As most of you know, running Linux on a PS3 can a be rather slow experience due to the low amount of RAM available on the system. Fortunately there are ways of making things run smoother. Here are a couple of tips:
Removing Tracker
Tracker is a nice search tool, but it takes a heavy load on your CPU while indexing. If you don’t need quick desktop search, you should disable or remove it.
Disable it by going to [System > Preferences > Search and Indexing] and disable indexing and watching. Under the Performance tab you can set Indexing speed to slow, and minimize memory usage.
If you want to completely uninstall Tracker, use this command:
sudo apt-get remove tracker tracker-search-tool tracker-utils
Drop Unnecessary Processes and Services
You should also consider dropping some of the automatically started processes on the system. From [System] > [Preferences] > [Sessions] you can disable unwanted startup programs. Here’s a list of examples of session services you can safely disable:
- Bluetooth Manager
- Evolution Alarm Notifier
- Network Manager
- Power Manager
- Print Queue Applet
- Check for new hardware drivers
- Tracker + Tracker Applet
- Visual Assistance
For more information, see the PSUbuntu wiki.
Other tweaks
Consider removing the wallpaper image and use a solid black color instead.
Another option is to install the alternative desktop manager Xfce. You can either install the Xubuntu desktop on top of your existing Ubuntu installation (sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop), or download the Xubuntu installer disc for a clean install.
You may also experiment with more lightweight window managers such as openbox or fluxbox.
Also see xbmc’s forum tutorial on how to reduce memory usage with the run level configurator sysv-rc-conf.
Share your tips on how to boost PSUbuntu performance in the comments or this forum thread.
This post is tagged Performance, speed, tracker, xubuntu
31 Comments
Nov 7th, 2008
I see the Xubuntu ISO you link to is a daily build from Oct 30th, and not the one that was released when 8.10 was officially released? Any reason for this? Have you been able to confirm that the daily build works while the released one does not?
Nov 7th, 2008
No reason. Wrong link. Fixed it now.
Dec 1st, 2008
Speeding up linux on the ps3 is all very fine but it won’t do much good when the wifi STILL DOESNT WORK on 8.10 . . God damnit. . it’s been several days since it’s release
Dec 2nd, 2008
I am on Xubuntu Gutsy with ps3 firmware 2.53.
To get wireless to work you need to update kernel to 2.6.25.4, install wpasupplicant, and wifi-radar/or wicd. The problem with most is finding the right kboot. Some kboots give me endless errors, while some petitboot just hang. I did find the right one eventually and it works flawlessly with WPA.
Just follow the tutorials and your good to go.
Dec 17th, 2008
Is there a version of Ubuntu or Xubuntu that works 100% on the PS3 with regausrd to the wireed LAN and WAN issues, as not being able to get my wired connection working (yet my router see’s connection) is VERY annoying considering to go straight back to yellowdog which is a shame, but at least they have a fully working distro !
Dec 18th, 2008
I find that since 8.10, everything on Ubuntu works flawlessly on the PS3. Remember to use the alternative ISO, as everything can be done through the installer with relative ease, as there’s no Live CD option.
Dec 20th, 2008
I had some issues with installing Xubuntu. The part that says “Detect and Install Software” stalled at 6% for a long 20 minutes (please wait…). Anyhow, the install ended up failing. I wanted to use Xubuntu because it is efficient on memory but I guess Ubuntu will do for now. I guess I could do some research on how to make Ubuntu more efficient.
Dec 22nd, 2008
Hello everyone,
I have a small question, I recently read on the INTERNET that ´yellow dog Linux 6.1´ can access the vram memory to use it as an swap memory. So with pain in my hart a downloaded the 4gig iso and installed it on my ps3, after that it was indeed faster and with some work I installed vlc media player but it wasn´t the new version. As you can read I´m really a noob with the whole linux thing on ps3. The thing is I don´t like ´yellow dog linux´ it is really crap. A day later I read on the www that openSUSE can al so use the vram, downloaded, installed but man what a fucking mess that os is. I tried the gnome version and Kde version … both crap. Unbelievable, I spend hours, hours in this bullshit, 8gig out of my 25gig wasted.
I have 2 question and I hope you don´t mind:
How come that Ubuntu is still the best out there?
Is the Ubuntu PS3 community working on accessing the vram throughout the new kernel.
Sorry for the long intro but I´m really pissed of at yellow dog and opensuse, this has been a lesson for me never I´m I gonna use another linux than Ubuntu.
Gtz The Prodejeff
Jan 9th, 2009
@The Prodejeff
One can try compiling the kernel given in the OpenSuse 11.1 repositories.
Have not tried it yet though.
Jan 10th, 2009
Just wondering if anybody else has tried to use an sd card for swap ram, I just formated my 4 gig sd card to linux swap using gparted and turned it on, it seems to have better performance thus far, but i have only been using it for about 15 mins.
Jan 14th, 2009
is it possible to use a thumb drive as ram on ubuntu ps3?
Jan 14th, 2009
Hello everyone,
I once used a Sony USB Memory Stick as an swap file, you can find the code lines on the internet. That is how I found them.
I noticed a performance and it fuckup my MS very good, but the MS from Sony are crap anyway. But I thinks it is worth the try but make sure you don´t stick a MS that you use for you files just take an older on. Or buy on specifically for this swap trick.
Well it is possible
Jan 15th, 2009
what did you get for your md5sum on this xubuntu 8.10 download?
Jan 15th, 2009
He,
Sorry, forget the mention it. I did it on the normal ubuntu release for PS3. Right now I have Xubuntu and it works not bad at all even without the usb swap it works not bad. I really hope psubuntu will integrate the latest kernel. The kernel in the latest YLD and openSUSE can access the vram in the PS3. When psubuntu can integrate this kernel then Linux on the PS3 can finally be useful. Right now it still an experiment. Well that is how I see it.
I installed the latest YDL and openSUSE but the are crap because ubuntu has a lot of software, the latest VLC, mplayer and more. You can install VLC on YDL but it isn´t the latest version and mplayer is also possible but ubuntu is much easier.
Oh and openSUSE is the most crap of them all, nice install info but shit of disaster of an Linux OS.
Gtz The Prodejeff
Jan 31st, 2009
@Prodejeff
Doubt you’ll read this, but seriously dude…. ease up on openSUSE. I use Ubuntu, openSUSE and SLES10 on a daily basis(home, work, and school respectively) and SUSE is not a bad line of distros. You keep complaining about it but haven’t given one good reason why other than it’s ‘messy’ and ubuntu is ‘easier’ which to me says “I hate openSUSE because I don’t know how to use it!”
Sorry for being off topic, but that was just too annoying to not comment
Feb 9th, 2009
SaintMantooth got it just right.
Feb 15th, 2009
i,m downloading ubunta now as i,m writing this, i,m currently using yellow dog but have heard ubunta is a lot better, i hope i heard correctly?
Feb 28th, 2009
Bear, you will not be disappointed. If you are a noob like me you will find that installing most programs are much easier then using YDL.
Mar 9th, 2009
The thing is i had ubuntu 7.04 and then i updated it to 8.04 but the point is that ubuntu 8.04 is so slow it doesnt even load up properly and wifi works on my ubuntu
Apr 21st, 2009
what’s this you say about YDL and opensuse using the VRaM? You mean the video RAM, the Gddram that is locked out…
if they can access it that would mean Sony has unlocked it and any distro should be able to do the same. I would like to see application or element YDL uses, or what kernel, and put it on my ubuntu install. It might make it play another couple of games.
Jul 27th, 2009
ksi
Jul 27th, 2009
is it any goog i might get it for my ps3 and is it hard to do?
Aug 30th, 2009
i don`t know what to do, install psubuntu or YDL V6.2?
Oct 4th, 2009
Hi all.
Is it better to install “alternate” o “desktop” ubuntu ?
I think about alternate, but i’m not shure, because PS3 have less then 512MB, better less 256MB.
Other, If I select full disk installation, ubuntu create a swap partition ?
Did I need to do it by my self ?
Thanks
Nicola
Oct 8th, 2009
@Nicola:
I accidentally downloaded desktop instead of alternate (ubuntu 9.04 jaunty) and it would not install at all (blank screen after kboot).
The alternate install worked just fine.
Oct 15th, 2009
i am VERY new to the whole Linux world right now, i would like to learn more about this wonderful world known as linux. but i have a few questions for my ps3, and i need you guy’s help.
What is a good and simple GUI to use?
What Programs can i use for Linux?
What version of Linux can use the ps3′s WiFi with little problems?
And what Version uses the least amount of VRAM?
thanks for playing and may the Great Waffle Bless you!
Nov 6th, 2009
What are u guys talking about, this thread is for tips. Move on.
Nov 20th, 2009
is it good to deaktivate the bluetooth manager???
how the ps3 game pad should work without cable?
Nov 23rd, 2009
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Apr 12th, 2010
Regarding the vram, does this help? http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/ps3-conf/ps3vram-swap.rules
Oct 8th, 2011
If anyone still has problems with their linux installation here is a script that might help you:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ps3script/
I hope it helps
Incoming Links
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