PS3 Bootloader Install HOWTO
2011.04.14

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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This note describes how to install an OtherOS bootloader on your PS3.

You can always find the latest version of this document, and some other useful
technical documents here:

  http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/

Please send comments to <geoff@infradead.org>

PS3 BOOTLOADER INSTALL HOWTO

1) Firmware Update

To work properly, PS3 OtherOS bootloaders, and also recent Linux kernels,
require the PS3 to have PS3 System Software (Firmware) Version 2.20 or higher
installed.  Please use the "System Update" feature on the PS3's main menu to
install a recent System Software version.  More info on PS3 System Update can
be found in the PS3's User Manual and at www.playstation.com.

2) Bootloader Installation Instructions

Instructions from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. on how to install an OtherOS
bootloader to the PS3 can be found here:

  http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/manual.html

Use the 'Select Language' drop down to choose a convenient language.

For the very first time an OtherOS bootloader is installed to the PS3, or if
the bootloader is some how corrupted, the method described in those instructions
must be used to install or recover.

3) Bootloader Image File

The choice of bootloader is up to the user.  One of those to choose from is
Petitboot, with releases here:

  http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/ps3-petitboot/

The file "otheros.bld" in that directory will point to the latest stable
release.  Use that file with the installation instructions.

4) Bootloader Update From Linux

If some form of Linux and the ps3-utils package are installed and bootable, then
the bootloader can be updated from Linux with this command:

  ps3-flash-util -w <bootloader-file>

<bootloader-file> is the name of the bootloader image file.  This is often named
otheros.bld, but ps3-flash-util will accept any valid Linux file path and name.

5) Recovery

To recover your PS3-Linux system when it hangs up or no longer boots please see
the PS3 Boot Recovery HOWTO:

  http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/ps3-howto/ps3-boot-recovery-howto.txt