PS4 Linux Tutorial

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Internal HDD installation ​

Here you'll setup the internal HDD for installation of a Linux distro.

CAUTION

Make sure you are NOT following this on a console with a Baikal southbridge.

If you proceed, either it won't boot, or you'll inevitably corrupt your whole drive and loose all your data!

WARNING

This shit is slow on an HDD. Be careful and prepare your balls for imminent explosion.

Internal HDD setup ​

Check your PS4 storage, as you'll need to choose the size of the installation. Leave some free space in your console, and remember that the PS4 doesn't report the space taken internally by Linux!

FTP to your PS4. Go to the /data/ folder, and create the folder /linux/boot/ and place your bzImage (and bootargs.txt if you have it) and initramfs in there.

Then, go to /user/system/, create a folder called boot, and paste your distro in there. Remember that it needs to be called psxitarch.tar.gz or xz!

When installed, you can remove your Linux installation by removing the above files, and the "linux.img" found in /user/home/ folder. Just in case you realize I was correct.

Launching Linux Rescue Shell ​

After that, either launch your payload with Payload Guest, or use a payload website to load them.

Payload website hosts ​

Change your target firmware (in the picture it's firmware 11.50). If it doesn't have any particularly append, it's for both Aeolia and Belize.

Do NOT use Pro payloads on non-Pro consoles.

WARNING

Use a 1GB VRAM payload for installation and first boot.

Afterwards, 2GB is recommended.

TIP

I cannot believe I have to say this, but remember that the amount of VRAM you allocate is taken from your system memory!

For example, for a 2GB of VRAM payload, you'd have 8-2 = 6GB of remaining system RAM! You aren't creating memory out of thin air!

Local payloads ​

If you so desire, it's possible to load these payloads locally.

In order to do that, go download them from the ps4boot repositories:

  • Install "Payload Loader" on your PS4 to load the payloads locally
  • Extract from the ELF folders, and rename the file to have a .bin extension instead of .elf, because Payload Loader can't load ELFs
    • Enable "see file extensions" on Windows Explorer or what you're using
    • If it doesn't have any particularly append, it's for both Aeolia and Belize
  • Remember to check sometimes to see if there's any updates

Installation commands ​

Now that the storage is covered, here comes the moment of truth. You'll be sent to the Rescue Shell.

TIP

If you get an error, go to the Installation issues section.

Internal HDD

  • Type linux-install-hdd.sh
  • Type how much storage you want to use for the installation (check how much free space you have, don't fill up your drive as the PS4 won't report it!)

Hydrate yourself while you wait. It'll take a while.

You should already boot into the desktop. If it doesn't, run

bash
resume-boot

WARNING

Don't run resume-boot more than twice, or it'll crash the system! Do CTRL+ALT+CANC to reboot instead!

Finale ​

Go now, conquer the finale. Also, read the post-credit stuff.