Yellow Dog Linux now supports wi-fi on the PS3

by Colin Torretta { May 3rd 2007 at 7:30PM }

Woot! Finally! Terrasoft announced this week that they've released a new version of Yellow Dog Linux for the PS3, and this version includes support for wi-fi and fixes some USB printer issues. I'm pretty stoked about this; the lack of wi-fi support is why I wiped the Linux partition off my PS3. Now that I don't have to string a 40' Cat 5 cable across my apartment, I may have to try YDL out again.

Any other Linux PS3 guys out there?

Tags: linux, terrasoft, YDL, yellow dog linux, YellowDogLinux

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

thatpspkid @ May 3rd 2007 8:33PM

do i have to format(delete everything) my drive to install linux, or can i create a partition with whatever space left?

Colin.Torretta @ May 3rd 2007 8:42PM

I believe it wipes both drives, but you can backup your PS3 partition using the Backup utility they include, and then restore all the date back to the 'new' PS3 partition.

This means you'll need a decent sized flash drive/USB hard drive to backup your data first, but it's better than the 360's harddrive data transfer solution...

-Colin.Torretta

Gunhead @ May 3rd 2007 8:51PM

ooh damn! If its true you need to wipe all the HDD in order to install Linux thats really bad.I already put a lot of music on it and the flash back-up its not an option anymore.Colin, I hope you're wrong. About wi-fi support: yeah thats better. All we miss now is graphic acceleration :)

Akash @ May 3rd 2007 9:05PM

You should backup your data prior to making the 10GB partition for the other os.

I installed YDL 5.0 a few days ago, piece of cake. No problems.

I installed the 5.01 update last night and the wireless works like a champ.

Check out: http://www.yellowdog-board.com/

Ubuntu is also available for the PS3. Check it out here: http://psubuntu.com

kingofwale @ May 3rd 2007 9:06PM

>ooh damn! If its true you need to wipe all the HDD in order to install Linux thats really bad

It's the same thing with installing anything in a partition. Your company can't defrag the thing well enough without having to wipe the harddrive clean completely.

I really don't know why people complain about it, just don't install it, like me. :)

thatpspkid @ May 3rd 2007 10:14PM

thanks for answering my question.
here is another :)

can i install YD linux if I only have a standard def tv, cause I think I saw somewhere that you needed an HD TV. something to do with the resolution I am guessing.

John @ May 3rd 2007 11:21PM

thatpspkid, no worries, you don't need HD... Linux will allow you to select the lowest resolution of your system (in this case choose 480i or 480p, depending), and while certain things may be hard to read, the system certainly doesn't require you to have HD.

Also, once installed, when you're surfing the 'net using Firefox you can always use the Zoom function in Firefox to make fonts bigger.

@gunhead, if you don't have options to save stuff, don't do this yet!

But how bad could it be? You can even (I think) save stuff to a Sony memory stick (originally made for their camcorders) and you can get a gig one of those for $40 at BestBuy.

Remember, you only need to save game data, the other stuff, like movie previews and game demos, you can just re-download.

And since it's the playstation network...

You can download it for FREEE!!!! Bwah ha haa hah hah haaa haa hahhhhahhh (that was hard to type)

With Linux on your ps3 you can:

Modify/Artisticize (yes I made that word up) your photos using the Gimp, like photoshop, only... FREEEEEE!

You can surf the net, obviously (yes, pr0n works)

You can write documents ala some home office thing, hook up a usb printer to your ps3 and write old-timey snail-mail letters to your grandma! (Even better if you can find a dot-matrix USB printer... or is that an oxymoron?)

You can play games made for Linux. (Which means you can also run emulators in Linux, which means you can actually play Super Mario Brothers on your PS3! With your eyes closed!)

If you can understand Linux. I certainly don't.

Still, I get enough working to have fun.

While Linux has somewhat of a um... "learning curve"... it's like a great RPG. Once you understand it, it all makes sense, and you suddenly see how superior it is and wonder why you were playing that Atari 2600 dragon game all these years...

F-Man @ May 3rd 2007 11:23PM

@ #6

Yes it is possible although not preferable, as you will get a resolution even lower than 480i. Use the installtext option when installing Linux and then run it under ydltext. From that point, follow these instructions to switch to graphical mode:
http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/support/solutions/ydl_5.0/video-3-to-5.shtml

RomeoNeedsaJuliet;) @ May 4th 2007 3:40AM

Im wondering if you can be able to have 1080p or 1080i running on your Ubuntu PS3?

Also, will the Ubuntu OS suppurt WIFI? If so drop me a link.

Another question just for my corosity: Can i be able to run full blown Linux games on the PS3 Ubuntu or other YDL or other?

Romeo_needs_a_Juliet:)

ck @ May 4th 2007 8:40AM

If you're stuck for USB storage to back up to, use an iPod.

If I need portable HDD space in a hurry I just format my iPod and then sync everything back up overnight when I'm done.

P.S. you can also play tunes straight off one if you hit triangle and browse to the tracks. Sorry if that's obvious - I didn't realise it at first.