Set up your PS3 to run Linux

You have to format your PS3 harddrive to install Ubuntu. You will probably want to backup your savegames! You will also need to let go of some 10GB of disk space.

What you need

• An Ubuntu version for the PS3 burned on a CD. For information on how to burn iso files to a cd, see this page∞.
• A USB keyboard and mouse. Wireless and bluetooth input devices should work fine (with a dongle).
• A USB stick or external hard disk (if you want to backup files and saved games on your PS3).

Formatting the PS3 hard disk

The first thing you need to do is to format the PS3s hard disk to make room for a second operating system (called Other OS). Your user profiles and account information will remain on the XMB, but remember to back up any saved games or media files you want to restore after formatting the PS3 using a USB stick or an external hard disk. Your game saves are located under Game > Saved Data Utility.

All downloaded games you paid for can be downloaded again without having to pay for them. They'll be in your account history in the PS Store.

• Go to [System Settings] > [Format Utility].
• Select "Format Hard Disk" and click [Yes].
• Choose [Custom] and [Allot 10GB to the Other OS].
• Select [Quick Format] and confirm with [Yes].

Formatting will take a few seconds. Press X to restart the system.

Log in (you need to hit the PS button on your controller if it's deactivated after restart).

Installing Other OS

Installing the other OS is what it all about, You can choose the command line style loader included with the cd image you downloaded, but you can also download a custom loader called "petitboot", I strongly recommend to use petitboot, as it makes it easier to switch between different resolutions or "kernels".
You can find petitboot here∞
If you are installing xUbuntu 9.10, download the latest Petitboot from here∞ in order to avoid boot failure (see "Version 9.10 can't mount root filesystem" in Troubleshooting∞)

For Petitboot:

• Download "otheros.bld"
• Copy it to your usb stick or external harddrive in the folder; /PS3/otheros/
• Connect your mouse and keyboard
• stick it in your PS3
• Go to [System Settings] > [Install Other OS].
• Select "Other OS" and hit "Yes" to restart the system.

For the stock loader

• Insert the disk you burned into the PS3. And connect the keyboard and mouse.
• Go to [System Settings] > [Install Other OS].
• Select "Other OS" and hit "Yes" to restart the system.

Updating your console

The last thing you will have to do is updating the PS3, I think you have done that before, but just in case you dont know:
Go to: [Settings > System Update > Update via Internet]
When there is an update available the PS3 will ask you to install it.