It is simple to install a 2.5' hard drive in a PS3 according to the link below from Popular Mechanics. I had a 120GB ssd so upgraded the hard drive first. It also says Linux can be loaded to the PS3 console.
The ubuntu wiki page for sixaxis says to install QtSixA, which I did. The issue now is actually using the controller. I installed 'SuperTux 2' to test it out. Normally, SuperTux says there is no joystick. When I plug in the PS3 Controller, and press scan, it then displays all of the controls and their assigned buttons.
There is a utility in Software Management called kboot which will be installed in the installation process to aid the boot obviously.
Select the second option, ‘Install Ubuntu’, and press return to launch the desktop installer automatically. Alternatively, select the first option, ‘Try Ubuntu without installing’, to test Ubuntu (as before, you can also install Ubuntu from this mode too). A few moments later, after the desktop has loaded, you’ll see the welcome window.
A two-part tutorial on installing the Yellow Dog Linux operating system on a Sony Playstation 3 (PS3). With this, you can install firefox on your PS3. Part 1 of 2 - How to Install Linux on a PS3.
I am only getting ready to do this with the instructions in this link. First step is backup which is part of the console. I am going to install Linux Mint Cinnamon 18.3 'Serena' on the Playstation 3. Ironically, this is not possible with Windows etc.. This is authorized by the manufacturer so totally legit in case you were wondering (view link) These are the instructions from Popular Mechanics, keep in mind they are not experts so try not laugh: 'The first step in loading the new operating system is to create a drive partition. Select 'System Settings,' then 'Format Utility' from the menu of the PS3. Choose 'Custom' and allot 10 GB to the 'Other OS.' Choose 'Quick Format,' then restart. Once the partition is made, the OS can be loaded from the Ubuntu disc using the 'Install Other OS' function under 'Settings' in the PS3 menu.
This installs kboot, which allows the PS3 to install Ubuntu. Switching between the PlayÂStation operating system and Ubuntu is not as straightforward as dual booting a standard PC. In fact, after installing the kboot file, you need to delve back into the PS3's System Menu to designate 'Other OS' under 'Default System' before the PS3 even installs the full Ubuntu OS. When you restart the PS3, plug a mouse and keyboard into the USB ports.',' The console will boot using your Ubuntu disc and install the new system. (Expect it to take about an hour.) With Ubuntu installed, you can use your PS3 to run programs such as OpenOffice for spreadsheets and word processing, Firefox for Web surfing and VLC for movie playback. In short, your console will be able to do anything a normal PC can do. There is, however, a trick to getting back to the native PlayStation OS. To make the switch, reboot the console, and at the boot prompt, type 'boot-os-game,' then press Enter. This brings the PS3 back to game land'. https://www.popularmechanics.com/techno ... 3/4263321/
Today, you will learn how to install Ubuntu Gutsy (as a second operating system) on your PlayStation 3 gaming console. For those of you who think for a second (and who are scared) that this will replace their PS3 operating system, well you guys are wrong, because this will NOT erase your PlayStation 3 native operating system (called XMB) and it will run as an alternative OS on your PS3 console. Ready? Are you excited? Let's go!
Things needed:
1. An USB flash drive or a Memory Card (PS3 can read only SD/miniSD Memory Card, Memory Stick PRO (Duo) and CompactFlash). Or, as an alternative, you can use a portable hard disk with FAT32 filesystem on it.
2. An USB keyboard and mouse attached to your PS3.
3. Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) PS3 ISO image, which you can always download from Softpedia. You will need to burn this ISO image on a blank CD with your favorite CD/DVD burning tool.WARNING:Be aware that if you continue, all the saved games, game data, bought games, downloaded demos, PlayStation Home settings/installation and any data (music, movies, pictures) saved on the hard drive of the PlayStation 3 will be permanently ERASED. However, the PlayStation 3 settings will NOT be lost. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you back up immediately any saves of your games, hard drive movies, pictures, music or PlayStation Home data on a removable HDD device or USB stick! The bought games or downloaded demos can not be copied, but you will be able to re-download without the need to buy them again, as they are stored on your PlayStation Network account.
Prepare your PlayStation 3 for Ubuntu:
You will need to partition the PS3 hard drive, otherwise you will not be able to install Ubuntu. Power on your PS3, Log in and go to 'Settings -> System Settings', scroll down until you find the 'Format Utility', press X on it and go to 'Format Hard Disk' (last option). You'll be asked if you want to format your hard disk, so press 'Yes' and then you must choose a partition setting for the hard drive. Select the 'Custom' option, then select 'Allot 10GB to the Other OS' entry and do a 'Quick Format'. When it's done, reboot your PS3.
The KBoot installation:
As I don't have an USB flash drive, I've used an external hard drive for this operation, and it worked like a charm. Create a folder, on your USB stick (drive), called PS3, and inside this folder create another one called OTHEROS. Put the otheros.bld (otheros.bld for PlayStation 3) file in the OTHEROS folder. Now, go to 'Settings -> System Settings -> Install Other Os' and hit X to detect and install KBoot.
Boot and install the Ubuntu PS3 Live CD
How To Install Ubuntu On Ps3 From Usb Drive
Are you wondering how to access what you've just installed above? Go to 'Settings -> System Settings -> Default System' (press X) and select 'Other OS'. You'll be asked if you want to quit your PS3 system and start the other OS (of course you do), so choose 'Yes' and wait for the PS3 to reboot. You should attach the USB keyboard and mouse to the PS3. In a few seconds, you will see 'Ubuntu PS3 KBoot Loader' text on the top of your screen. Insert the Ubuntu PS3 Live CD in your PS3, type install and wait for the Live CD to load.
In a few seconds, you will see that sexy wallpaper of Ubuntu Gutsy and the installation wizard will appear. Follow the installation steps from here if you don't know what to do.
Go back to the PS3 OS
How To Install Ubuntu On Ps3 From Usb Drive
To get back to your PS3 OS, restart Ubuntu and, at the KBoot prompt, type:
boot-game-os
and hit enter. Wait for the PS3 to reboot and you'll see the XMB (PlayStation 3 operating system).
Conclusions
Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon has greatly been improved for the PS3 hardware. It can now recognize all the components of your PS3 console, like the Blu-ray unit, the Gelic network card, USB and Bluetooth ports, and the sound system! Even if the installation part takes around 40 minutes (four times longer than on a regular PC), Ubuntu proved to be quite fast on the PS3 console. From the screenshots below, you will see that I can listen to music, watch movies and even transfer files from my BlackBerry, via Bluetooth. However, as I don't have a HD Ready TV, I can't really enjoy Ubuntu on my PS3, that's why the screenshots are so small!
Install Ubuntu 9.04 On Ps3
Pros:
How To Install Ubuntu On Ps3 From Usb Cable
- It will recognize all the hardware components of your PS3 console.- It runs quite fast.- Easy to install.
How To Install Ubuntu On Ps3 From Usb Flash Drive
Cons:
How To Install Ubuntu On Ps3
- The installation takes too long. About four times longer than a normal PC installation!- When you want to reboot Ubuntu, it will actually shut down. I don't know why it does this, maybe it's a problem that happened only to me.- You must have an HD Ready TV in order to do something useful in Ubuntu. With regular TVs you will have a 576x460 resolution and you will not see the entire window of most applications!