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Linux on the Playstation 2

A source (who asked to remain anonymous, but is reliable) claims to have seen a Linux Port to the Playstation 2. He also saw a PS2 running X and KDE on the machine, running on the MIPS processor w/ 32 Megs of RAM. Unfortunately the information that is available is all written in Japanese. It would be sweet if Sony would make a free image available so people could boot Linux. If not, maybe someone else is up to the task? My PS2 is currently in Toledo (after taking what seemed like an eternity in Memphis). Damn fedex: I need to play Star Wars Starfighter and DOA2! If I boot Linux, can I count it as a business expense?

38 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Re:You can still read it by cetan · · Score: 3

    I couldn't resist this...

    From the translation (Japanese to English) comes the following phrase:

    "...with also tomorrow you try the Linux for the PS2 it can put out..."

    Wow linux on the ps2 and it puts out?! Sign me up baby :)

    --
    In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
  2. Not quite so... by morpheus_ · · Score: 2

    Since console makers traditionally lose money on the console itself to position it in as many homes as possible, and then make money off the licensing fees they get from game designers, it's (almost) always a good deal to hack consoles. You get a very, very cheap mp3 station/vcd player/whatever. That's why I can't wait for the Xbox, and somebody hacking it. A 733Mhz processor with an NV20 chip for under $300? Count me in! I won't buy any games, but as soon as somebody runs linux on that damned thing, it's gonna rock!

  3. Re:Japanese Translation by BJH · · Score: 2

    OK, basically what it says is someone on the pslinux mailing list named "Ogochan" (who's almost certainly Ogoshi Masami, the head of the Japan Linux Association, spoke with SCE's president and was told that if SCE decided to distribute Linux for the PS2, they could do it tomorrow (i.e., immediately - so it's definitely running).
    One thing that bothers me is that Sony is distributing the Linux-based development environment only to licensed developers (which is not a problem in itself, as long as they give the developers the source - have they?), but none of the developers have re-distributed the source themselves, which would seem to indicate that Sony has placed legal restrictions on them - a definite breach of the GPL.

  4. CmdrTaco's PS2 by brad3378 · · Score: 2


    &gt My PS2 is currently in Toledo (after taking what seemed like an enternity in Memphis). Damn fedex

    It may not be in Memphis. Some FedEx employee is probably stranded on a island with it. (think Tom Hanks)

    --

  5. Sweet... by Calamere · · Score: 4

    maybe I can run my webserver off of my PS2.... That will save me the cost of my server...except that the my PS2 cost more than my server. Ah, shit.

  6. over the counter drugs by shunryu · · Score: 2


    Sorry to say this to all, but if you buy a Playstation your buying it for games not for PC use to run anything other than games.

    Sounds like a nice concept to be able to use Playstation as a cheap alternative to a PC, but this is more of a novelty as opposed to late breaking news of some sort. So lets trump up a scenario for /.'ers to have them conceptualize the true non geekish news here: Little Timmy saves his chore money to go out and buy Playstation so he could play Zelda or some other games. Little Timmy is an avid game afficionado who will spend some thousands of dollars throughout his life on games.

    Along come the techies with some new over the counter remedy for Timmy to be able to use his Playstation for something other than games. Does Timmy go out and get this new over the counter remedy? NO! Timmy continues playing GAMES.

    With a bombarding of what Linux or BSD will now run on popping up left and right, factorize the completeness of the story with true life experience, do you think one of the distros such as Redhat, or Slackware, will start coding installment ports taking a gamble on the notion that it can be done? How big of a market is it in reality? Just because it may make our mouths salivate at the thought, doesn't mean it will live to see the light of day.

    American Concentration Camps?!?! you be the judge.

  7. Re:You can still read it by cyber-vandal · · Score: 2

    All your bases are belong to us too.

  8. An emotion engine to render a damn console, that as to be the worst waste of hardware ever

    --
    Je t'aime Stéphanie
    1. Re:Wow by deusx · · Score: 2

      Yeah, but the cursor can really wink at you.

  9. Cheap (free) games by jm91509 · · Score: 2

    Now instead of buying a game, existing games that run on linux can be recompiled to run on ps2. Distribute the game as a bootable iso. Linux boots and loads the game. The developers don't pay sony for a licence which means that we can get cheep high quality games. Wins all round. JM

  10. Translation, courtesy TeleTranslator by wfaulk · · Score: 4
    http://www.peanuts.gr.jp/pslinux/

    The Linux which operates with the Playstatio n2

    Signature motion in order to have releasing

    - Aim 10,000 people -

    As for here, Play station 2So it operates Linux SONY computer entertainment(Sceinc. ) GPL(Part LGPLSo yes) So it is a page of signature motion in order for you to release. This As for page, freely phosphorus The ? you doing, it does not care.

    Signature of 10,000 cases (getting together truly at the point in time when?) does get together, First 1st report SCE Inc. You do. After that you think according to situation, but in the world If signature 100,000 can be gathered, you want to end with you think, It does.

    As for the one which you can approve to the gist below, the button which " signs " Please push. Gist of this signature motion

    The demand for SONY computer entertainment
    The Linux which operates at play station 2 GPLOr LGPLWith you say Please release with the license.

    2000 (Heisei 12) year March 4th, SONY computer entering ? From ? men To (or less SCEI) As for the Playstatio n2 (below P S2) which is sold, that the entering ? which is superior Men To performances and, Abundance of the software property which from the Playstation (1) is succeeded? Japan furthermore it is large in the world as the game machine for home Support is received.

    Development environment and the test system of P S2 with the Linux structure It is done, With one for development P S2 with ICE environment also Linux environment activating It was known from relatively quick time. Various software which begin the Linux and the gcc Becoming something whose reliability is high by the fact that it is an open source ?, That vis-a-vis the development early unstable hardware The P S2 development person in charge of the SCEI that you adopt was a reason which is enough, Comment It became topic.

    P when S2 you appraise, as the computer As for operational processing performance of 3 D graphics general foam/home u By comparison with the PC It is high you do not apply very, In the mass product effect which the consumer game machine has Depending, It has the cost performance which projects. For example with this especially, the distributed connected ? of 3 D graphics Client for ??, Visualization of physical model simulation, The kiosk terminal which is installed in the street corner, the for data exhibition room of the museum Terminal etc Effective utilization manner is expected with a wider use.

    Presently, the software for P S2 Only the specific development company which concludes the SCEI and various permission contracts opening It is possible, it is limited, It is difficult for the general user which does not designate the development of P S2 as the raw industry to procure Is. But, the Linux and the gcc which become base of P S2 development environment Being an open source, the Linux which is already worked with P S2 exists ? especially You must observe.

    As for the SCEI the Linux for P S2 (the open source ?? which is begun ) Concerning release, If it is something whose demand from the user is strong, examining release When it is good You think very favorablily. For the SCEI many developer ??? and the developer ??? In egg Because it becomes asset to open the gate door widely, is. Very now, potential of P S2 the ? which is 256% pulling the uninformed ? our Voice is gathered, It makes the waist lift where the SCEI is heavy is not or (^^)

    --

    Fuck 'im up, Tim! His views are invalid! -Pirate Corp$

  11. Re:Instructions: by Mastagunna · · Score: 2

    It has usb, and some games already support usb keyboard and mouse like Unreal Tournment, so if a game can work with why couldn't linux. Plus the PS2 is not a Konami product.

  12. Won't be officially supported. by interiot · · Score: 2
    It would be sweet if Sony would make a free image available so people could boot Linux.

    Sony loses money or breaks even on the hardware sold, and makes money on the games. It's in their best interest to lock you in to playing games on the hardware, so official support of this is very very unlikely.

    While also unlikely, it'd be a better bet that Microsoft would officially support XBox emulation on normal PC's (that have the hardware requirements) because they'd still be making the profit on the games.
    --

  13. Re:AOL by cyber-vandal · · Score: 2

    All AOL clients are trivial - that's the appeal.

  14. Re:Instructions: by micromoog · · Score: 3
    Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start

    Wow, you got it right! So many people stick that unnecessary B A in there. True, it works both ways, but you only need one (for Contra and LifeForce, at least).

  15. Re:This has already been said here. by Accipiter · · Score: 2
    You crackhead.

    Sony included a version of BASIC to evade that tax; They didn't port Linux.

    -- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?

    --

    -- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?
    (If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't. :P)

  16. Game selection by Fervent · · Score: 3
    Star Wars Starfighter and DOA2

    Uh, senor Taco, don't get those games. Star Wars Starfighter is like a bad TIE Fighter clone from the early 90s, and DOA2 has nothing interesting (unless you like bouncing computer-rendered breasts).

    Instead, get SSX, which continues to rock even though it's a first-generation game. Also, pick up a few classic Playstation games for $20-30. Final Fantasy IX runs like a dream on the new system with the texture smoothing turned on.

    For that matter, also pick up a Dreamcast at a rock bottom $100. There's a ton of great games out there like Sonic Adventure, NFL2K1 and Jet Grind Radio - innovative stuff. Also, a pickup a copy of Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 while you're at it. It's highly underrated. And Deus Ex.

    Ah, the joys of getting cheap used games at eBay. :)

    --

    - I don't care if they globalize against free speech. All my best free thoughts are done in my head.

  17. Re:the playstation was developed on linux by supabeast! · · Score: 2

    "Sony did developed the play station on linux."

    Acutally, the PS2 development box runs Linux. That is about all.

  18. Re:XFree on MIPS by UberLame · · Score: 2

    XFree runs on linux on one or two Indy GFX options. The Indy uses a MIPS r4k or r5k processor.

    Xfree also runs on DECStations running linux or NetBSD. Most DECstations use an R3000 processor, although R2k and R4k machines also exist. An fairly normal R3k derivative is what powers the PS1. The PS2 is powered by one fairly normal (36mhz) R3k, and 2 R3ks on steroids (running at nearly 300mhz).

    Really, XFree will run on almost any 32bit CPU. The real problem is does it support the video hardware. Both Decstations and some SGIs run linux, but only a small number of the possible video cards are supported with either.

    --
    I'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me.
  19. Someone set us up the boot disk by acb · · Score: 2

    Or, in the reported words of Saddam Hussein, all your PS2 are belong to us.

  20. Re:Oh boy - more Linux Goodness by Erasmus+Darwin · · Score: 2
    And i'll use my Linux TV to switch between showing me my PS2, Dreamcast, Palm - All of course running linux.

    You missed the obvious one -- a TiVo.

  21. Quick Translation by Aztech · · Score: 3

    I've posted a basic translation here and there's a few others available in the directory.

  22. linux on ebooks too by peter303 · · Score: 2

    In the most part specialized computer appliances
    such as ebooks, email machines, pdas, game baoxes, etc fail
    because people keep on wanting to add full OS
    functionality to them. So putting Linux-lite or
    Window-lite on these is the way to go.
    MicroSoft knows this well.

  23. This has already been said here. by VC · · Score: 2

    There was a slashdot article a few months ago that said that linux was ported to the playstation to avoid the UK's sales tax which says games consoles are taxed, but computers are not.

    1. Re:This has already been said here. by goon · · Score: 3
      linux was ported to the playstation to avoid the UK's sales tax

      • as the previous post mentioned it's yabasic. here's the links. had a play with it but you need a usb kb to do anything useful. the yabasic came on the cd install/demo disk (uk, euro and aus/nz releases only).


      • yabasic - http://www.yabasic.de/
        YabasicPS2 - http://people.a2000.nl/avanarum/YabasicPS2/index.h tml



      --
      peterrenshaw ~ Another Scrappy Startup
  24. Re:FUCK by connorbd · · Score: 2

    Samus?

    I'd like to start a rumor here and now: Samus Aran is none other than Lara Croft's older sister :-)

    ObKarmaWhoring:

    Thing about Linux on PS2 -- it's probably the best target yet for a project like this. Think about it: with USB instead of a proprietary controller bus, the PS2 suddenly gets an easy way to add a hard drive. Admittedly it's not Firewire speed (and forget booting off of it), but it seems to me that when you get right down to it by putting USB in their hardware Sony has pretty much blown the hack possibilities wide open...

    /Brian

  25. Re:FUCK by fluxrad · · Score: 2

    lest you forget: the PS2 has firewire built in as well ;-)


    FluX
    After 16 years, MTV has finally completed its deevolution into the shiny things network

    --
    "It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -David Hume
  26. Instructions: by Heutchy · · Score: 5

    Since the PS2 doesn't have a built in keyboard, modem, or ethernet, I will tell you the instructions for enterring the Linux source into it.

    Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start

    Shhh! You heard it here first!

  27. Re:pointless? by artdodge · · Score: 2
    what is the point of this? just to prove that it can be done?

    That's exactly the point of doing it. What more reason do you need? And mega kudos to IBM for the wristwatch thing!

    Not much of a hacker, are you?

  28. Re:You can still read it by arubis · · Score: 2

    Even worse, look at the trainslation Gist-in-Time does...this makes Zero Wing seem comprehensible.

    http://translate.copernic.com:8090/?AlisUI=frames_ ex/gen_toolbar&AlisSourceLang=ja&AlisTargetLang=en &AlisUILang=en&AlisTargetURI=http%3A//www.peanuts. gr.jp/pslinux/beginnings.html

    All your Linux are belong to Sony.

  29. Re:what a selling point by grahamsz · · Score: 3

    Sony dont want to sell the device!!!

    PS2's cost them money - games and development licenses make them money

    See the connection :)

  30. Re:So its on there - now what? by Erasmus+Darwin · · Score: 2
    what would you be able to do that would make a large number of people want to run Linux?

    You'll get the same answer I used in the "Dreamcast running Linux" thread, namely you can theoretically use Linux as a means of developing and running your own games.

    Much like the argument people were making about targetting Windows and doing a minimal effort X-box port (yes, I'm aware it does require some effort and that supposedly MS will demand that the X-box version has added stuff), you could theoretically do the same with Linux, Dreamcast, and Playstation 2.

    Anyone wanna place bets on how long until someone manages to get Tux Racer up and running on the PS2? It may be a ways off, but it'd still be a neat goal.

    The only downside is that I'd (presumably) have to go through the trouble of mod-chipping my PS2. I'm not sure I want to invalidate the warranty just yet.

  31. Quick translation of top conversation by Panther+Cat · · Score: 2
    Here's a quick 'n dirty translation of the top half of that Japanese page. It's a conversation snippet between a person named Ogo-chan and a department head (Hisada? Kuda?) at SCE Inc.

    Ogo-chan: "PS2 games aren't interesting. I've got a PS2, but I don't play anything but PS games [on it]."

    SCE dept. head: "Well, then you should make your own games. Please, feel free to make some."

    Ogo-chan: "Well, yes, I'd like to make my own, but the development stuff is really expensive, so it'd be nice if Linux came out for it soon."

    SCE dept. head: "A PS2 version of Linux could be released tomorrow if we wanted to, but since there wouldn't be any profit made from it for the company, we'd need some other motivation. If lots of users told us,'Release it soon!' we wouldn't not think about it... My address is written on my business card, so please send any mail etc. [there]."

  32. A subscriber e-mail list id by metlin · · Score: 2

    Umm... following one of those cryptic(!) led me to an e-mail address -

    majordomo@media-wing.com?Body=subscribe ps-linux

    Maybe it's a mailing list? How about mailing that dude/bot/whatever?!

    "...Fear the people who fear your computer"

  33. Living Room Computing Solution by elbarsal · · Score: 3
    People keep asking what the point is of running Linux or NetBSD on a Dreamcast or PS2 - I can only say that it goes a long way towards having a real living room computing solution.

    Now, I don't mean a nice big PC monitor with a TV tuner (no, that's the home office / bedroom TV solution), rather, an easy way to run an MP3 jukebox and web browser from the couch in the living room, with a minimum of hardware, and an unobtrusive computing device (i.e. a small console like the DC or PS2).

    Ed

  34. Japanese Translation by klops · · Score: 5

    I read a little bit Japanese and Kanji...
    I think the article basically say that
    they got a quote from the chairman from SCE
    saying "some" linux porting on PS2 is being done internally in SCE. Then they basically point
    you to another link that has a signing compagin
    that wishes SCE to release the port.

    http://www.peanuts.gr.jp/pslinux/

    If you WANT to sign it, goto the link,
    click on the first sumbit button (that
    goto the signing page)

    On the signing page:
    First Edit box is your Name, then the listbox
    is Japan's states (I think).
    Town, City, then your emailaddess & comment.

  35. Just thought of this. Freeware/Opensource games! by Arethan · · Score: 2

    Anyone remember the old Net Yaroze project for the Playstation? (PSone) It was a way for hobbyists to write playstation games. For about $500, Sony provided you with a black console system (basically the same as the regular systems only it did not verify CD authenticity) and a bunch of C libraries for making system calls. I believe they even gave you a compiler, though it kind of sucked and you were better off buying Codewarrior for that aspect.

    Well, we if get linux running on the PS2, and the whole thing is open sourced, then we'll have graphics and sound libraries put together in no time at all. Then anyone interested in writing games for the platform can do so. Just load the kernel and then have linux start your app right away. It probably wouldn't run as fast as some of the dedicated software (the kernel would probably eat a little bit of extra time here and there), but it would get the job done in most cases.

    Just a thought.

  36. Oh boy - more Linux Goodness by smatthew · · Score: 2

    I personally think everything should run Linux. To that end - i resolve to purchase no more home entertainment devices or kitchen appliances that don't run linux. I want to be able to ask my toaster how the weather is in toledo and let my blender download a bananna shake recipie from .

    And i'll use my Linux TV to switch between showing me my PS2, Dreamcast, Palm - All of course running linux.

    Don't get me wrong, I love linux. From the /root of my HDA to the tip of my /home/smatthew/pron directory. But I don't need it everywhere. Just in my bedroom, living room, kitchen, car, and workplace. ;-}

    But seriously - If i had money for a PS2 I would love to run Linux on it. ;-} Sweet!!!

    mmmm - a beowulf cluster of PS2s and Dreamcasts

    --
    slashdot username - at - email.domain.name