[Cbe-oss-dev] Newbie: which kboot?

[Geoff Levand]

Hi Christian,

On 12/18/2007 09:38 AM, Christian Convey wrote:
> I'm new to PS/3 Linux development.  I just got through wasting a lot
> of time trying to find a combination of kboot image and Fedora version
> that I could install on my PS/3.  I finally found a set of (old?)
> instructions that recommend
> using:
>    ftp://ftp.uk.linux.org/pub/linux/Sony-PS3/CELL-Linux-CL_20070516-ADDON.iso
> and FC6.


Unfortunately, that info is old and out of date.  Fedora 8 is the current
release, and I recommend it, as you can get answers to your questions.
No one uses Fedora 6 anymore.

There is a bug in the Fedora 8 installer, so you need to take
care of that:

  https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=374201
  https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=370761

There is also a startup bug in the initrd nash:

  https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=389331


> That worked for me, but it leaves me with several questions:
> 
> 1) Why is there this huge variety of kboot programs out there?


New ones are released every few months with updated packages and
bug fixes.  Distros also release them.


> Are
> there one or two that are considered to typically be the best choice
> for someone who just wants to get programming?
 

Use the latest stable one.  Currently that is kboot-20070831.bld.  The
20071023 one has a bug.  You can find it here:

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


> 2) Where can I find instructions for the version I used?

Docs for the current version are here:

  http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/geoff/cell/CELL-Linux-CL_20071023-ADDON/doc/

Older versions are here:

  ftp://ftp.infradead.org/pub/Sony-PS3/


> I can't find
> anything about a mailing list, etc. for it.


This is the mail list.  Look in the docs for more info. I recommend
you try to get help in IRC.


> 3) The particular kboot I installed just gives me a command prompt.


Yes, that is correct.  Press the TAB key to show the menu items.


> Does anyone know if/how this particular kboot can be used to boot the
> PS/3 into game mode?


Depending on what version, type boot-game-os or ps3-boot-game-os.
Some kboots have a bug, so you may need to power off first.


> 4) Is it OK for me to chance which kboot I'm using, now that I've got
> FC6 installed?  


Yes.  You can always revert to the old version if you have trouble.


> Even if I had to be picky to find a kboot image that
> could *install* FC6, I should have more freedom now that it's
> installed, right?


You have all the freedom in the world.  You can even burn it
with gasoline or smash it with a hammer.

-Geoff