forums.ps2dev.org

Would it be a feasible idea to create an installer program using ps2hdd (ps2sdk) to take in the Black Rhino distribution files from http://blackrhino.xrhino.com/main.php?page=download burned to a CD-R, and install to a HDD inside the PS2?

The concept is to have software on the ps2 that installs Black Rhino to a modded PS2/Network/HDD without buying a Sony Linux Kit.

Is there a piece to the puzzle I am not considering?

That piece is called the RTE, which is a shell inside which both the linux kit and the blackrhino kit run. You can find this on disc 1 of the linux kit.

Also, PS2 systems without a modchip don't seem to read CDR's if I
remember correct.

Even if you have a modchip, listen to oopo. Blackrhino requires the
RTE which is distributed on Disc 1 of the Linux kit (the disc that contains
copyrighted/proprietary materials is Disc 1. FOSS/GNU stuff that is GPL'ed
is on Disc 2).

Since the RTE may not be freely distributed, you either forget about
black rhino, or make your own RTE.

As luck has it, there *is* an attempt to create a replacement RTE. Its
even on this site. It was even mentioned in some recent posts by those
who have been, more or less, working on it. They need highly motivated
individuals with time on their hands to work on it. :)

Gorim

Not sure what an RTE is (besides a UK TV channel) however I am getting the impression that Black Rhino is not a full distribution in and of itself that can just run on the PS2 without some overall shell or loader which is what the linux kit does.

What would help clarify things for me is this... if by magic, the black rhino files were magically unpacked to a ps2 formatted drive, that would still not be enough to run it. Another major component from the linux kit would need to be present as well?

The "RTE" is a software interface between PS2Linux/BlackRhino and
the PS2 IOP. It is intended to hide aspects of the PS2 from those using
linux that Sony doesn't want people to see.

The PS2Linux boot loader installs the RTE into memory before loading
the kernel.

Without the RTE, you have a very difficult time getting the kernels to
do anything, much less work. Its not impossible, if you write your own
RTE substitite. But, if you are not familiar with the RTE and its place in
the scheme of things, what you are proposing will be impossible for you.

But there is nothing to stop you from learning...

Gorim

Ideally what would be best to do would be to make a set of drivers based on the ps2dev stuff which allow the standard MIPSEL Linux build to be used. That way, you could move to the latest kernel. A distro aimed at the PS2 would be nice. Have an installer that relies on having a working exploit-loaded MC. You would put a PS2 version of GRUB onto the memory card which you would run to boot into Linux. Then you'd have a standard MIPSEL build on the HDD which used drivers for the PS2. No more relying on the RTE and out-of-date builds of Linux.

Even if you don't want the RTE you need an RTE :P. If you do a native Linux version, the PS2 drivers will have to access the SIF, which is what the RTE provides - access to the SIF. There's no way around it, you're going to implement the RTE one way or another.

mrb: I think you need to change the RTE name into something that is more appealing :) like GRTE or so, make a slashdot blurb about it and watch the hype grow, it must be good if it has Gnu in the name, right ?

Looks like this is a bit out of my league for now.