Questions about PS3 hard drive - Blu-ray Forum

Gamekid · 06-20-2006, 03:41 AM

Below are questions about the PS3

1) Will the hard drive come preinstalled with Windows or Linux?

2) I've heard that the hard drive will act as a cache for games meaning that the parts of the game will load onto the hard drive and then copied to ram as nessary. If this is true then how much of the hard drive will be used for saving game progress?

yvzpa · 06-20-2006, 05:13 AM

PS3 is probably the last thing MS wants its Windows installed into, so I'd say no Windows for sure.
As for Linux, it is also very unlikely. I believe it would allow hackers to exploit the system too easily, for piracy and stuff, I don't know.

partridge · 06-20-2006, 11:20 AM

No, the hard drive won't come preinstalled with either of those, though Sony reckon the PS3 could run them.

Yes, it will enable game developers to make use of it as a temporary store for data to speed up loading times.

And you will of course be able to download games to the hard drive when they become available - not full size PS3 games, but PS1 & 2 games may become available to buy online (via the PS3) and run from your hard drive, or in the case of PS1 games you can transfer them to your PSP as that is due to get a PS1 emulator!

suprmallet · 06-21-2006, 12:49 AM

Sony announced it was coming preinstalled with Linux.

partridge · 06-21-2006, 09:11 AM

Really? why?

is it so they can claim it is a computer to benefit from import tax or something?

zombie · 06-21-2006, 06:41 PM

Thread title changed.

suprmallet · 06-21-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partridge

Really? why?

is it so they can claim it is a computer to benefit from import tax or something?

No, they did it so the system menu can operate. The 360 dashboard runs off of Windows. The PS3 will have something similar, with even more function, and Linux is very good at doing what Sony wants it to. Plus, of course, Sony would never use Windows for anything and I doubt the Mac OS is optimized to work on a video game system.

henning · 06-22-2006, 01:58 PM

I heard that, while they are indeed installing Linux on the HDD, that Linux is NOT the OS used to normally run the console. That is a proprietary OS just for the PS3.

henning
ps3blog.net

Psiweaver · 06-27-2006, 09:05 PM

thats correct but you will be able to skin it just like xbox 360.

suprmallet · 06-28-2006, 12:43 AM

It would make sense to make it a proprietary type; Sony doesn't want people programming homebrew stuff for the PS3.

yvzpa · 06-28-2006, 12:47 AM

So is it Linux on the hard drive and another Sony OS on the bios or something?
What's the point of having two?

thunderhawk · 06-28-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvzpa

So is it Linux on the hard drive and another Sony OS on the bios or something?
What's the point of having two?

You can compare it to a computer. It first loads the BIOS to support the hardware and then run the OS, Windows or Mac or whatever.
Linux can provide a lot of nice features for Sony, however be sure they'll keep it upgradable, or better said: patchable when someone hacks the 'firmware' and is able to play copied games. A good example is the PSP.

Gamekid · 06-28-2006, 05:28 PM

I agree. I have read numerous articles that software is usable via the hard drive, which means you can put anything on it, whether or not it's legal in the first place. Sony will have to do something to make sure that everything that is put on the hard drive is offical and legal. Just of the loose ends to tie up prior to launch.

06-20-2006, 03:41 AM	#1
Gamekid Power Member Member since:Feb 2006	Questions about PS3 hard drive Below are questions about the PS3 1) Will the hard drive come preinstalled with Windows or Linux? 2) I've heard that the hard drive will act as a cache for games meaning that the parts of the game will load onto the hard drive and then copied to ram as nessary. If this is true then how much of the hard drive will be used for saving game progress?

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06-20-2006, 05:13 AM	#2
yvzpa Junior Member Member since:Jun 2006	PS3 is probably the last thing MS wants its Windows installed into, so I'd say no Windows for sure. As for Linux, it is also very unlikely. I believe it would allow hackers to exploit the system too easily, for piracy and stuff, I don't know.

06-20-2006, 11:20 AM	#3
partridge Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2005 Location:England	No, the hard drive won't come preinstalled with either of those, though Sony reckon the PS3 could run them. Yes, it will enable game developers to make use of it as a temporary store for data to speed up loading times. And you will of course be able to download games to the hard drive when they become available - not full size PS3 games, but PS1 & 2 games may become available to buy online (via the PS3) and run from your hard drive, or in the case of PS1 games you can transfer them to your PSP as that is due to get a PS1 emulator!

06-21-2006, 12:49 AM	#4
suprmallet Active Member Member since:Jun 2006 Blu-ray collection:264	Sony announced it was coming preinstalled with Linux.

06-21-2006, 09:11 AM	#5
partridge Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2005 Location:England	Really? why? is it so they can claim it is a computer to benefit from import tax or something?

06-21-2006, 06:41 PM	#6
zombie Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:May 2004 Trading Score:866	Thread title changed.

06-22-2006, 01:58 PM	#8
henning Junior Member Member since:Jun 2006	I heard that, while they are indeed installing Linux on the HDD, that Linux is NOT the OS used to normally run the console. That is a proprietary OS just for the PS3. henning ps3blog.net

06-27-2006, 09:05 PM	#9
Psiweaver Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Los Angeles,CA	thats correct but you will be able to skin it just like xbox 360.

06-28-2006, 12:43 AM	#10
suprmallet Active Member Member since:Jun 2006 Blu-ray collection:264	It would make sense to make it a proprietary type; Sony doesn't want people programming homebrew stuff for the PS3.

06-28-2006, 12:47 AM	#11
yvzpa Junior Member Member since:Jun 2006	So is it Linux on the hard drive and another Sony OS on the bios or something? What's the point of having two?

06-28-2006, 05:28 PM	#13
Gamekid Power Member Member since:Feb 2006	I agree. I have read numerous articles that software is usable via the hard drive, which means you can put anything on it, whether or not it's legal in the first place. Sony will have to do something to make sure that everything that is put on the hard drive is offical and legal. Just of the loose ends to tie up prior to launch.

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