Fedora Linux up and running on PlayStation 3 (with video)

Ok, so we're admittedly jealous that not only does this engineering user have a PlayStation 3 in his possession, but has the time to load up Fedora Linux on it while we yearn to just sneak in a few minutes of long-awaited gameplay. While we're sure this hardcore fellow went to great lengths to get his paws on a highly-coveted unit, his endearing patience in firing up a launch title is quite admirable, and he's apparently got Linux not only installed, but up and functioning as well. While we knew that the Yellow Dog variety would be making its way over to Sony's latest console, we're thrilled to see that all the Linux hype has a backbone and a new home to boot. So if you're just dying to see what Fedora Core looks like on a Cell processor, make sure you peep the video after the break.

[Thanks, Klippoth]

[TeddyN @ Nov 19th 2006 7:33PM]

lol, I'm not sure that the fact that the PS3 can run linux is going to make a difference to this console's success. People don't buy consoles in order to run linux I'm afraid...

[Flalex @ Nov 19th 2006 7:02PM]

Think of the ebay value on that!

[Rob Pribish @ Nov 19th 2006 7:02PM]

thats cool but the resolution doesn't look too good first post?

[Rob Pribish @ Nov 19th 2006 7:03PM]

nope lol

[Wick3d GooSe @ Nov 19th 2006 7:03PM]

Freaking sweet! I heard from a source that there are a few universal PS3 consoles, which can play Xbox 360, Nintendo, super Nintendo, and all that stuff? Maybe true maybe not.

Also heard from a source that the next shipment of PS3 consoles to finish those pre-order lists will be this Tuesday the 21st.

[Eric @ Nov 19th 2006 7:04PM]

Thats awesome! But a bit sluggish, though thats prolly to blame the HDD. It spins at liek 4,200 or 5,400?
Thumbs up, thats awesome. Can't wait to see the hordes of PS3s out there running Folding@home

[Mrfreezie @ Nov 19th 2006 7:10PM]

Lol, doesn't seem like a "super computer" now does it?

[Thomas Bags @ Nov 19th 2006 7:11PM]

can anyone say ROMS
which means
play genesis, gba, snes, n64, etc, etc

[humpty @ Nov 19th 2006 7:11PM]

If this is the same guy running SMB on PS3 from another YouTube video, then hes got it hooked up to some 20 inch CRT via composite (lol)... anyways, this'll be a great way to run emulators without hacking the PS3 firmware.

[John Miller @ Nov 19th 2006 7:12PM]

Can I run Windows Vista on that? If so I might just have to buy one!

[suntiger @ Nov 19th 2006 7:18PM]

No. The PS3 is a Cell processor, which is PowerPC based. Windows Vista is x86 (Intel & AMD) based. It's a completely different architecture, so it won't run. Plus, if it could it'd be hellishly slow.

[Ondra Soukup @ Nov 19th 2006 7:29PM]

Ask yourself...does Vista support IBM Cell processors ? Nope, you're out of luck..

[ethana2 @ Feb 17th 2008 3:21AM]

I feel sad for you. Vista does less than Ubuntu by a factor of two while eating litterally four times the RAM.

Even if windows was written well enough to be portable between ISA's, it's to bloated for that sleek machine by far.

[adam @ Nov 19th 2006 7:19PM]

I wonder if new linux nvidia drivers have support for power architecture and the rsx chip.

It'd be cool to get xgl/compiz running on it. And to be fair, it's running quite quick, cause it probably takes about 2 minutes for me to boot fedora core on my 3 ghz machine, and the video was over in 2:30.

U all know this means the ps3 is already the ultimate emulation platform, expect to see all past-gen consoles emulated on it, including mame and everything which has technically already been ported.

I doubt you'll see it emulating xbox360 though, I bet you wish it could, then maybe you ps3 owners could play some gears of war. To bad it's technically impossible, not to mention that the 360 is actually faster then the ps3 when it comes to common everyday regular multi-threaded code. Although the ps3 would probably cream the 360 at folding@home.

[Jonathan B @ Nov 19th 2006 7:22PM]

Notice it doesn't recognize the drive as Blu-ray, he'll need to get drivers to fix that one lol

[Grant @ Nov 19th 2006 7:32PM]

LOL @ ATT.

wow, the 360 can't be used as a PC. oh wait, i have 2 laptops and a desktop to do those things with and it was a hell of alot easier than worrying about installing linux on a machine with limited inputs and driver availablitity.
hope you have an external DVD or cd drive, cause other wise your not doing much of anything than using that as a network machine.

[Ashley Allen @ Nov 19th 2006 7:33PM]

Piracy! Awesome!

Another great reason not to make games for the PS3!

[ElCapitanAmerica @ Nov 19th 2006 8:08PM]

>Piracy! Awesome!
>Another great reason not to make games for the PS3!

Running linux on it has nothing to do with piracy.

[Hugh Jass @ Nov 19th 2006 10:25PM]

Umm... yeah. Linux is free, bud. Even if it weren't... if he had a license, it still wouldn't be piracy.

[Yem @ Nov 19th 2006 7:41PM]

"People don't buy consoles in order to run linux I'm afraid..."

I bought an Xbox to run XBMC - haven't ever used it for games. If this PS3 can run "homebrew" code out-of-the-box, then a media player distro seems inevitable. Well, I hope so anyway. The xbox is noisy (and ugly).

[patrick @ Nov 19th 2006 7:35PM]

I have seen a video of a NES emulator running on the PS3 through Linux. This seems possible as there are alot of emulators for Linux this could be very interesting.

[Mr. Picklesworth @ Nov 19th 2006 7:35PM]

Way to show off the hardware support!

Sheesh, he didn't even open the system monitor or look at the filesystem.
Really, what's the point of making a video if all you're going to do is flip through the menus; look like a buffoon by staring blankly at the file explorer and clicking the Show Desktop button for no reason; then turn it off?

Hoping to see a better video soon...

[Yem @ Nov 19th 2006 7:36PM]

Cool. Not too big a stretch of the imagination to see the arch-dependent parts of mplayer and ffmpeg ported or bypassed so you'd have divx/xvid/etc working.

Upgrade that hard drive.. usb tuner..

[ATT @ Nov 19th 2006 7:40PM]

looks like sony release*
Install Manual of Open Platform for PLAYSTATION�3

Requirements for Installing "Other OS"

* Personal computer (PC)
* PLAYSTATION�3 (a free space of 10 MB or more must be available on the hard disk)
* Environment that allows your PC to connect to the Internet
* Any of the following recording media with a free space of 10 MB or more
* Commercially available USB memory device
* Commercially available USB-connectable hard disk
* Empty CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVE+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, BD-R, or BD-RE disc
* Memory Stick� *
* SD memory card *
* CompactFlash� *


http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/manual.html

[Chris McDowell @ Nov 19th 2006 7:59PM]

Mine has been working great running XBMC. Who knows if it is ugly cause I never see it or hear it. My projector isnt any louder than the xbox. Clean your fan.

[abelIAN @ Nov 19th 2006 7:54PM]

Has this guy ever used Linux before?

[Limestallc @ Nov 19th 2006 7:57PM]

Yep my life would be complete if i could run linux on a $600 box with 256mb of ram, because that wont hold back the processor at all.

[M777 @ Nov 19th 2006 7:59PM]

Nice! Notice that in the bootloader (lilo?) every penguin stands for a CPU...

[Josh Warner @ Nov 19th 2006 8:04PM]

As much as I hate Sony, this could be tempting for one reason: MythTV. Myth (for those not in the know) is one of the best PVR suites out there, and it runs on Linux.

So... while $500 (plus a large hard drive) looks fairly steep for a console (I definitely wouldn't buy one for games) it is damn cheap for a well designed media center PC. You would be hard pressed to beat the form factor/power/noise level buying components from NewEgg.

If Fedora runs, Myth will too. In all seriousness, I might buy one (once they actually become available) and never boot it into gaming mode.

[ElCapitanAmerica @ Nov 19th 2006 8:08PM]

I tought about MythTV too. However, no TV tuner != DVR :-(

[Mike @ Nov 19th 2006 10:09PM]

USB TV Tuners/Capture Devices ?
http://avreport.com

[steve @ Nov 19th 2006 8:23PM]

wow, now i'm impressed. My question, is this offically supported? Is this something that will be disabled in future updates, like what sony did to homebrew for the PSP? I want to do this when I can get a system earley next year, but hopefully they don't lock this feature out.

[ElCapitanAmerica @ Nov 19th 2006 8:41PM]

It's officially supported:
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html

[greg @ Nov 19th 2006 8:24PM]

another reason for me to buy a ps3 YAY!!!

[Eric @ Nov 19th 2006 8:49PM]

Uh, how was that "up and functioning well?" He just browsed through the menu for a minute, he didn't test the sound card, he didn't test the network, nor did he test any kind of hardware accelerated video. I'm going to guess that none of those things work, yet. Granted, they will eventually, but I don't think you're going to be dropping MythTV on there for a few months at least.

Still, that with MythTV or Freevo on it will make a nice set up (especially if you can get a decent USB capture device). I'm now slightly more interested in a PS3, but it has the same issue that the original Xbox had (with XBMC), it just doesn't look right with other AV components. Hopefully a replacement case design will come along, because I'm far too lazy to design my own.

[steve @ Nov 19th 2006 8:51PM]

btw, the ps3 has usb ports, so an external video turner would fix the MythTV issue. As long as the drivers exist. If not, you'll have to be a true geek and write them yourself!

[Klippoth @ Nov 19th 2006 9:23PM]

Actually, the reason for the lack of high-resolution is that I captured the video by hooking up my PS3 to my old workhorse MythTV computer, which didn't support High-Def input. So, unfortunately, composite it is... Although I didn't think it would make much difference once Youtube compressed things down to 320x240 anyway...

[Klippoth @ Nov 19th 2006 9:23PM]

First off, I'll admit right now I am not the most knowledgeable on Linux, which is why I didn't go too deeply into all of the software apps and whatnot (although I think we all know what Mahjongg or a movie looks like by now without me showing you). This was just basically a "proof-of-concept" and I am currently rendering a version with full voiceover to explain everything. I should have that posted up on Youtube within an hour or so. And as far as resolution goes, I captured the footage with my old MythTV box which didn't have High Def support, so composite is about as good as it gets. I'll probably do some more captures of various software applications later, since people seem to be wanting that sort of thing, although I don't want to mess with it too much, since this is an Ebay item. But thanks for the feedback, and for all the haters, make a better video! I'll be glad to watch it! Thanks!

And by the way, I am having issues with Network support, sound support, and mounting the optical drive, but that could be my unfamiliarity with Gnome (I'm a KDE guy) so I'll keep working on it and post some video once I get the machine fully functional. Unless someone else beats me to it, because I'm sure there's someone more qualified than I to figure it out!

[Klippoth @ Nov 19th 2006 9:25PM]

Here's the new version (with voiceover explanations to break the monotony)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZXcuhJkwx4

[tux @ Nov 19th 2006 9:44PM]

for those who are not familiar with linux, the boot process was FAST!
well, faster than any Intel machines I ever used.

(provided the video is running at normal speed)

[Chris Chance @ Nov 19th 2006 9:48PM]

LOL who wnts to use a pc on a INORDER EXECUTION PROCESSOR its dog slow incomparison to even older generic processors lol

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2006 9:52PM]

lol its not a fast bootup its a stripped down bootup and i've seen faster on both my gentoo boxes...

And whats the sense in a ps3 linux box if you need a PC to get it completed why not just run it on the darn PC????

And if this is one of those "we can do it" running linux... impressive was an ipod running linux not a ps3...

But as i said, why run any desktop OS linux or otherwise if the cell processor doesnt have any branch prediction? Like i said in the previous post, a friggin inorder executive processor is enough to slam anyones hopes of the ps3 as a relevent alternative to standard desktops (athlon / core duo etc)

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2006 9:58PM]

and a pretty stupid question... let me get this logic here... a ps3 to run mythtv?

So lets see a hard to find 600$ device, that if you buy it now will cost 2000-9000$ and wont include any tv tuners and is non upgradeable in anyway except harddrive... so you'll need to get other compatible tv tuners via usb as well....

or the alternative, a htpc with mythtv for around the same price if not less than the cheapest ps3 you can find... and it'll be faster because it doesnt use the stupid cell and uses a proper general processor.

I just really cant see peoples logic in the least

[rad @ Nov 19th 2006 10:04PM]

wow Chris' htpc which doesn't use the stupid cell and uses a proper general processor can play ps3 games~

[Andrew Hansen @ Nov 19th 2006 10:11PM]

seriously, what is wrong with chris?... its not all about mythtv

[Chris Chance @ Nov 19th 2006 10:13PM]

I know that rad

the point was there are people saying "i think i'll get one to run mythtv on" and it just didnt make sense... yes as a console it might be good (though recent reviews of ps3 games is quite lacking) the fact is the ability to use a desktop os as it is just a gimmick and i hate to see people eating it up.

Especially when places like engadget are saying the ps3 is a "supercomputer" when in actuallity the hardware inside the ps3 is not designed to be any type of general purpose computer in the least by sheer hardware design.

[Josh Warner @ Nov 19th 2006 10:29PM]

I completely agree... in-order execution is not going to allow performance like a 3.2 GHz desktop (any processor type). However, for my HTPC needs I don't WANT blazing speed; I want quiet.

For the record, the Cell is fast but only on specific applications (like scientific calculations, hence the Folding@Home client). Very few desktop applications benefit likewise, which is what you are commenting on.

There is, however, at least one notable exception (and it ISN'T games!) - video encoding/decoding. That is pretty much all you need for a HTPC, so this should serve the purpose.

Did I (or anyone) suddenly get the urge to drop 10 grand for one on Ebay? No way. But when they are available in bulk, this will be interesting. Especially after the Linux community starts compiling video recording/editing/decoding programs optimized for the Cell.

That's all...

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2006 10:14PM]

not many with those specs but then again i dont know of any HTPC's with in-order executive processors with no branch prediction either... its not fud its fact.

[Andrew Hansen @ Nov 19th 2006 10:33PM]

i think he meant game piracy, like playing backed up games, not linux piracy...
thats just my interpretation

[Matt @ Nov 19th 2006 10:31PM]

Does mplayer work? Isn't there a port to PPC?
And are we sure we can't access the PS3's 3D hardware, or is it just that there's no driver yet?