Install Ubuntu 7.10 on a PS3 so you can play Super Mario 2

by Brad Linder Dec 9th 2007

Sure, that expensive Playstation3 video game console in your living room can play DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, downloaded videos, and video games with killer graphics. But haven't you always wanted to install some old-school Nintendo and Atari games on there? OK, we're seriously hoping that's not the only thing you do if you decide to load Linux onto your PS3, but it's one of the many possibilities once you have a fully functional computer operating system on your game system.

The folks over at SoftPedia have put together step by step instructions for installing Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon on a PS3. The best thing is, you can install Ubuntu without removing your PS3's native operating system, meaning you'll be able to choose between playing video games and using your game console as a multimedia-friendly computer.

You'll need a USB flash drive (or hard drive), a USB keyboard, and an installer CD. Oh yeah, and a lot of time on your hands. Installation takes about 4 times longer on a PS3 than on a typical PC. You'll also probably want an HDTV if you plan on using your PS3 to do any serious computing. Otherwise you'll be stuck with an extraordinarily low screen resolution that makes it hard to fit more than one window on your screen.

[via Digg]

Tags: gutsy-gibbon, playstation3, ps3, ubuntu

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony said 8:20AM on 12-10-2007

I could be wrong but something tells me that your xbox live account would disappear if they discovered Linux on your console :)

James said 1:04PM on 12-11-2007

Are you trying to be stupid or did you just not read the post? I don't pick up the sarcasm, if it's supposed to be there.

It's about the _PS3_, not the 360. The Xbox Live equivalent is called Playstation Network, and you won't get banned, because Sony supports installing Linux through a sanctioned channel. There's actually a System menu option "Install Another Operating System" which launches an installer from an optical disc. You can even upgrade your hard drive without voiding the warranty!

Of course, when you install another OS it locks you out from portions of the GPU so you can't do quite everything a commercial game developer could, but it's still pretty neat.

Rumble said 8:28AM on 12-10-2007

I remember when the word going around was gamers would be able to install Yellow Dog onto their PS3s, but this is way cooler. It's too bad the only area I support Microsoft in is console gaming. The 360 offers a larger (and better) game selection and more social features, but the PS3 blows the Xbox away in freedom to do what you please with your console. I'm all about freedom in computing, but I gotta have my online gaming. And now that the latest Xbox Dashboard update adds support for DivX/XviD video, I think I can live without cramming Ubuntu onto my 360.

Rumble said 8:28AM on 12-10-2007

Yes sir, you are correct. No modifications go free without a swift, hard banhammer.

NoK610 said 9:29PM on 12-10-2007

Can it actually play games? j/k... what's the point?

Rumble said 10:56PM on 12-10-2007

It's Linux. Because we can.

NoK610 said 11:02PM on 12-10-2007

Oh...ok.

Landonkeywest said 3:21PM on 12-11-2007

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/11/13/divx-support-coming-to-the-ps3-soon/

Divx will be hitting the PS3 as well.

It's a great little console. I'm not a fanboy, I really looked at both consoles before I bought one. The flexibility of the PS3, included WiFi, AND if I wanted to, I could throw Linux on it.

Also, the failure rate of the XBox was just too high.

I might just have to give this a shot, just to see what it can do.

batasalah said 8:13AM on 2-01-2008

thank you so much

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