Latest version of BootOS v2.1 is out, aka AsbestOS v2.01. The only real diffrence is that it works better than v2.0, so those having problems with previous version try this one. (more…)

A few days ago we told you about AsbestOS v2.0 released,  there however was no installer included, but thanks to kha0S we have that now and its available to download with a nice video guide.

To quote:

Well folks, it’s done!

I’ve been working with kmeaw last couple of weeks in asbestOS v2.0. This release is easyer to use, and eases the installation of Debian GNU/Linux in your PS3. Right now, it’s the best way to overcome the loss of OtherOS feature.

Hope everyone enjoys it!

We have made some videos! See the asbestOS v2.0 video walkthrough

And here is more of a better list of release notes for the newest version:

- This tool installs AsbestOS, which can be used to boot Linux kernel from lv2patcher v9.

- v2.0 is made by kmeaw and kha0S.

- It allows you to install unmodified Debian Squeeze.

- Full support to installation on External Hard Drive/Pen Drive. No PS3 disk installation for now.

- All needed PS3 specific kernel modules are already pre-compiled and installed.

- PS3 vram is enabled as swap as default

- Thanks to marcan for AsbestOS, Mathieulh and graf_chokolo for default.spp trick, geohot for dev_flash mount code.

- Thanks to jbc for testing and KingDong for the icon

- Now it works on PS3 fat.

[Download AsBestOS v2 Installer]
[VIA PS3.Khore]

kmeaw has released version 2.0 of his AsbestOS. An official changelog is not available, but you can see the new changes according to his repo: (more…)

AsbestOS (PS3 Linux installer) has been updated to version 1.4. The new version brings various stability and speed improvements. Version 1.3 also brought just 1 PKG support for both Fat and Slim PS3 models.

Now there wasn’t an official change log released by kmeaw, but here below are also a few recorded updates to the latest version:

• The resolution now goes to 1124×644
• linux.txt file no longer needs to be replaced
• USB devices can be disconnected on the fly

How to install AsbestOS:

1. install AsbestOS installer v1 or higher:
download links below

2. partition a USB disk to have at least one partition (FAT-formatted);

3. Download debian.rar (295.14 MB) unpack linux.img and put it into the root dir of usb disk;

4. run AsbestOS installer;

5. install lv2 patcher v9 or higher: lv2-v9.zip (111.43 KB);

6. attach an ethernet cable, connected to a network with a dhcp-server (just for the initial boot, it can be a SOHO router – just anything with DHCP); (NO LONGER NECESSARY IN ASBESTOS 1.2+)

7. run lv2 patcher and select “Linux”;

8. as you see the fb console with penguins, you can unplug the ethernet cable; (NO LONGER NECESSARY IN ASBESTOS 1.2+)

9. login: ps3, password: ps3.

If you don’t see anything, press Ctrl-Alt-F1, then Alt-F7.

[Download AsbestOS v1.4]
[VIA Logic-Sunrise]

Kmeaw has updated AsbestOS to version 1.2 today. The new update brings Fat PS3 model support and removes the requirement for having an Ethernet connection/network install to PC.

To quote from Kmeaw:

kmeaw: latest version is v1.2

kmeaw: it can work without ethernet cable at all

kmeaw: however it still supports ethernet booting for developers that would like to experiment with their own kernel builds

How to install:

1. install AsbestOS installer v1 or higher:
slim – asbestOS_v1.2_Slim.pkg (3.32 MB)
fat – asbestOS_v1.2_FAT.pkg (3.32 MB)

2. partition a USB disk to have at least one partition (FAT-formatted);

3. Download debian.rar (295.14 MB) unpack linux.img and put it into the root dir of usb disk;

4. run AsbestOS installer;

5. install lv2 patcher v9 or higher: lv2-v9.zip (111.43 KB);

6. attach an ethernet cable, connected to a network with a dhcp-server (just for the initial boot, it can be a SOHO router – just anything with DHCP); (NO LONGER NECESSARY IN ASBESTOS 1.2+)

7. run lv2 patcher and select “Linux”;

8. as you see the fb console with penguins, you can unplug the ethernet cable; (NO LONGER NECESSARY IN ASBESTOS 1.2+)

9. login: ps3, password: ps3.

If you don’t see anything, press Ctrl-Alt-F1, then Alt-F7.

[VIA PSGroove]

MrGatz85 Cael’s Open AsbestOS Loader

Ok after many days of hard work and get help from every where. The new Loader is out of Beta.

Has a new Name again, sorry. This time it does not require Hermes’ Payload at all, you can still use it. You do require peek/poke in your payload though. And is Now $ony Free, thats right folks no more $ony SDK. it runs on PSL1GHT and ps3chain.

For some reason it does not work with Fat PS3s. i think its due that we are still on the old kernel. i will working hard to get it working with the new kernel asap. you are also required to be on firmware 3.41. other then that here is the README and link at the Bottom

To all that have donated thanks you have help me start to get my teeth fixed. i go back in two weeks for the doctors to look again. its free but the doctor is two hours away. so with funds tight, your donations help pay for gas and such. Thank yall from bottom of my heart.

And i also want to say thanks to Ceal for testing the **** out of this as fast i could pop out a new prototype she was there to test. thanks

here is the README

AsbestOS Open Loader README

== Introduction Requirements==

This a AsbestOS Linux bootloader that runs off of the PS3 Lv-2 exploit.

It is designed to boot on PS3 systems running System Software version 3.41,

though it could be adapted to earlier versions. Linux runs on the GameOS partition,

thus having the same access to hardware that GameOS has.

This code is experimental and is intended for those who have a 16KB USB dongle

and no possibility to launch asbestOS in other form.

does not require you to be using Hermes’ 4vB payload!!!!

*It also requires you to be using Hermes’ 4vB payload

this is a typeo fixed here in the readme to lazy to uploadagain

to compile is best to be using linux, as i have not tested on windows

== Building ==

The PS3DEV environment variable needs Setup

$ mkdir ~/ps3dev // I Find in my user drive i have no permison problems

$ mkdir ~/ps3dev

Add these to the end of you ~/.bashrc file

export PS3DEV=~/ps3dev

export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/bin

export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/ppu/bin

export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/spu/bin

export PSL1GHT=~/pslight

$ git clone git://github.com/HACKERCHANNEL/ps3chain.git ~/ps3chain

$ git clone git://github.com/HACKERCHANNEL/PSL1GHT.git ~/PSl1GHT

Then Read the readme under both those drives and compile how they lay out.

rember we have already set the PS3DEV and PSL1GHT vars

== Usage ==

First compile AsbestOS Loader get a compatible USB exploit mechanism.

You should also connect your PS3 and PC to a network not the internet.

(they need to be in the same broadcast domain also)

P3

Do nothing but plug into your router

PC

there is where everyone seems to have the trubble.

i have created a easy setup guide for the NFS share.

Read HowToNFS.

if you cant do this becuase your in windows run Virtualbox

with your fav linux. bridge the network cards under VM setup.

and then continue with the Guide.

Transfer the AsbestOSHybridLoader.pkg (that you compiled )

to the root of a thumb drive

At this point if you have edit you own dtbImage.ps3.bin

(marcan’s kernel image included under xdata)

Copy them to the root of you usb thumb drive.

Fire off the exploit device, turn on your PS3 using power followed by eject within 0.2 seconds .

Install the pkg AsbestOSHybribLoader.pkg.

OK now find the penguin and run the Program.

Ok the scary part the screen goes black.it….Wait for it….If you get anything at all, congratulations, Kernel is running.

At this point, if you have any issues, the problem should be fairly apparent from the messages (Kernel panic NFS not mounted).

If not then there could be a cupple things wrong. There has been reports that there is a issuse with SD tvs.

I can not comfirm because i do not own a tv.I happen to run mine to a Monitor with a HDMI > DVI cable.

There are also been reports of it not working on Phat PS3s. as im not sure about this (one friend told me it worked on his phat),

Once the PS3 is up and running and your NFS share.you should now have a Working AsbestOS.

to find out more about AsbestOS got to marcan’s blog http://marcansoft.com/blog/

You Can Contact me at my blog http://mrgatz85.blogspot.com/

And i want to say thanks to Cael,Marcan32,KaKaRoToKS,Hermes,ooPo,AerialX,Mathi eulh,Aaron (the guy who started PSL1GHT)

and who ever i missed. with out any of yall i wont have been able to do what i do.

Thats have fun and use my toys the way i want

MrGatz85

== ToDo ==

spell check every thing (ROFL i cant spell sorry)

Keep up with the latest kernel and patchs.( We will have HDD support soon)

DOWNLOAD: MrGatz85 Cael’s Open AsbestOS Loader

There is a new name AsbestOS Hybrid Loader.

Two Reasons: To much other people’s code, and it requires both the OPEN SDK and the Leaked SDK to compile all the way. It has been a long 4 days. I been working Hard to clean, fix-up the Makefiles, comment the code.

Just plan make it some what readable by someone else. OK i hate to repeat type every thing so here is the README and links are at the bottom. Hate to ask this.but I am a stay at home dad,not by choice no work in my small town. So if you like it, Use it often, or just want too Please Donate.

AsbestOS Hybrid Loader README

== Introduction Requirements==
This a AsbestOS Linux bootloader that runs off of the PS3 Lv-2 exploit.
It is designed to boot on PS3 systems running System Software version 3.41,
though it could be adapted to earlier versions. Linux runs on the GameOS partition,
thus having the same access to hardware that GameOS has.
This code is experimental and is intended for those who have a 16KB USB dongle
and no possibility to launch asbestOS in other form.
It also requires you to be using Hermes’ 4vB payload.
to compile is best to be using linux, as i have not tested on windows

== Building ==

The PS3DEV environment variable needs Setup

$ sudo mkdir /usr/local/ps3dev

Add these to the end of you ~/.bashrc file

export PS3DEV=/usr/local/ps3dev
export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/bin
export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/ppu/bin
export PATH=$PATH:$PS3DEV/spu/bin

$ cd toolchain && ./buildit.sh ppu

You also need to setup CELL_SDK environment variable !!!
This build requires Both open adn leaked SDKs!!

With both of those set we can contintue.
Ok in the root of the AsbestOS Hybrid Loader run ‘make’
this should compile the
AsbestOS bin,
AsbestOS Hybrid Loader pkg,
dbgcli (debug program for AsbestOS),
tftpgui ( small python app to loader kernal for this pkg Only setups for linux run the exe for windows)

== Usage ==

First compile AsbestOS Hybrid Loader get a compatible USB exploit mechanism.
You should also connect your PS3 and PC to a network not the internet.
(they need to be in the same broadcast domain also)

P3
Do nothing but plug into your router
PC
there is where everyone seems to have the trubble.
i have created a easy setup guide for the NFS share.
it will be located under the tools dir called HowToNFS.
if you cant do this becuase your in windows run Virtualbox
with your fav linux. bridge the network cards under VM setup.
and then continue with the Guide.

Transfer the AsbestOSHybridLoader.pkg (that you compiled )
to the root of a thumb drive
At this point if you have compiled you own dtbImage.ps3.bin
(marcan’s kernel image source at http://git.marcansoft.com/)
and asbestos.bin(Hermes’ Version of the stage2 source inculded),
Copy them to the root of you usb thumb drive.

Fire off the exploit device, turn on your PS3 using power followed by eject within 0.2 seconds .

Install the pkg AsbestOSHybribLoader.pkg. OK now find the penguin and run the Program.
First it checks and make sure you exploit payload is compatible with the program Yes (goes) No (quits)
It should now ask you a series of questions.
Do you Want to boot AsbestOS?Yes (goes) No (quits)
Do you Want to load your BINS from the USB?(if you say yes and there are now files defualt will load off HDD)
Do you Want to try Experimental sys8_memcpy replacment? Yes (goes) this replaces sys8_memcpy with a poke loop No (goes) uses sys8_memcpy
Rember that sys8_call is still being used, so you still need hermes 4vb!!(Replace with your own look in main for sys8_call)
Ok the scary part the screen goes black.it….Wait for it….If you get anything at all, congratulations, Kernel is running.
At this point, if you have any issues, the problem should be fairly apparent from the messages (Kernel panic NFS not mounted).
If not then there could be a cupple things wrong. There has been reports that there is a issuse with SD tvs.
I can not comfirm because i do not own a tv.I happen to run mine to a Monitor with a HDMI > DVI cable.
There are also been reports of it not working on Phat PS3s. as im not sure about this (one friend told me it worked on his phat),
There could be a posible problem on how you exploit is deliverd to the ps3. I dont know enough quite yet so who knows.
that is why im am releasing this as a beta.

Once the PS3 is up and running and your NFS share.you should now have a Working AsbestOS.
to find out more about AsbestOS got to marcan’s blog http://marcansoft.com/blog/
You Can Contact me at my blog http://margatz85.blogspot.com/

And i want to say thanks to Marcan32,KaKaRoToKS,Hermes,ooPo,AerialX,Mathieulh, an who ever i missed.
with out any of yall i wont have been able to do what i do. Thats have fun and use my toys the way i want.

Gatz85

== ToDo ==
spell check every thing (ROFL i cant spell sorry)
write a how to for tftp
remove the need for Only hermes’ payload (replace sys8_call )
remove the ned for leaked SDK
Keep up with the latest kernel and patchs.( We will have HDD support soon)

AsbestOS Hybrid Loader

OK I’m back again with one of my simple apps. Im lazy and i like one button solutions. i have created a new loader based on Hermes loader. its does every almost the same but you don’t have to go through the extra step of putting the bins on the USB and opening any Game Manger.

I also added a check to make sure you are running a payload that will work.

And want to say sorry now to the ps3hax guys that made the image i used as a icon again i am lazy.

And please remember this is still a beta.

[Download AsbestOS loader Beta]

[Authors Blog]

I will be releasing the code shortly as right now i need more time to clean it up.

Gatz

Marcan seems to be becoming quite the figure in the PS3 hacking scene. He has posted today on his twitter proof that he has managed to get 3D RSX to work on the PS3 via AsbestOS. Very exciting news indeed. You can see the picture he posted below (click to enlarge):

proof that RSX 3D works, time to pester the nouveau guys to figure out how we can use it sanely

Yep this means he has fully unlocked the PS3 RSX (aka GPU, aka graphics card), and now comes the part to figure how to use it.

Via his blog, marcan has made an official announcement, about his creation AsbestOS, here is what he say’s:

As most of you will probably already know, I’ve been working on a project recently which aims to run Linux on the PS3 using the PSJailbreak exploit, effectively replacing GameOS on the fly. I think it’s gotten to the point where it’s useful enough for other people to be interested, so here’s something resembling an official announcement.

AsbestOS (a mineral, and meaning “inextinguishable” in Greek) is a bootloader to run PS3 Linux without OtherOS. It runs using the USB GameOS exploit (on PS3 version 3.41) from any compatible device, and any reprogrammable devices currently running the PS3 exploit can be used as long as they have enough free internal or external storage (40kB or so) to hold the loader. It is general enough that it should be useful to boot Linux given any other GameOS exploit in the future.

Currently, it only supports netbooting a kernel and no initrd (mostly due to bootmem limitations). This is enough to run a Linux system booting from an NFS share or from USB storage media. Almost everything that works under OtherOS is working. As additional perks of running as GameOS, you also get access to a seventh SPE (needs a kernel patch to enable) and there is clearly full access to the RSX including 3D support, although we still need to learn a few details about how that works to be able to use it.

AsbestOS is a fully independent open source payload and does not contain any code from the original PSJailbreak payload or derivatives. It is licensed under the GPLv2. Compiling it does not require any SDK tools, and it includes a script to build a fully vanilla GNU toolchain for the PS3.

If you’re interested, check out the git repository. The README file contains information on how to run AsbestOS and how to set up kernels. Currently, ports exist for software USB AVRs (Arduino etc.), iPods, and the reference implementation for devices with a TI OMAP3, but anything currently running PSGroove or similar can be adapted with only a few lines of new code.

For the impatient or lazy folks, here’s a kernel that you can use. You’ll probably want to change the kernel commandline options to set up your NFS root partition. This will eventually be handled by AsbestOS, but for now, open it up in a hex editor, search for HEXEDIT_THIS, and change the commandline to suit your needs (without changing the total length, of course). Do note that this kernel does not have built-in USB support, so it can only be used for NFS booting (the USB stuff is built as a module).

You can use this filesystem as a starting point. It’s a Gentoo stage3 updated to date and with PS3-specific tools installed. Keep in mind that there’s no Portage tree included, so be sure to either emerge –sync or NFS mount your server’s Portage tree (which is what I do). At the very minimum, you’ll want to edit the following files to configure your NFS and networking settings (or to specify USB device partitions, if you want to go that route – but you need to compile your own kernel then): /etc/fstab, /etc/hosts, /etc/resolv.conf, and quite likely a few others. This filesystem includes kernel modules for the above kernel.

marcan’s blog and source
marcan on Twitter

As most of us know, developer marcan was working on a Linux bootloader for firmware 3.41, the only problem he had, was choosing a name, well he has settled on AsbestOS, here is the tweet where he reveals the name and a few after regarding the bootloader.

AsbestOS (yeah, I’m calling it that) now works on the PS3 Slim (still doesn’t quite boot Linux, though)

Next headache: catching *both* CPU threads from lv2.

That wasn’t too bad. Threads caught.

Wasted like an hour debugging a bootwrapper that was working perfectly, except noone documents this stuff. dtbImage.ps3 != zImage.ps3

I bet you’ve never seen a Linux kernel say this: [ 0.000000] PS3 firmware version 3.4.1

http://is.gd/fBv7U It’s alive! Mostly, anyway.

Confirmed that it works (to the same extent) on the Slim too

To follow marcans progress, follow him on Twitter here

The AsbestOS logo in the above pic, is not the official logo, i just added it to make it prettier :p