PSXLinux (also known as Runix) is a Linux
kernel
Kernel may refer to:
Computing
* Kernel (operating system), the central component of most operating systems
* Kernel (image processing), a matrix used for image convolution
* Compute kernel, in GPGPU programming
* Kernel method, in machine learn ...
and development kit for the
PlayStation (MIPS-NOMMU). PSXLinux is based on the
μClinux
μClinux is a variation of the Linux kernel, previously maintained as a fork, that targets microcontrollers without a memory management unit (MMU). It was integrated into the mainline kernel as of 2.5.46; the project continues to develop patc ...
2.4.x kernel and contains specific support for the Sony PlayStation.
Features
* Serial console over RS232
SIO
* Virtual console over PlayStation
GPU
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device. GPUs are used in embedded systems, mobi ...
* Multiple memory cards as storagedevice,
block device
In Unix-like operating systems, a device file or special file is an interface to a device driver that appears in a file system as if it were an ordinary file. There are also special files in DOS, OS/2, and Windows. These special files allow a ...
driver
*
USB host
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
driver capable of keyboard and mouse support using a
Cypress Semiconductor
Cypress Semiconductor was an American semiconductor design and manufacturing company. It offered NOR flash memories, F-RAM and SRAM Traveo microcontrollers, PSoC programmable system-on-chip solutions, analog and PMIC Power Management ICs, Ca ...
SL811
Compiling the kernel
Various attempts to compile the kernel resulted into either errors or people unable to run the kernel from suggested bootmethods. A
cross compiler
A cross compiler is a compiler capable of creating executable code for a platform other than the one on which the compiler is running. For example, a compiler that runs on a PC but generates code that runs on an Android smartphone is a cross c ...
is required to make the kernel compatible for the PlayStations CPU.
Execution methods
Over SIO (Serial)
Loading the compiled RUNIX binary (PS-EXE) into a PlayStation may be done by using a Serial Adapter (such as the Net Yaroze Serial Cable) or
Parallel Port device (Xplorer, Caetla). Another method is by installing a
modchip
A modchip (short for modification chip) is a small electronic device used to alter or disable artificial restrictions of computers or entertainment devices. Modchips are mainly used in video game consoles, but also in some DVD or Blu-ray player ...
within the PlayStation and burning a
CD-ROM containing the executable data that will allow the system to boot burned discs. Runix did supply some tools on their website to transfer files if one had obtained or built their own serial cable. The filename was: psx-serial.0.9.7.tar.gz
From CD
Due to Linux
ELF
An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes "ligh ...
format not supported by the PlayStation, conversion is required and a suggested path is to first convert the Linux kernel file to ECOFF, the NetYaroze native executable standard. This can be done with an enclosed tool called elf2ecoff inside the kernel source. Next step is converting the ECOFF file to PS-EXE file, the format found on PlayStation game disks, after CD-ROM mastering a valid disk image.
Multiple Memorycards as Storage
From Beta1 on the Runix sources
Google drive to opensource files. Retrieved on Februari 2, 2017 support Multiple or single memorycards of the PlayStations default size or larger. Multiple memory cards could have been formatted using a tool Runix supplied on their website to format into Ext2
The ext2 or second extended file system is a file system for the Linux kernel. It was initially designed by French software developer Rémy Card as a replacement for the extended file system (ext). Having been designed according to the same ...
.
The tools to do so seem to be lost or no sources can be found only the name: psx-mcard.0.8.2.tar.gz
References
External links
μClinux website
BetaArchive website, thread on PSXLinux
Lightweight Unix-like systems
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