Posted Mar 25, 2007 at 06:53PM by Pranav T Listed in: Hacks & Exploits, How-To, News, Linux Tags: Linux, Sony, Ubuntu, IRC, eBay, Cpasjuste
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Ubuntu on Xbox 360 - Image 1


It seems that the recent Hypervisor hack, and the subsequently released Linux Loader are so good to the point that you can already load Linux distros on your 360. This is because of the great work by Felix Domke who wrote a bunch of drivers for Xbox360 hardware so that Linux could recognize it. And, as early as now, we've been hearing murmurs from the hacking community already.

Stonersmurf, a well respected hacker from xboxhacker.net, recently posted on IRC that he got Ubuntu Linux going on his 360. When asked about hardware compatibility, he pointed out that all hardware except for 3D and sound is working. Then, we hear that Cpasjuste has also successfully booted Ubuntu on his 360. Not only that, he was kind enough to provide instructions for anyone curious and brave enough to try it.

This development means that users could be looking at full fledged Linux distros working on their 360 in the near time. The only thing currently holding back everyone is the fact that you need a 360 with an older kernel version (4532 or 4548) which is a rarity. Until someone can either find a way to downgrade to an older kernel, or find a vulnerability in the new version, you would either have to wait for the new kernel to get hacked or buy an Xbox360 with an older kernel off sites like eBay.

Apart from that though, I can't wait to see where this goes. Comparing this to PS3 Linux (which has been openly supported by Sony), the only difference you have now is that sound drivers haven't been ported yet. If you don't count that, Xbox360 Linux is actually better than PS3 Linux since it's running at a much higher privelege (Hypervisor level), meaning people could fiddle around with stuff and hope to find bugs in the Xbox kernel.

You can head on over to Cpasjuste's tutorial for Ubuntu on Xbox 360 for more info.


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15 Comments


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   by bigp (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » pathetic

wow thats pathetic. no ones going to use this and everyone who says they are you cant kause u play on live! HAHAHA PS3 FTW!!!


   Re: PTSnake (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » LOLZ

no, YOU are pathetic,. because we can use Xenos on linux, but you can't use your *****ing weak RSX.

have a good day, sir. (dumbass)

   Re: Extintion (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » xenos is not 360's GPU though

Not only that, but you CANT use 360's GPU (didnt you read the article?) and the Yellow dog linux guys are working on RSX support. So you're wrong about everything.

   Re: linuxEMPIRE (Unregistered) - 2007-03-26
 » hawt! haw! hawt!

ok this is the part that really confuses me. I went eagerly and all excited to tell this news on a freenode chat and I was dismissed derisivily and they had great missgivings about XBOX and using linux. They said XBOX's CPU ain't cell but a G4.5 ???

o.O

According to them meaning that one of the SPU's was missing???!! Therefore some cripple crap.

So then I was not that excited anymore and thought about getting a ps3 to run linux.

But I did mention that Linux on XBOX is running a pure hardware level without the *****ing hypersucker.

They said that ps3 linux is not emulated atop the hypersucker and that it even helps bitle.

So, why that strong negative reception at these news about linux on XBOX? They appeared to portray 360 a lost cause EVEN with linux.

Now this questions:

In what way is the linux running without the hypersucker better than ps3 on top the hypervisor? Speed? What things can it do that the linux on ps3 can't?

How is linux on the ps3 limited by the hypervisor?

But I was thinking that $ony has planted a trojan on ps3 by putting linux since it could be possible to meddle around $ony's hypervisor? Eventually cracking it like in the 360's?

Ok this is separatelly.

One the most precious things on the current consoles is the Graphics card, it's like the hottest chic eye-candy most wanted. But it's not possible to have it :'-( I guess linux will run on Framebuffer as well on the 360?

BUT, this is what i was thinking. Since F@H is developing a GPU software to take advantage of the Graphics processor, would there be a chance for linux h4x0rz to figure out how to convert GPU F@H into a Graphics driver?

Just wondering....

Please if someone could guide me here.

Oh by the way, after that discussion on irc, I think am get a ps3. Sorry 360.
   by Jettic (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » ...

Well according to some 360 fanboys I know, Linux is just a way for Sony to divert people from the fact that the PS3 doesn't have many games, and that it's not needed/nobody will use it, so looks like he wasted his time writing all those drivers...lol...unless 360 fanboys like Linux all of a sudden


   Re: mohaas05 (Unregistered) - 2007-03-26
 » no it isnt dumb*****

its to provide a means for independent devs to write their own homebrew for ps3. it also cuts down on piracy.
   by GW2 (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » idiots

your all idiots. you HAVE to void your warranty to do this. thats bull*****. ps3 just install linux and BAM! your done. i own a 360 and not a ps3 so im no fanboy. but i've had bad luck with 360's (i'm on my 4th one now) i's never risk voiding my warranty cuz it will most likely break again.


   Re: Takenover83 (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » 360 Linux

I own a 360 and PS3, already running ubuntu on the ps3, but would love to use the 360 because it has more memory available! Here's to hoping for better exploit's.
   by Advertising -
   by -_- (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » Linux all around.

Now that just leaves the Wii to get Linux somehow.


   Re: THEPPFNOOBS (Unregistered) - 2007-03-25
 » GO HERE

GOTO WWW.THEPPFNOOBS.COM for all your xbox, xbox 360, and halo modding!
   by Shatterdome - 2007-03-26
 » Yeah...

Potentially this could run linux much better then PS3...mainly because of the extra ram, but also, once someone takes the time to write video drivers, there will be GPU access.

It's not that YDL doesn't know how to enable RSX, it's that Sony will not allow it, as they do not want firmware emulators and iso loaders being programmed...


   Re: curious (Unregistered) - 2007-03-26
 » RSX??!!

what's RSX? Why is a bad thing???

What could ps3 linux gain/benefit with RSX enabled?

I wanna find out, please give me some examples...

;-)
   by R Kelly (Unregistered) - 2007-03-26
 » Wow

I am so happy. Now there is officially no reason for me to get a ps3


   Re: Shatterdome - 2007-03-26
 » Although...

As good as it is, almost nobody has that old of a dashboard, unless you haven't been online since the first update....

   Re: jeremy (Unregistered) - 2007-03-26
 » like me...

I got a 360 a month after it first came out and havent played it much since. I was disappointed in it but now i finally have a reason to plug it back up and make use of it. Im not flaming the 360 but everybody has their taste and there's no reason to bash someone elses opinion to feel better about your own. It reminds me of that kid in highschool that trys to prove his camaro is better than someone elses firebird, who really cares?


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