Face it: Sony's backed you into a corner. You
can't play PS3 online without downloading the 3.21 firmware update, but if you download, your precious
'Other OS' is forfeit -- and there may be
side effects. You could wait it out, hoping
Geohot comes through with a workaround. You could even
sue Sony for a refund if you live in Europe. Or, if you're not terribly worried about the security of your PSN account and personal information, you could instead input just
ten digits into your PS3 and magically bypass the entire issue. Though technically minded individuals have been skirting Sony's firmware checks for years now using private proxies, homebrew developer Aaron Lindsay decided to set up a public server at 67.202.81.137, which allows anyone to piggyback on his success in mere seconds -- we tried it ourselves, and it worked like a charm. By doing so, you run the risk of giving Aaron all your credentials... but if the odd identity theft doesn't break your stride, you can jump right back into that
Uncharted 2 session by entering the above number into Internet Connection Settings > DNS Setting > Primary DNS.
Update: As of April 13, the proxy DNS trick no longer works. We're not sure why, but considering how long the hacking community holds a grudge, we expect a workaround in due time.
posted April 9th 2010 9:38PM
*Updates to 3.21 and prepares a LiveUSB for Linux use on my more capable computer*
Although regular computers have less "horsepower" than the CELL, the tons of RAM and - get this - H/W GFX Acceleration makes up for it for desktop use. I tried PS3 linux, don't get me wrong. But it's too EFFING SLOW to be bearable.
This DNS trick may not work for everyone. Some ISPs block DNS servers that aren't their own.
(S)ystem (O)urs (N)ot (Y)ours
firmware check on your game disk. if it's running on a FW lower than the required one then it'll install the one on the game disc like how psp does it. (wii too)
@DMPrince
Then that game will not be purchased.
See how that works, developers?
They aren't going to care. Even if they lose consumers that want linux they'll gain more back.
So, what exactly ARE the MAJOR advantages to being able to run Linux on my PS3?
@webran61
None whatsoever. The only ones that gripe about this is a small population of hackers. The rest of us, who bought the PS3 for playing games and movies, couldn't care less.
@webran61
You can do Folding @Home, do some major number crunching if that's your deal, run SAK to rip BD movies to the PS3 or another computer on the network, use it as a Linux computer especially if it's your only one, and my plan was to have it stream ripped DVDs from my server so I don't have to get off of my couch and find the movie.
Yes I know that the PS3 can act as a UPnP or DLNA client, however I just do a file to file decrypt and not have it combine into one file, so finding the right file to play is a PITA. Plus the solution I want is to be able to browse the collection based off of categories, name, year, etc. and it display coverart. That's what I would have setup with Linux.
Yes, you obviously shouldn't use this guy's DNS servers unless you know him well enough to trust him.
That said, google for it - If you're running Linux on your PS3, you're perfectly capable of:
* Downloading the single executable DNS & proxy for Windows that's all over the net.
* Doing this yourself with Squid via a transparent proxy
Or, and often easiest:
* Use BIND or dnsmasq (the latter is used by DD-WRT and Tomato routers) to bind the update checking hosts to a local webserver on your network (again, something that can easily be done on a Tomato-powered router, and likely DD-WRT), and host the single text file it looks for there.
Not at all difficult/10-30 minute setup time, plus you (probably) won't be pwned.
@YoYoYo
I don't believe you need to setup a squid proxy, but you'll probably need a webserver with the appropriate update files that show the "latest version" to be lower that what the PS3 has. The site ps3-hacks.com has a tutorial to setup a DNS server that just resolves the update server addresses to theirs where they host the update files:
http://www.ps3-hacks.com/2007/02/20/bypass-the-ps3-firmware-check/
This forum thread on ps3news.com details the same thing in the last link and the first post details pretty much the same process, however somewhere in their 51 pages it may detail what the files need to contain, what port the server needs to host on, and any mime types:
http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-guides-tutorials/ps3-firmware-version-check-bypassed-thread-55789.html
I may end up doing a packet capture to see what the Sony servers are sending to my PS3 and do the same. I'll probably just google it first though since I'm lazy.
I still can't believe people are so up in arms about this. Let's go over a few things:
1. If you are using the "OtherOS Option" for legit reasons, and not just oohing and ahhing over being able to run Yellow Dog on a console, you most likely have no need to even access the internet, let alone connect to the PSN to play Modern Warfare 2. The people who are using these things as supercomputers, probably haven't updated the firmware even once since their PS3 farms were made operational.
2. The exploit that was the cause of the removal of the feature, could be used to make backup copies of BR games, and might have even been able to play burned copies of said games. Did you honestly think Sony wouldn't protect themselves against that? They already watched one of their platforms succumb to rampant piracy.
3. When you signed up for the PSN, you agreed that at any point, Sony could remove features or contact at their will. If you don't agree, then don't install the firmware. Simple as that.
@MMcCraryNJ
1) Nerds like playing games too.
3) People complain about service all the time.
2) How exactly does that help them? The exploit requires a physical modification, opening up the machine, and some technical and electrical know-how. It could've been fixed from the software end, can't be used by a normal user, and is only really useful to do research about the system by developers who know what they're doing. Nothing short of grabbing back every PS3 from their bare hands is going to stop that research from happening.
It was an excuse to get rid of it, really. Maybe other exploits will be found that won't require such extreme mods, but to quote Jaymin Kessler, "Wish I could fix bugs by removing features."
There's a good read about it over here: http://ps2dev.org
Hell, I set up this DNS server and I don't even have an Other-OS-able PS3; I got screwed over by the Slim. I just saw no good reason to make the update. Simple at that.
Kinda surprised no one has mentioned this before but I haven't seen it yet. I could care less about running linux on my PS3. But I do use the Other OS option to use SAK and backup my bluray discs because this is the only bluray drive I have. So until computer bluray drives drop to about $25, I am going to continue using SAK to back up my discs and just use the private proxy to log onto PSN.
Here's an easier solution, just buy another PS3 for your gaming needs. :P
I'd rather login to the PSN normally like i have been doing flawlessly since i updated to 3.21
i can live w/o the linux support on ps3 i had it installed but i never really used it because i used the ps3 for alot of other things
This is a nice trick!
Gotta love how much time Engadget has dedicated to a story that maybe half a percent of anyone who has ever bought a PS3 has even thought about using, let alone actually done.
At least with the flood of iPad articles both during announcement and release there's a pretty large number of people who want to know about it, even if there are those who don't. This story is strictly flame bait and uless fodder for arguments in the comments.
For the last time: NOBODY GIVES A FUCK. LET IT GO.
Well I had an xbox 360 and turned 360 degrees but that dick Shaun White pulled a Double McTwist 1260 and showed me up.
This is a Temp Fix, although working, it's either gonna get SONY's attention or the server (67.202.81.137) simply will be overwhelmed @ some point.
What needs to happens is we need other to take Aaron has made and duplicate it.
I know with my PS3 (80GB - Backward Compatible to PS2) I paid for a feature to "Install Other OS". If SONY wants to take that away, then they owe me close to $400 as far as I see it. They did not add it to the newer (Slim) PS3's and that's fine, but when you buy a car, they have features on year and not the next, but my dealer does not call me 3 years after and tell me: "You need to bring in your car for service, we don't include side impact airbags in that model anymore, and due to an exploit we are taking them away from all models"
If SONY wants to remove features that people paid for, then the PS3's should be a leased / rented Console. Think of it Sony, Leasing it's a Cash Cow!
Bottom line: For those of us that have the older PS3 and chances are it is out of Warranty anyway, LEAVE OUR "FEATURES" ALONE!!!
Maybe a little Safer and Reliable option is Logan5's Proxy Tool that will Emulate the 3.21 Update:
First, download the Tool (My Divshare Account): http://www.divshare.com/direct/11019752-162.zip
1. Extract Files into a Directory (EG: Logan5)
2. Run it
3. Ensure “Firmware Update” remains unchecked.
4. Click “Start Proxy” and take note of your IP.
5. On your PS3, go to Settings -> Network Settings -> Internet Connection Settings.
6. Select “Custom” and proceed through each screen, setting up your connection as normal, until you reach “Proxy Server.”
7. Select “Use.”
8. Enter the IP address and port as shown in Logan5’s tool.
9. Advance forward, save your connection and try it out. You should be able to sign in to PSN with no problems.
Worked for me!
I did send in a tip for a proxy server based method
http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-online-news/ps3-firmware-3-21-update-arrives-only-does-less-than-did-110381-2.html#post288097
I am using this method and it works like a charm
So much for the
"It only does everything" campaign.
the proxy hack isnt working for me at the moment. anyone else having trouble?
@ace731
It doesn't make me breakfast either, but it does do everything those commercials say it does. They have never really sold this as a primary function, I could see a small percentage of people using it and getting up in arms, but it really is a fringe crowd.
No it doesn't cook breakfast but you can look up a recipie online!
It's been out for 3 years and now they are concerned about security with the other os! What a load of $h!t. I'll update when they tell me what happens to my partition for the other os. I've been asking and nobody seems to know or chooses not to answer.
Will I have to reformat?
Thanks for not even giving me credit for the tip, I gave them a tip to this 5 days ago, thanks a lot engadget, I always read your blog...
Here is to Sony inevitably alienating more & more of the gaming community with their highly anti-social backlash over something that is so minor. Hey Sony, if you're so worried about a few thousand people hacking why don't you do something about the million plus that use lag switches, modded controllers, etc to ruin competitive online gaming instead? You might find more people would buy games if they could trust them to be legit from a competitive perspective.....
Oh sorry, did I hit a nerve there?
never used linux on my PS3, never will. I ran the update last night...