, files, photos, films and game saves will need to be housed in a safe place. You are probably going to want to replace the hard drive to a higher spec to get maximum benefits, although the 60 – 80 GB storage of the PS3 should be good enough for a standard mod. Don’t worry too much about the PS OS as this is housed on a separate flash drive, but all other game data etc will be wiped which is why backups are important. To do this locate the ‘System Settings’ on your PS3 and backup your game data to a compatible external USB hard drive. Don’t forget any other data such as films and photos etc will need to be manually backed up.

• If you are going to upgrade to a bigger hard drive (which is advisable but not necessary) then a 2.5 inch laptop drive with 150 – 250 GB space will be great. Then locate the PS drive on the side of the console behind a removable panel. The PS3 drive is secured in place with one screw inside a cage, the drive simply pops out and you replace the old drive with the new one. Just switch you PS3 on and the drive will begin to format.

• Installing Linux on PS3 – This is where you will need your wits about you. Remember Mac and Window OS will not work, so probably the best Linux based operating system to use would be the open source ‘Ubuntu’ which also has a PS3 program mod called ‘kboot’. Download an installation kit of both Ubuntu and kboot which are ISO so can be burned to a separate disk (either CD or DVD) which will be your bootable disk.

• You will now need to create a separate partition on your PS3, go to system settings and ‘Format Utility’ then select ‘Custom’ and give 10 GB of space to the ‘Other Operating System’. You next selection should be ‘Quick Format’ then perform a restart of the PS3.

• Now that you have made the new partition you can install the Linux OS, just select ‘Install Other OS’ from ‘Settings’ on the PS3. Firstly kboot will install, which then allows the Ubuntu OS to install on to your PS3.

• This is where it may get slightly trickier – to dual boot firstly you will need to go back to your PS3 menu, under ‘Default System’ you will need to locate/designate the ‘Other OS’ so that the PS3 can install the Ubuntu OS fully. Plug a USB Mouse into the USB port so you can use the OS. Your PS3 should restart or be restarted in order for the Linux OS to be booted fully.

• To bring your PS3 back into ‘Game Mode’ simply restart the PS3 and at the prompt on boot simply type ‘boot-os-game’ and press enter.

You can obviously use any Linux system you are comfortable with, although the process may be slightly different. Ubuntu has been selected because of its simplicity and ease of installation along with the kboot program mod – enjoy!

Want to know how to install Linux on your PS3 system safely and easily without voiding your warranty? Go to Linux PS3

Tips on Installing Linux on PS3

By Scott Ace

Did you know that underneath the hood of your PS3 are 8 (Yes eight) CPU cores powering your console? While home computers are still languishing in the realm of double cores, Sony has taken a huge step forward in the technology stakes. So why not take advantage of all this processing power and turn our humble PS3 into a “Super Computer.” Previously this was impossible and we had to be contempt with leaving our console playing First Person Shooters all day. Nowadays however, Sony has allowed Linux platforms to be installed onto the PS3, turning your once gaming console into a fully functional home computer.

However before you go in a mad dash to install Linux on your PS3, there is a few things to note. Much like the infamous PSP or iPhone, you can “brick” your PS3 if you are not careful. Here are some tips when going about installing Linux on a PS3.

1: One of the most crucial points missed when installing, is that your game controllers will not function throughout the Linux installation procedure. It really sucks to be half way through the install, but have no way of completing it. Make sure you have a regular USB keyboard and mouse plugged into your PS3 while installing. After the install, you still won’t be able to use your PS3 controller on the Linux platform, but you will be able to use it just like normal in the PlayStation OS.

2: Make sure that if there is anything on your PlayStation harddrive that you want to keep, that you have it fully backed up. When you install Linux you will be forced to create a new harddrive partition. To do this you will need to wipe all existing data to essentially start from scratch. Any data that is on the harddisk at the time of install will be lost forever. I cannot stress this enough! Backup all your data!

3: Closely related to the above. When you take a backup, make sure it’s on something like a large pen drive or even an iPod. (I have heard of people using their 40 GB iPod’s purely for backup drives). Not only will your data be lost when you try to install Linux. If Linux completely stuffs up and you can’t install it, you will want to get all your old data back as easy as possible.

4: Make sure you choose the right version of Linux for you and your PS3. Not all distributions of Linux can be run on the PS3, and all need to be ported to take full advantage of the 8 CPU cores. At the time of writing, only Ubuntu and Yellow Dog are full available to be installed on the console. You can use distro’s like Fedora, but they aren’t fully compatible with the PS3’s hardware and only cause headaches.

If you follow the above tips you should be in for an easy install. It may sound daunting at first but once you have all the preparation ready, its just matter of inserting the disk and following the wizard. Good Luck!

Want to learn more about installing Linux on your PS3?
Visit us at Linux 4 PS3

Which Console For Online Gaming?
By David Charles Baxter

There are three main contenders you should be looking at: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 offers wireless as an option out of the box, if you want to make the Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless you have to buy an extra component. If you don’t want to use wireless or don’t have wireless at home then Ethernet is the way to go. You set the console up pretty much like any network device, you can use DHCP or manually enter IP, DNS etc…

The Sony PlayStation 3 all has the ability to act as a media server, if you not going to use this facility remember to switch it off as it will hog your network bandwidth at home. I didn’t realise this and had my Sony PlayStation 3 connected wirelessly and couldn’t understand why no one else in the household could use wireless while my Sony PlayStation 3 was switched on. After switching off the Network Media Server all was fine.

Broadband is a must for online gaming but it doesn’t have to be the fastest broadband, a basic package is fine. Online gaming is all about the upload speed not really the download. Most UK broadband supplies only offer a 256k upload speed, so if you can find one that beats that it will be better for online gaming.

Nearly all new games offer some kind of online play, some games are purchased just to be played online. Checking the back of the game box should tell you what that game offers. If a game comes out on all 3 systems then it’s nearly identical and sometimes is 100% identical. Each system will have exclusive titles, this means that game will only be on that system.

The most played game online (to date) is Halo 3 on the Microsoft Xbox 360, although it’s a good few years old it is still played a lot. Most games offer ad-dons via downloadable content, this gives the game a whole new lease of life. Things to download could be new levels or new characters. These add-ons are usually charged for.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 has what it called GamerScore, this is your overall score for playing games in the system. You get different awards and points for completing certain levels in a game. Although the score means nothing and it’s just to show your friends how good you are, it is very addictive trying to get the highest GamerScore. The Sony Playstation 3 has Trophies instead of GamerScore and they work in exactly the same way.

You can buy certain titles while online and also download demos of games for FREE. You can also download videos, music videos and movie trailers. On the Microsoft Xbox 360 you can also rent movies online.

The Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 both offer HDMI output for connecting to a HDTV. In the box with the Microsoft Xbox 360 you get a component cable and in the box with the Sony PlayStation 3 you get a standard scart cable. So remember to buy a HDMI cable if you want to go that route. All games that are written for Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 have to be HD compatible to at least 720p in resolution. The Nintendo Wii does not offer any kind of HDMI connection but you can get a resolution of 480p out of it if you buy the correct cable.

Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 are FREE to play online and the Microsoft Xbox 360 you have to pay for. You can get a monthly, 3 monthly or 12 month subscription. In the UK the official price off Microsoft for a 12 month subscription costs 39.99 but shop around as there are some good discounts to be had.

Although you have to pay to play on the Microsoft network, you do get what you pay for and out of all 3 consoles the Microsoft Xbox 360 is miles better than the other 2 for online games. The interface is better, the way you communicate with friends is better and it just feels more solid and rounded than the other 2 offerings.

You add friends by sending a invite to them via your console. Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 let you create any nickname to use as your online name but Nintendo Wii gives you a random load of characters to use, also I believe this can change depending on what game your playing.

The best way to make the online experience better is by getting a good friends list together and then your not playing against people who quit all the time while half way through a game to ruining a game by team killing. Over time you can build up a really good friends list. Friends can all join the same party and then chat to each other but actually be playing different games.

Only the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 allow game chat via headsets. The Microsoft Xbox 360 comes with a headset in the box, this connects to the wireless controller and is pretty good for a FREE headset. The Sony PlayStation 3 can either take a wired headset or a BlueTooth headset (like you would use on your mobile phone). I have so far not found a decent headset for the Sony PlayStation 3 unfortunately. They all seem to hiss and buzz or are too loud. When chatting via the headset it is like being sat next to them and everyone can chime in, so it’s a group game chat not just one to one.

For good price comparisons, checkout somewhere like http://www.caniplay.co.uk They give unbiased prices from a variety of internet sites. Packages are usually a good deal if there are games included that you want, otherwise just get the console on it’s own.

http://www.caniplay.co.uk – For all your gaming needs

Yellow Dog Linux on PS3
By Scott Ace

Did you know that your very own PS3 is actually more powerful then even the best home computers out on the market today. And more then likely it is two times as powerful as the computer you’re reading this from. We hear so much about home PC’s now having Dual Core technology but the PS3 comes with eight powerful CPU cores that absolutely blow anything out on the market today out of the water. So how can we harness this power and turn our humble PS3 into our very own super computer?

Well luckily for us Sony are way ahead of the pack. They built the PS3 with Linux distro’s in mind. And you can actually install Linux on your PS3 much the same way you would with your home computer. And there is nothing extra needed, no extra gadgets or software to buy, just plug and play essentially. Well… As plug and play as it gets with Linux anyway. The great thing is, is that you do not have to lose what you already have on your PS3. So games, music, anything installed on your hard drive is preserved. The PS3 just turns to dual boot mode much the same as a windows PC. So you can either select to go with your standard PS3 OS to play games, or switch to Linux to use it as a home computer.

Now with so many Linux distributions out there, it’s probably going to be a bit of a hard job to choose the right one right? Well actually, your options are slightly cut down due to the PS3 having too much power. (Yes that’s right, too many cores cause issues!). Most standard Linux distributions like redhat, ubuntu, gnome or kubuntu cannot handle the PS3’s 8 cores natively. Mostly down to home computers never having anything close to 8 processors.

This is where Yellow Dog Linux on PS3 comes to the rescue. Sony, know that people would want to utilize the power of their PS3 into something more then playing First Person Shooters each and every day, commissioned a stripped down Linux distro to be directly developed for the PS3. This means your not just getting a “ported” Linux distro, your actually getting something that was made for the PS3 from day one. Not only does Yellow Dog Linux tick all the boxes for harnessing the power of the PS3, it comes prepackaged with everything that you could possibly ever use on your home computer. These extra include Open Office, Pidgin, Gimp and even Mozilla Firefox.

Installing Yellow Dog Linux On PS3 is actually incredibly easy do don’t be afraid that you are going to “Brick” your console by doing something you shouldn’t. Unlike the PSP, PS3’s were made for this sort of customization. And once again i have to point out, Yellow Dog was directly commissioned for this job so you wont be voiding your warranty by installing Yellow Dog Linux on your PS3.

Want to learn more about installing Yellow Dog Linux on your PS3?

Visit us at Linux 4 PS3

How to Install Linux on Your PS3 – Get a Guide
By David Mobely

One of the coolest things about the PS3 is that you can install an operating system and turn it into a PC…and the best operating system going for this is Linux. But if you’re not familiar with it, installing Linux can be tricky on a PC…let alone on your PS3! There’s a ton of free information out there, but personally I think if you’re going to install Linux on your PS3, get a guide.

Why Pay For A Guide When I Can Just Search Online?

Yeah…that’s what I thought too. There’s forums and blogs galore dealing with this topic. Thing is, if you haven’t worked in Linux before, some of the terms sound like a foreign language (what’s the kernel?) Plus, the time factor…I don’t know about you, but I don’t have three hours to spend wading through blog comments to find out why I can’t “sudo, or “mount /dev/ps3da1 /mnt/root” (see what I mean about a foreign language?)

Plus, not only was my PS3 expensive, but it gets used ALOT in my house. With two kids and a Dad (that’s me) addicted to G.R.A.W. and Infamous? Umm, downtime is NOT an option.

What To Look For In A Guide

To get your PS3 running Linux safely (and with a minimum of frustration), look for a guide that has the following:

1. Instructions for popular distros
If you want to install Yellow Dog Linux on PS3, or Ubuntu make sure your guide tells you how.

2. Emulator instructions
If you want to run Windows on your PS3, you need an emulator. Get a guide that includes this information, or you’ll spend hours hunting online (and a lot of the info is out of date).

3. Tech support
Another reason free online info sucks — no tech support! Look for a guide that offers full support and an easy way to contact them (email, phone etc)

4. Simple and easy to understand
Some guides seem like they’re written for people who don’t need a guide! Look for one that will take you step-by-step, and is easy to follow.

5. Upgrades
In my opinion, any guide author worth their salt will give you free lifetime upgrades. Things move pretty fast in the PS3 and the Linux world, and you don’t want to be left behind.

Once you know exactly what to do and what steps to follow, you can have your PS3 working as a second (or third) PC in under an hour.

So if you want to know how to install Linux on your PS3, get a guide. I found the one I used here: http://linuxps3installguide.weebly.com/.

How to Install Linux on PS3
By Munyaradzi Chinongoza

So you want to know how to install Linux on your PS3, huh? Well if you do not know what Linux is, it is an operating system just like Windows. This software is available for free online and there are different versions available to suit different needs.

The process is quite simple. After you have backed up all your saved files, you can go ahead and format your hard drive. Go to ‘System Settings’ then ‘Format Utility’. You will be asked whether you want to format your hard drive. Select ‘Yes’. Now for the partition setting choose the ‘Custom’ setting. This will allow you to allot 10 gigabytes to another operating system.

Insert into your PS3’s disk drive your Ubuntu Linux software that you have downloaded free online and have burnt to a disc as an ISO image file. Go to ‘System Settings’ then scroll down to ‘Install Other OS’. The system will carry out a scan and the disk you inserted into the disk drive should be picked up.

Once you select ‘Enter’ a blue boot screen will pop up, the same as you see on a computer and you will be guided through all the installation steps just like you would be when installing any other software on your computer. Your controller will stop working during this process so you need to have your USB mouse and keyboard plugged in before you start.

During the installation process, do not unplug anything that is plugged into your console or else a red screen will pop up saying installation failure. So even just your external hard drive, do not unplug anything or else the whole process will be canceled and you have to restart.

Remember the software does take a while to install on your PS3, you have to be patient. Once you have installed it, remove the CD from the drive or the system will try access it again when you want to boot your new Linux partition.

Next, discover how to install Linux on your PS3 safely and effectively without voiding your warranty using our special Linux for PS3 installer software. It’s all there for you at our blog: http://ps3linux101.blogspot.com/

Is There Anything Better Than the Dog Linux Download For PS3?
By Jimmy A Jones

If you think a Dog Linux download for PS3 is the best that you can do then think again. The latest release of Linux for PS3 is a super-charged powerhouse of a program. Installation is exceedingly simple, the program is bug free, and installing it will not void your PS3’s warranty… yeah, you heard me right. Want to know what else is cool about this? It turns your PS3 gaming system into a Linux based, multi-tasking computer. You can even have it run the Microsoft Windows OS on it and turn it also into a PC! Is that sweet or what? Can a Dog Linux download for PS3 do all that?

More than all that, you’ll still be able to play all of your PS3 games and watch movies, but now you can go online with it and download, play and run everything – movies, PC applications of all types, PS3 games, games made for other platforms (including those killer-cool old classics from the good old SNES!), and none of it will interfere with the normal functioning of your PS3!

What’s more, if you ever wanted to upgrade your PS3 in the future, this software will never interfere with it. So too, Sony’s upgrades to the PS3 gaming system won’t interfere at all with your new Linux installation either. Can the same be said of a Dog Linux download for PS3? Well, with this new Linux release, you can even have the more advanced Yellow Dog Linux installed as well!

Now, picture it… you now have a Linux powered machine, a PC computer, a storehouse of movies on a slick movie/DVD player, and a PS3 gaming system which downloads and plays games from other platforms as well (including those made for PC), all in one little system. You got room for all of those things in your gaming space? Is your dorm room the size of a stick of gum? Now you can have it all in the tiny space of your PS3 gaming system!

Installing Linux on your PS3 can sometimes void your warranty and/or be damaging to your system! To find out how to install Linux safely and easily without voiding your warranty head over to http://www.linuxforps3.com

Things to Check While Installing Linux on PS3
By Ashish K Arora

The PS3 gaming console has transformed the gaming scene forever. Although almost everyone knows about the superior quality of games that can be played with a PS3, not many know that it can be actually made to work as your PC too. With a little bit of tweaking in the software, you can actually make it a media center cum PC. This can be done by installing Linux on PS3. The entire process is rather simple, if you were to make sure that you check certain things.

1: Before you transform your gaming monster into a PC, you will need to make sure that you have a USB keyboard and mouse, apart from a DVD ready with you. The good thing about this inventory is that most of these things would usually be already there with us.

2: You must make sure that you have fully backed up all the data that you need before you begin installing Linux on PS3. You can save the data using an external hard disk if the files are large or in a USB pen drive. You can download Linux on to a blank DVD and keep it ready for the installation. You can always reinstall the back up data after installing Linux on PS3.

3: Installing Linux on PS3 will essentially mean that the hard disk of the gaming console will have to be split into two. In order to do this you will need to first of all erase all the data from the internal hard disk.

4: Installing Linux on PS3 will be a straightforward process, once you have checked all these aspects. Once you insert the DVD with Linux for beginning the installation process, what you will then need to do is to pretty much follow the prompts of what next to do.

If you are someone who wants more information on installing Linux on PS3, you can find it online. You can Check How my friend installed Linux, to know about the simple steps involved in the installation process and start having more fun with your gaming console. Check how to install Linux on PS3

Linux For PS3 – What Do You Need For a Complete Installation?

By Munyaradzi Chinongoza

So you want to know how to install Linux for PS3, huh? Well, before you can even start the whole installation process, they are some things that you need to get started. These are easily available online and your local electronic store.

What you have to do is format your hard drive. Before you do that its always a good idea to backup everything on your console. That way you can easily restore the old settings if you encounter problems with the installation.

You can use a simple 4 gigabyte USB pocket drive to backup your files on. Just go to your local electronics store and you can get one for less than $20. Once you have installed your Linux, you can always delete the files on it and use it for other things in the future.

You also need a USB keyboard and mouse, because you can not go through the Linux setup with a game controller. An ISO image burner is needed for your Ubuntu Linux software. This is the only format that your PS3 recognizes. Do not worry just like the software required you can download this online for free. Simply do a quick search on Google, and you should have many options to choose from.

The files are going to take a long time to download, sometimes as long as 2 hours. Once you have downloaded the files, the installation process also takes as long as two hours to complete, so make sure you have a lot of spare time. I recommend maybe even doing this overnight so you do not have to sit around and watch the status bar for hours.

Next, discover how to install Linux for PS3 safely and effectively without voiding your warranty using our special Linux for PS3 installer software. It’s all there for you at our blog: http://ps3linux101.blogspot.com/

Running Linux On The PS3
By Marcus Creyton

One of the great features of the Play Station 3 is that it can use Linux, which means that PS3 owners can customize their system and get lots more out of it. Gaming consoles are usually designed so that foreign systems can’t run on them, but the PS3 goes in the total opposite direction, allowing an experienced Linux user to personalize their system. Most gaming systems are “locked” so that other systems can’t be run, so PS3 is unconventional in allowing this. The only thing you can’t do on the PS3 is run accelerated graphics.

PS3 isn’t the first system to allow Linux. The xBox also has this feature, but the PS3 differs in a few ways. First off, the PS3 is more powerful. In addition, the xBox requires a certain chip to run Linux, whereas the PS3 can run it without. In fact, it’s totally free to run Linux on the PS3.

Some of the things you can do with Linux on your PS3 include:

-Use your Play Station like a PC, with a keyboard and mouse. Not all PC programs will run on the PS3, at least not yet, but Linux enables you many options.

-Run your own operating system. This is a boon to those who want to personalize their system.

-Use the internet. You can surf the web on your PS3 with an internet browser such as Firefox.

-Use office software. Although, it’s been reported that Windows doesn’t run well on the PS3. However, in the future, Microsoft could make a version of Windows that can run on the PS3. The rumor mill is buzzing, but there is no official word about this.

-Run MAME and other kinds of emulators. This means you can play all your favorite games from yesteryear on your brand new shiny Play Station 3.

-Play different types of media, such as DVDs, ROMs and CDs. Running Linux, you can watch movies or listen to music on your PS3.

-Connect to network shares. This feature allows you to save and retrieve files on another server, thus saving your memory.

The only problem with getting Linux on your PS3 is that it’s difficult to install and hard to use. Right now, it’s pretty much the domain of experienced programmers and hobbyists. Hopefully, in the future there will be a more user-friendly interface for running Linux on your gaming console. Since PS3 came out, most programmers have used Fedora Core to run Linux on their PS3’s, but there is a new system called Yellow Dog which is designed specifically for use with PS3. Yellow Dog is highly recommended and gaining popularity.

Still, the best thing about Linux is it’s free. All you need is a PS3, the proper cables, a USB mouse and keyboard, a USB flash drive and some other gear to make installation smoother… ok, so it’s not really free, but Linux itself is! If you’ve used Linux before, it may not be so tough to install. There is a variety of websites out there with tips for installation and most recommend Yellow Dog. You can also find ideas on how to run Linux on gaming forums.

Marcus Creyton writes on game console systems. He is a PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii enthusiast. For information, guides, cheats on PS3, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 go here: http://gameconsolekingdom.com