Linux Bootloader AsbestOS Running On PS3 3.41 Under GameOS

by Mike Bendel on October 20, 2010 @ 1:08 pm


Marcan of Team Twiizers fame has delivered on his promise to deliver a fully-functional, open-source Linux solution for those on firmware 3.41. Bare in mind, it’s still in the preliminary stages, meaning it’s not quite ready for the average end-user yet. The implementation calls for a programmable USB device capable of storing at least 40KB or so to house the loader. Devices like the Teensy++ and TI-84+ will get the job done.

Unlike Sony’s heavily-restricted OtherOS, the AsbestOS payload completely takes over the GameOS operational mode through a string of RAM patches, granting access to a seventh SPE (provided a kernel patch is applied). Additionally, Marcan notes that leveraging the PS3′s RSX GPU is now technically feasible, however, further research is required before it’s usable.

You can check out a video clip of AsbestOS running a Linux distro — Gentoo in this case — above. For those daring enough, Marcan has shared tips on how to set this up over on his blog. Just keep in mind it’s not intended for the masses yet. A less crude approach will come in time.

AsbestOS: Running Linux as GameOS [Marcan's Blog]

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Read moreWii Hacking Guru Teases PS3 Linux Bootloader, Return of OtherOS On 3.21+?PSFreedom Backported To PS3 Firmware 3.01, 3.15PS3 GameOS Homebrew: PongPS3 Homebrew: DoomPS3 GameOS Homebrew: SNES9X Emulator

Comments
MenaceInc says:

Interesting...unlocking an extra SPU? Wonder if that would result in a useful performance boost for the individuals and organisations who used PS3 clusters for research, etc.

Nader says:

And not to mention the RSX. However using computers for the same purpose may be surpassing the PS3 solutions in price/performance right about now.

KezraPlanes says:

The one thing that makes Linux on PS3 virtually useless is the PPC architecture of the damn thing, little software is compatible (maybe base software and maybe software in which devs like to include x86, x64 and PPC), that was my main gripe when I used it.

Supercomputing however is a different beef altogether. In which case the unlocking of one more CPU is a blessing

Lachrymose says:

This is great! I'm really excited for whats to come.

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