Yellow Dog Linux updated to v6.1

If you use Linux on your PlayStation 3 console, you will know that Yellow Dog Linux is one of a few Operating Systems that support the console. YDL has been updated to v6.1 providing new software packages and security updates to the Operating System. One of the most siginificant addition to the update is the use of the PS3 Video RAM. YDL now uses the 256MB of VRAM as main memory for temporary file storage and swap space. The update also updates the kernel, the Cell SDK, and Wireless configurations, among other changes.

The new version is currently available to YDL Enhanced Members only, but you can expect general public release in a few weeks time.

Changelog:

Kernel 2.6.27
GCC 4.1.2
Cell SDK 3.1
Firefox 3.0
OpenOffice 2.3 (v3.0 coming to YDL.net Enhanced soon!)
X.org 1.4.999 with xrandr 1.2.2
Dramatically improved, automated wireless config.
GUI configuration tool for YDL.net.
Bluetooth support for the PS3 Sixaxis controller.
Barcelona Supercomputing Center CellSs.
ps3vram for fast, temp file storage or swap using PS3 video RAM.

Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 for PS3 released

Terra Soft have released the latest version of Yellow Dog Linux for the PlayStation 3 and Power PC (PPC) systems. Built upon the CentOS foundation, a popular derivative of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 offers enterprise quality for the home user and comes with select components from Fedora Core 7. YDL 6.0 comes with E17 and Gnome installed by default (KDE included), includes the Linux Kernel v2.6.23 and is the only Linux distribution that includes the default Cell SDK v3.0 as standard.

The YDL installer enables anyone to install Linux. Post-install, the default application set includes the Firefox web browser, Thunderbird email client, Pidgin IM/IRC client, Ekiga Voice over IP phone application, OpenOffice, gThumb and GIMP, RythmBox Music Player, games, multimedia applications, and a suite of personal accessories. Development and server tools are available from the custom installation menus.

"We remain proud to provide the finest Linux OS for Power experience, and it just keeps getting better. Many thanks to Red Hat, the open source community and CentOS team, IBM and Sony for making YDL v6.0 possible. Enjoy!" says Kai Staats, Terra Soft CEO.

Yellow Dog Linux v6.0 is immediately available via YDL.net Enhanced accounts which may be purchased at the Terra Soft Store. The physical DVD sets will ship from Terra Soft in 2 weeks. The public mirrors will offer v6.0 downloads in one month

How to fix broken boot-game-os in Yellow Dog Linux

On some versions of Yellow Dog Linux (for PS3), the “boot-game-os” command line gives you an error similar to “/sbin/other-os-flash-util: No such file or directory”, which prevents you from getting back to the PS3 XMB. Below is a simple, step-by-step guide on how to fix the error.

Yellow Dog Linux PS3 Installation

Yellow Dog Linux is one of several Linux distributions compatible with the PlayStation, however, YDL 5.0 also happens to be one of the best. Other distributions include Fedora Core and Ubuntu, but YDL offers greater compatibility than the rest. Installing YDL is simple as well, follow the instructions below:

Requirements

Before installing YDL, there a few things that you will need:

YDL 5.0 (or above) on DVD (PS3 Version)
Keyboard/Mouse
HD TV capable of supporting 720p display

Pre-Installation

Before you can begin to install YDL, your PS3 system needs to be setup. There are three steps that need to be preformed before you can begin installation: Partitioning the hard disk, Installing the OtherOS loader and changing the default boot setting. Each stage is broken down.

Partitioning

Backup any data on the PS3 before continuing. This can be done from:
Settings > System Settings > Backup Utility > “Back Up”.
After backing up data, select the “Format Utility” from the “System Settings” menu
Select the “Format Hard Disk” option and select “Yes” for Disk Format.
Select “Yes” on the “Are you sure…” screen
Select the “Custom” format option and then select the “Allot 10GB to the Other OS” option.
The disk will then start to format.
- Select “Quick Format” if you want to format the drive quickly. Some of the deleted data may be recoverable.
- Select “Full Format” to remove all data permanently. Use this option of you have sensitive data on the hard drive.
- Do not turn off the system during for formatting – your system software could be destroyed.
Once formatting is complete, press “X” to restart the system.

Install Other OS

Insert the YDL DVD into the PS3.
You can install the otheros from the settings menu by going to:
Settings > System Settings > “Install Other OS”
The PS3 should find the required file on the YDL DVD.
Select “OK” to install the files
- You may be prompted to connect the USB cable to the Controller
- A licence Agreement may be displayed. Click “Accept” to continue with installation
Once the installation is complete, exit from the “Install Other OS” screen.

Set the Default Boot to Other OS

Before changing the default boot setting, it is important that you are using a HDTV supporting 720i resolution, since YDL uses 720i. Please also make sure that the YDL DVD is inserted into the PS3 since it will be needed when you reboot the PS3.

From the Settings Menu, go to the “Default System” option.
Set the “Default System” to “Other OS” and click “OK” to boot into the Other OS.

Installing Linux

If the Other OS files were installed correctly, you should see a bunch of text appear on the screen. This means that everything is working. YDL should start installing soon after and the process is relatively simple. YDL uses a graphical interface to install Linux onto your PS3, so all you need to do is follow the instructions. The installation process takes over an hour. Once YDL has been installed, the disc should automatically eject and all you need to do then is to reboot into Linux.

Screenshots