really open ps2 linux

dmitriy · Post by **dmitriy** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:47 pm

sorry, it is a question of novice.

is there any linux distro for ps2, which does not require sony copyrighted runtime environment in order to load?

i mean also live-cd or hard-disk install disros

thanks

Post by **ooPo** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:59 am

None that I've ever heard of. Sorry.

urchin · Post by **urchin** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:45 am

what about blackrhino?...

http://blackrhino.xrhino.com

Post by **ooPo** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:39 am

The first instruction for installing blackrhino:

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Install Sony Playstation 2 Linux on /dev/hda1.

It also appears to require booting from the ps2linux bootloader:

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Edit your memory card's p2lboot.cnf file and add an entry to boot into the newly created BlackRhino GNU/Linux partition.

It also has this interesting note:

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 Since dynamic network support is not included in the stock v2.2.1 Sony Playstation 2 Linux kernel, you must initially use a static network configuration &#40;or a different kernel with dynamic support&#41;.

So, if it requires ps2linux to be installed, uses the ps2linux bootloader to boot and actually uses the same ps2linux kernel... it probably requires ps2linux and its wonderful, copyrighted RTE environment.

I'm afraid the answer to your question about blackrhino is... no.

urchin · Post by **urchin** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:11 pm

it wasn't clear to me whether ps2linux was required just to install, or required for every boot...

rinco · Post by **rinco** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:54 pm

i run blackrhino and i can assure you it requires the ps2linux rte (every time you boot).

PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr · Post by **PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:56 am

Is'nt it just another elf format binary (or could you make it such)?

Post by **Drakonite** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:43 pm

PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr wrote:Is'nt it just another elf format binary (or could you make it such)?

...you mean in the same way that MS Office is "just another pe format binary"?

PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr · Post by **PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:50 am

...

I mean couldn't one just build a kernel that could be loaded w/ any elf file loader (i use LaunchELF mostly) and build a tiny dist. consisting only what is needed to run linux and maybe gcc? In fact, it can be done, now that i think of it. I'll gladly start working on it personally.

Post by **Drakonite** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 4:54 pm

You have a ton of work to be done in the way of talking to the hardware.

Writing drivers is complicated even further by the fact that on the PS2 you have to talk to a secondary I/O Processor (the IOP) to talk to the peripheral hardware.

Sony solved this by having an RTE (Run Time Environment) that in the simplest terms created an abstraction layer between linux and the PS2's hardware. The RTE is proprietary; it is NOT GPL'd and is NOT distributable, so don't ask. (This is the only warning you'll get)

There is a start at a homebrew RTE called TGE, but its not done and AFAIK not in any sort of active development (sadly) and I don't remember how far along it is at this point.

All of this has been discussed numerous times so if you want more info use the search.

PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr · Post by **PeRsOnAlCoNfUsEr** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:03 am

Do you kno where i might be able to get what ever is left over of that project. Googling TGE just gets the 2k4 news anouncement, and i cant get CVS access (no home net access, i use the schools though (ITT))

im gonna have to get mi hands on a copy of the RTE to study it a bit (ill just barrow my friends installer cd) ill have to look into lisigning to see how much i can reverse it (knowig sony, none at all :-<)

weltall · Post by **weltall** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 3:44 pm

here: http://svn.ps2dev.org/listing.php?repna ... rev=0&sc=0
you can just download the binary svn package and extract the two or three necessary file and then start them by prompt (if the computer of the school have windows)