Post: The Other OS Strikes Back
05-04-2011, 06:42 PM #1
-O-Z-Z-A-8-8-
At least I can fight
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In a rather cruel twist of fate for Sony, a group of hackers have released Other OS++, a custom firmware for the PlayStation 3 console that resurrects the much talked about Other OS feature.

Oh the irony



In case you were unaware, Sony removed the ability to install Linux on the PS3 via the Other OS feature following GeoHot’s initial attempts to hack into the console as a measure to protect its security. This move antagonized a lot of the PS3 owners, who didn’t take too kindly to Sony removing features from a product they had purchased and forcing them to comply with the feature removal if they wanted to continue using the PS3’s online services. This was also the case for many who had never used, and never had any inclination to use, the aforementioned feature.

The move also triggered the heightening of the hacking efforts against the PS3, which resulted in fail0verflow and GeoHot’s discoveries – ones that we’ve heard of plenty about now. At a time when Sony is struggling to cope with the PSN outage caused by external intrusion and the leakage of its customers’ personal information, this release by the PS3MFW team serves as a counter punch right to the noggin.

Hackers have released custom firmwares, tools and instructions to allow PS3 owners to reinstate the ability to install Linux or other third-party operating sytems on the popular games consoles.
Sony removed the 'Install OtherOS' function from the system with a firmware update back in march 2010 after it discovered that infamous hacker George 'Geohot' Hotz had been exploiting the little used geekery to footle about in the PS3's innards.
The Japanese company ran roughshod over its customers hiding behind iron-clad end user agreements which basically said anyone who brought a PlayStation didn't own the software installed on it, and it could remove chunks of code which were widely used to sell the hardware on a whim.
The firmware update forced users to choose between the abilty to play the latest online games and installing Linux.
Since then Sony has been beseiged by hackers and online acivists keen to prove that being the biggest, richest kid in the playground doesn't give you the right to grab everyone else's toys and break them.
Things have been pretty quiet on the OtherOS front since the PS3 was cracked wide open with the discovery of the hardware's private data signing keys, but now a team of hackers from gitbrew.org has released all of the tools and resources neccessary to resurrect the missing functionality.

The hack involves some complex and arcane jiggery-pokery but experienced users will be able to reinstate Linux using a combination of custom firmware called OtherOS++ which reportedly goes beyond the abilities of the Sony-sanctioned orginal to allow full access to the PS3's hardware.
The hacking team behind the publication described the ability to reinstate Install OtherOS as "One small steps for devs, one giant kick in the nuts for Sony Corp," which amused us no end.

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Agentcell, AMNE, cacher
05-04-2011, 06:55 PM #2
Jamesyy
OG? No? ok.
F*** this, I'm going to Wii.

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05-04-2011, 06:56 PM #3
eNVe
Grunt
I don't get why people install linux onto there ps3's, someone care to explain? i'm abit clueless.
05-04-2011, 06:59 PM #4
snowaura1337
< ^ > < ^ >
wait till the Return of the Jedi
05-04-2011, 07:00 PM #5
TheSouthpaw
I'm Bi-Winning
Oh god! Just leave the ps3 alone!

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karimkz
05-04-2011, 07:01 PM #6
PsYcHoSiS
Eatin' poopy
Originally posted by I
George 'Gehot' Hotz


Just a small spelling error..
inb4"GrammarNazi" xD
05-04-2011, 07:05 PM #7
Originally posted by Jamesyy View Post
F*** this, I'm going to Wii.


It's not like it's ruining your games, besides the CoD series, but Mw2 is fixed for the most part and getting fixed again. **** the Wii, atleast wait for Wii 2 lol
05-04-2011, 07:30 PM #8
ANTI-ONYX
Can’t trickshot me!
Originally posted by eNVe View Post
I don't get why people install linux onto there ps3's, someone care to explain? i'm abit clueless.


one word brother.....HOMEBREW.....NOW if you dont know what HOMEBREW is... you are REALLY cluelesss and need some SERIOUS help.......LOL

by the way...just in case you dont know....we had LINUX up to OFW 3.21 till SONY stole it from us......
05-04-2011, 07:44 PM #9
Porter_Justice
Cake is a lie
Originally posted by ONYX View Post
one word brother.....HOMEBREW.....NOW if you dont know what HOMEBREW is... you are REALLY cluelesss and need some SERIOUS help.......LOL

by the way...just in case you dont know....we had LINUX up to OFW 3.21 till SONY stole it from us......


The copy & paste stated that Geohotz found out how to exploit the system through the OS feature which is why they removed it. So isn't he indirectly the reason? I hope hackers bring it back to stop the crying so we can play PS3 games again.

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

Originally posted by eNVe View Post
I don't get why people install linux onto there ps3's, someone care to explain? i'm abit clueless.


Just because they can/piracy. It's slow as hell too. Iwould think a small minority of users installed it.
05-04-2011, 08:30 PM #10
-O-Z-Z-A-8-8-
At least I can fight
Originally posted by Justice View Post
The copy & paste stated that Geohotz found out how to exploit the system through the OS feature which is why they removed it. So isn't he indirectly the reason? I hope hackers bring it back to stop the crying so we can play PS3 games again.

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------



Just because they can/piracy. It's slow as hell too. Iwould think a small minority of users installed it.


i wont install linux on my ps3 as i have no use for it

my pc is like 3 feet from my ps3 so why would i use linux on ps3 when ive got windows 7 on pc lol

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