QJ.NET | iPhone | MMORPG | Nintendo DS | Wii | PlayStation 3 | PSP | Xbox 360 | Downloads | QJ.NET Forums

How to install another OS on your PS3!

Posted Nov 11, 2006 at 01:09PM by Max F. Listed in: News Tags: Sony
Ó

good newsWho'll get the last laugh now? They said the PS3 sucks, is late, is too expensive, isn't worth it, isn't a bargain. Well, look at it now! It's shaping up to be something worth its weight in news.

It only takes four easy steps to install another system software on the hard disk of your PS3. Yeah, you heard us right! Not only can you swap 2.5" SATA HDD, you can change the operating system (OS) software. Of course, you need compatible third-party software: but we're still waiting for more details on that (www.playstation.com just says "details will be posted soon").

But, just so you know, here's how you'd do it:

  • Do not turn off the PS3 system or remove the disc or storage media during installation. Doing so may cause damage to the system software.
  • During installation, the power button on the system front is inactive. [We're guessing this means: In other words, don't panic, and don't get confused. Your system is on and busy - don't turn it off!!!!!]
  1. Insert the disc or storage media that contains the installer in the system.
  2. Select (System Settings) under (Settings) in the home menu.
  3. Select [Install Other OS]. The system searches for the installer. When the installer is found, its content and location will be displayed.
  4. Check the content of the installer, and then select [OK]. The installer starts. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
Sony even offers hints. Wow! It's like they want us to try different OS! They keep showing how gamer-centric they are.
  • To start the newly installed system software, go to (Settings) > (System Settings) > [Default System], and then select [Other OS] to restart the system.
  • An appropriate USB adaptor (not included) is required to use storage media with some models.
Now go and spread the word. Not only can its firmware support homebrew, its OS can be changed. Wow. The PS3 is looking better every passing news day.

View: [PS3 Forums]

[Via PlayStation 3 User's Guide] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

Bookmark / Find this article on:

14 Jumps     Sony patent shows everyday objects used with motion control system
12 Jumps     Koei Tecmo CEO politely urges Sony to cut PS3 price
8 Jumps     Tattooed for the love of Killzone (and free PS3 and HDTV)
8 Jumps     New Best Buy PS3 bundle to come with MGS4, Killzone 2
6 Jumps     Media Molecule teaser hints at Ghostbusters content for LittleBigPlane..
4 Jumps     Telltale Games: We're not ready for the PS3... yet
4 Jumps     Activision plays the 'tremendous value' card to justify DJ Hero pricin..
4 Jumps     Japan getting Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 pre-order pack, Premium Box
4 Jumps     Gearbox's Mikey Neumann talks about Borderlands demo, DLC
4 Jumps     Video: Dante's Inferno resurfaces with gameplay trailer

80 Comments


Sort by:
   by glen (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » ha
woo hoo the ps3 ownz.

PS3 FTW!!!11!!!!1!!!1!!!!!!1


   Re: greg2m - 2006-11-11
 » Gyaaaaddamn!
That's just sick!! Boldest move I've seen! Yet most dangerous! Hopefully PS3 will react to that move more like "MAC" than "PC"...
   by highps3 - 2006-11-11
 » Next Gen
Wow this is really cool and im sure some modders out there are drooling... :)

   by iceatcs - 2006-11-11
 » Vista is coming :)
Hmm, so is it might be possible to have OX, Vista and Linux all in one?

F**king huge awasome!

   by insider (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » nice.
linux? windows?? mac os x???

:D

   by onQ (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » PS3 is a PC
nanananananananananannanan to all that said that it wouldn't be a computer


   Re: Kenet (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » No it is nor The Computer
PS3 is a powerfull console that can be used as a computer, What is wrong in that. You got Hi-End gaming mashine and PC... for me its Awsome... But Its Console First....................... then PC

   Re: paperclip (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » I wonder if MOL will work if the cell has enough in common with PPC
http://www.maconlinux.org/
I was wondering if we can run OSX with linux ;)
   by Advertising -
   by Nerd - 2006-11-11
 » .
The announced OS is Yellow Dog Linux v5.0. that's the only compatible OS that has been announced, however, the future may bring more :)


   Re: meh.. (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » yeah you're right
yeah that is true, but I'm sure some lucky Japanese hackers are already working on a port of Windows/Mac
   by GHenrik - 2006-11-11
 » Sony goes all out.
To beat wii and xbox 360, sony goes all out. After the PSP, sony knows what the fanboys want!!

   by highps3 - 2006-11-11
 » ...
Very cool and you know i want to see some modders load Windows Vista on a Ps3...

Live Anywhere on a ps3? lol ...


   Re: LAballa3 - 2006-11-11
 » vista
now that would be awesome
id be sooo happy
   by Turbo Bastard '99 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Okay then . . .
Yeah, what were you XBox 360 fan boys where saying now . . .

   by d3crypt3r (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » ?
so can the ps3 dual boot the OS's or if you install another one will you not have the original Sony OS on it?


   Re: Ed (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Yes It can dual boot OS's
Yes, by pressing the PS button ( as they call it for now ) you'll be booting up ur other os
   by The voice of reason? (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Still
Why would you want to? Why? What good would it accomplish?


   Re: Advertising -


   Re: LAballa3 - 2006-11-11
 » ..
wow...just wow....thats like like why have a computer

   Re: PS3Rider (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » what!
What do you mean why! Because if you can have different os, then you can install things that only run on a computer on to your ps3. Such as mozilla, msn live, windows media player and more!

   Re: pythn2005 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » idiot
dude if you really thing your the voice of reason your an idiot god i hate jealous people some good it could acomplish is some homebrew that could be distributed freely instead of gay microtransations on live which trys its hardest to take all of your money

   Re: BigSimms (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » Imagine the possibilities...
http://benheck.com/Games/Xbox360/x360_page_5.htm

Check this link out and then tell me you are not interested.
   by nefarious (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » CPU
The Cell is a PowerPC chip lads. OS X "may" work, but not Windows without emulation.

   by CeCiL (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Wow...
Looks like PS3 owners are having the last laugh now...

hahaha

   by babyg (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » wow
xbox360 = pwned

wii = pwned


ps3 = winner................... all in all all of the counsles have there advantages.....the 360 messed up with its storage device...... it bottlenecked its good hardware with lousy storage.......... thats like haveing two sli geforce 8800gtx's both running in pci slots........... it doesnt matter because your system has to be well rounded....

   by Mleep (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » wow
Yeah all of a sudden the Xbox fanboys went quiet. Could it be because the PS3 is selling at 600? Or that the demand alone for the PS3 is enough to outsell the X360 in a single day, two-three times over, if there were enough units available?

How's that for failing?
The Xbox 360 is selling worse than the original Xbox, while the PS3 has an 'insane' demand. They sell for $2000-$3000 a pop on eBay, and one even went for 9000 dollars.

Oh yeah, Sony really screwed themselves with the price. Sony fails, It's all over!

I LOL'd at you then, and I LOL at you now.

And this is pure awesome. Switching OS just like that. It truly is like a PC in addition to a game console. Imagine having Vista on there. =p


   Re: CeCiL (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » exactly right...
You have a point there mate.... Sony absolutely owned everyone - me included ... that's the best news since the PS3 was announced..

BUT! I will not put the xbox 360 down - great console and some great upcoming games... i WILL however put those good for nothing fanboys down coz they have no idea what they are missing... fair enough you can't afford more than one but theres no need to get all offensive about it.

Speaking of Fanboy... The Wii sucks balls - had a mess around with it - it's better on paper. But hey... PS3 and 360 is all one needs.


----

I wonder, if the PS3 can run say... OS X, Vista ... i wonder if it can play the games and run the software associated with the OS ... IF it does... say goodbye to the PC market.. .lol!

   Re: Gamez (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Hmmm
>"I wonder, if the PS3 can run say... OS X, Vista ... i wonder if it can play the games and run the software associated with the OS ... IF it does... say goodbye to the PC market.. .lol!"

The PC and Mac have nothing to worry about.

It's one thing to run an OS desgined to make GOOD use of the hardware (i.e. Yellow Dog Linux), but to hack or emulate another OS will only be good for bragging rights ("Hey look, we've got XP working"), but in terms of performance, it would be bad to the point of being worthless.

I've always considered the PS3 will be a first class console but a second rate computer, and I've seen nothing so far to change my mind. :|

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: ENFORCER (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » ????? OWNED? THINK AGAIN
TRUE U CAN INSTALL ANOTHER OS.......WAIT THATS 300 USDMORE FOR MS XP, OR 1000 USD FOR OSX WAT EVER...REMEMBER NOT EVERYONE OWNS A WIN XP DISC (IM SURE RECOVERY DISCS WONT WORK)
PLUS THE 600 DOLLARS FOR THE PS3....... YEAH U CAN SAY THERE IS LINUX...BUT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS HOW TO USE LINUX.
AND FOR U MY FRIEND, SADLY VISTA WONT BE RUNNING ON PS3 (UNLESS IT LAGS) DUE THE FACT THAT EVEN A PC DESIGNED FOR VISTA NEEDS AT LEAST 1GB (512 ACTUALLY.BUT ILL LOOK CRAPPY BUT BETTER THAN PS3)OF RAM WHICH PS3 DONT HAVE AND FOR PS3 TO MAKE USE OF THE AMAZING GRAPHICS USED BY VISTA IT NEEDS A VIDEO CARD MAKEOVER. HO CARES WHATS THE PRICE IT WAS SOLD ON EBAY....ITS NOT LIKE IF U BOUGHT IT...PROBABLY IT WAS THE SELLERR WHO BID ON IT MAD TIMES ON IT... LOL
BESIDES WINDOWS AND MAC CANT BE INSTALLED NATIVELY....WHICH MEANS ULL HAVE TO WAIT FOR A HACK OR BE STUCK WITH YELLOW DOG LINUX v5.0....HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA SO NO IT AITN TRUE YET

   Re: Regime2008 - 2006-11-29
 » ...dude ur gay
360's launch was outrageous.....n in reality it sold its console for higher prices than wat u mentioned on ebay....so go suk ur granny's dik
   by OMG (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » WOW 360 is screwed!!
HOLY!!!!!!!!! SH!!!!!! OMFG I cant believe this, Hopefully all we need now is being able to run pc games from within the OS.... This will be the cheapest computer to date with a high end graphic card that cost around $499 alone.. wow the Cpu alone will probably cost people aroun d 600 dollars if it was to put on a PC. Ps3 is the cheapest console on earth!!!


   Re: Gamez (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » *Roll eyes*
Why are you so shocked? This is OLD news, what is new is HOW it's been implemented, not the fact that you can run another OS on the PS3.

And why is the 360 screwed? It's a games console, not a computer.

   Re: [BOT] Bob - 2006-11-11
 » Actually
Some PC games have a linux installer right on the disc, and even run better on linux, assuming it was coded for openGL(which it probably was if it has a linux installer) and you have an Nvidia(ATI has bad linux driver support). Oh and the game/s I'm talking about is/are UT2K3/4, oh and hopefully 7. That would be freaking sweet to take a PS3 to a LAN and people are like "you're dumb" then you own them at UT2K7-on-Linux-on-PS3.

   Re: Gamez (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » Except...
...[BOT] Bob, they are still running on a PC with an x86 based CPU from either Intel of AMD.

Cell is not, it's PowerPC based, therefore x86 code will need to be emulated, and this is an area where floating-point power is of little use. A 'Virtual PC' (like that seen on the previous PowerPC based Macs) is fine for running applications, but it's not going to run PC games well on the PS3, especially with just 256MB main memory.
   by skidz - 2006-11-11
 » hmm
This is very interesting. Looks like Sony know what they are doing. Very smart move imo. In the long run if MS cant compete with this, its going to hurt them. :p

   by Steve (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Good for us bad for Sony ?
This is a great move for us the consumer but Sony could shoot themselves in the foot here. They loose money on every console they sell and If people start buying the PS3 just to run linux & linux apps etc it could cost them.


   Re: Razgoull (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Not really!!!!
Because those peoples will realize that they have a gaming machine to.

PS:First I want to be clear, I'm not a fanboy! I have a x360 and a PS3 nov.17. But I just came form the Arcadia festival in Montreal (I live there) and It sucks real bad.

--First Sony was not there. No PSP-PS2-PS3.
--The big Hype was about Nintendo Wii. And lots of peoples was disappointed including myself. The BIG problem are the controller. You can't control lots of things in same time like a conventional controller. Buttons are missing and you can play all the games with little movement with your wrist. Not like Nintendo Ads ( with simulating movement). The worst is Wii-Sport, you only control one thing (the raquette, the bat, the punch gloves etc)You can't move the character! Zelda are the same thing in the GameCube. You got to have both side by side to see a little differences. Exci-Truck was the coolest but it get boring to quick. I think the hype for the Wii will be down real fast. You have to play it to see it's a Gamecube for 250$.

Ok! now the X360 as the good games. Call of duty 3 are F***king GOOD! I think I'll buy it for PS3. The Graphic for Gears of war was over the top! But the gameplay is medium and the way you control your character suck. Most of the action moves are on the A button, so when there is an enemy and you are close to a wall, the character don't always do the good action. So you got kill. It still good but i really don't think it deserve a 9/10.

So PS3 I waiting for you NOW!
   by phrax (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Vista, Mac OS?
I hope everybody appreciates how impossibly difficult it would be for a hacker of any ability to get OS X or Windows of any flavour running on the PS3.

Windows is specifically designed to run on x86 architecture. OS X will similarly only run on x86 and IBM G5 chips. The operating systems have been designed from the ground up with these architectures in mind, and significant portions of the millions of lines of code developed specifically to run only on those chips.

For example, this is why until very recently, Mac OS could not be run on a PC of any description.

The Cell Chip in the PS3 is completely and utterly unlike anything Mac OS or Windows has ever run on before. Even though the PS3 can 'run other OSs', the reality of the matter is that that OS must be developed and compiled for that system.

There are only two ways Windows or Mac OS X will ever run on the PS3. Either Microsoft/Apple redevelop the code for the console - very highly unlikely. Or through emulation in Yellow Dog Linux where, again, due to the difference in chip architecture, would run god awfully slow.

Sorry guys, but Linux will be the only OS available to the PS3. Further, Yellow Dog will probably be all thats available for quite a long time.

:( No console PC gaming.


   Re: atad6 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » it's not out of the question
both the IBM G5 chips and the new cell processors are based on the power pc architecture. yellow dog linux has been the primary linux distro for ppc for some time. so it's not out of the question that osx could run natively on the ps3.

   Re: Russ (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Highly Unlikely?
Why wouldnt apple/microsoft want PS3 to run their OS? (more specifically MS, as they do not make hardware) Wouldnt that just bring more people, maybe even a larger marketshare over to their side??

   Re: Tyrell (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » russ your wrong
maybe...microsoft make XBOX 360 thats why they wouldn't want ps3 runnin windows imagine what would happen. xbox 360 would look like ***** compared to a console that can run windows xp/vista. Microsoft would kill it's own console
   by jjj (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » phrax
Thanks for clearing that up :)

   by GamefreQ (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » hmm
So if you install another OS can you return to the default XMB and play PS3 games?

   by mike (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » right
See this is why we have computers... to do web browsing and such......... consoles are for playing games right?


   Re: methy_ (Unregistered) - 2006-11-23
 » right... ? wrong!
PS3 will have online capabilities allowing u to chat to your mates on your friends list, even whilst playing a game, and u can browse the web like u normally cud on a PC....
u can add ur photos and music as well... so really, who needs a PC? sure they have their use but not in this area, gaming media and entertainment is where PS3 will thrive
   by cdbob (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » More Ram?!?!/
One of the things that really limits it though as a computer as the Ram if you could upgrade to say 4 GB and 1 GB video then were talking computer plus maybe a 750 GB HDD

   by BOOB (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » This is STUPID
How many of you own a PSP? Sony has been screwing everyone who wants to run homebrew on that for as long as it has been available. Do you really think sony will let you be able to run homebrew on the PS3? Also there is no way you could run Vista or any windows software on the cel processor (except possibly thru emulation - which would suck anyway) - it is power pc based. To all of you sony fan boys, if you don't have a xbox360 you don't know what you are talking about, All of the games this generation will be the same as last generation with graphics as good as the lesser system (xbox ports were not as good as they could be due to the fact that the games were produced for the PS2 as well).
Kinda tired of the whole Sony vs Microsoft pissing contest anyway.

   by OoZic (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » fun
ehhh......How about AmigaOS 4?? now that would be really fun :-) LOL

It is not the OS what makes a computer/console great, it is all about the user (ok, and about the software witch can be run on the OS)

   by ps3 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » OS's
This says it looks for an "installer". this obviously means that the OS must have a signiture or something by sony. Windows would only work if they put this "installer" in their programs.

   by justin (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » p3mc
playstation3 media center!!!!!!! P3mc!!!!!

   by Vietone - 2006-11-11
 » Linux
Linux is one of the best OS you can possibly have.

With the relationship of Novell and Microsoft, its only a matter of time before Microsoft makes its software more Linux Friendly.

Also the cell processor is a number cruncher, meaning its better for applications. There are more then enough open source applications for linux that justify its usage in the PS3.

Fact being homebrew on the Xbox360 will never have the potential of the PS3. Get use to it, if it works on linux, it works on the PS3.


   Re: Gamez (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » And do you have only Linux on your PC?
Yes the Cell processor is a great number cruncher (because of the SPU cores), but that doesn't mean it's better for applications, it means it's better for applications where number crunching is important, such as mp3/mpeg encoding/decoding, physics simultations, graphics processing etc.

For general purpose applications, the CPU in the 360 is actually a better processor (with 3x 3.2Ghz cores for running code compared to 1 3.2Ghz core in Cell).

>"Fact being homebrew on the Xbox360 will never have the potential of the PS3. Get use to it, if it works on linux, it works on the PS3."

Potential for doing what exactly? No matter how much you want to spin it, these are actually GAMES consoles we're talking about, and all other functions beyond that are just welcome extras.

Besides, on WWW.GAMESPOT.COM, 47 minutes into their 'On The Spot' show (Nov 11th 2006), there's an incredible example of a 'homebrew' racing game produced for the 360 by some guy using XNA on the PC. This is the kind of potential I'm interested in for a GAMES console (since I'm also a programmer).

On a side note, 'On The Spot' was a great show this week, and also features Ted Price demonstrating Resistance, NVidia's latest card, Red Steel for the Wii, GoW multiplay and much more. So it's well worth watching. :)

Oh and, if it works on Linux doesn't mean it will work on the PS3, since it will need to be recompiled first for the Cell processer. No doubt this will happen for numerous applications over time, but just pointing out that it's not automatic.

   Re: Annie Body (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » VERY impressive Gamez
I haven't watched the whole show, but I've watched the part about XNA, and I have to admit, it is very promising and does offer great potential for those interested in creating their own games on the 360 or even getting a job in the games industry as programmers and designers.

I'm watching the rest of that show now.

Thanks.

   Re: Hentai_Jeff (Unregistered) - 2006-11-16
 » to Gamez
actually with Cedega Linux can do near everything windows can do, I personaly use only linux on my PC and I couldn't be happier. I don't want to kick my computer every 2 hours like I did when I used windows, just every other week now.
   by g (Unregistered) - 2006-11-11
 » Hmm
I don't know...

They could be blowing this whole thing out of proportion.

And besides, who the hell would want to install bug ***** windows so they can look at it on their TV?

   by ps3crazy - 2006-11-11
 » XBOX=LOSERS
SCREW U XBOX OWNERS!! LAUGHING AT ME FOR WANTING A PS3 AND SAYING ITS A WASTE OF MONEY! THE ONLY OS U CAN HAVE IS MICROSOFTS!! HAHAHA SCREW U BILL GATES. LINUX TIME TO RULE!


   Re: Fanbois + r tards (Unregistered) - 2006-11-12
 » Morons
WTF are you guys out of your minds?

A) A *****ing console is for GAMES NOT OTHER CRAP.
B) There GRAPHIC Cards are NOT geared towards PC games so there goes that theory of being able to use the AwEsome Power of the ps3 for the games, talk about a bottle neck if you try to run it based off of the CPU itself. The RAM is *****
C) You ***** tards will end up just running Windows on your PS3 ANyway. SO in the end MS still wins.

And for the record i dont own a *****ing XBOX or plan on owning a $600 space heater. Ill wait until the prices go down.


Contact
The QJ.net Network RSS Feeds
QJ Forums
PC Gaming
Sony PSP
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Nintendo DS
Nintendo Wii
Blog of Blogs Feed / PDA
QJ.NET RSS / PDA
Gaming Consoles Feed / PDA
Nintendo DS RSS / PDA
PlayStation 3 RSS / PDA
PSP Updates RSS / PDA
Wii RSS / PDA
Xbox 360 RSS / PDA
PC Gaming Feed / PDA
MMORPG RSS / PDA
Personal Computer Games RSS / PDA
World of Warcraft RSS / PDA
Technology Feed / PDA
Apple RSS / PDA
iPhone - iPod Touch RSS / PDA
Add QJ.NET
Add to My Yahoo!
Google Reader Subscribe with Bloglines
Add to your Kinja digest Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Add 'www.qj.net' to Newsburst from CNET News.com
Subscribe with SearchFox RSS del.icio.us www.qj.net
Add to Technorati Favorite! Add to My AOL
furl! it Stumble for Treehugger!
User Favorites - July
Most Commented
(58)
(52)
(50)
(48)
(47)
(41)
(32)
(28)
(28)
(27)
(26)
(25)
(24)
(24)
(23)
(22)
(21)
(21)
(21)
(20)
User Favorites - July
Top Jumps
PS3 can be used to read x-r.. (62)
Megan Fox talks Transformer.. (51)
Sony cracking the Graphics .. (44)
Tetsuya Nomura on Kingdom H.. (42)
Sony patent shows everyday .. (39)
Pachter: 31% of worldwide s.. (36)
Koei Tecmo CEO politely urg.. (28)
Damnation dev team damned, .. (28)
SOCOM: Confrontation DLC pa.. (25)
Resident Evil: Afterlife to.. (25)
Square Enix sues French ret.. (25)
Namco Bandai snaps up Drago.. (25)
More downloadable Capcom ga.. (24)
Ratchet & Clank Future: A C.. (24)
Bankruptcy judge okays Warn.. (24)
Eyes needed: for three Ninj.. (24)
PlayStation Japan puts GTA .. (24)
Joining the teaser: a boy a.. (23)
24 million installed base f.. (23)
Green light back on: Jack T.. (23)
Analyst: 2 more GTA IV DLC .. (22)
NPD: Gaming woos the ladies.. (22)
PSN US - PlayStation Store .. (21)
Half-Blood Prince video gam.. (20)
Logitech G27 accidentally c.. (20)

 Username: 
 Password:
Forgot password
New user registration



Categories

Titles
Archives


Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the TERMS & CONDITIONS and PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2006, Content Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Version. 1.31