ps3-vram-swap -- no /dev/mtdblock0 in devices

[smithla]

Brand new 80 gig PS3, latest firmware download (2.6?), lastest YDL distro from YDL.net
using yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20090201_NEW_PS3.iso

I installed ps3-vram-swap as per instructions but when I try to start the service it tells me I have no /dev/mdtboot0 in my devices.

[root@localhost init.d]# service ps3-vram-swap start
/dev/mtdblock0: No such file or directory
swapon: cannot stat /dev/mtdblock0: No such file or directory


Was something left out of the latest distro?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Lance Smith

[ppietro]

Brand new 80 gig PS3, latest firmware download (2.6?), lastest YDL distro from YDL.net
using yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20090201_NEW_PS3.iso

Was something left out of the latest distro?

Yes - apparently - that ISO you downloaded was created without ps3-vram-swap in the kernel to allow YDL to work on certain PS3 models.

See here:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4820&p=25761#p25757

If your PS3 doesn't match the advisory, you should try this ISO:
http://ydl.oregonstate.edu/iso/yellowdo ... 081119.iso

Cheers,
Paul

[smithla]

Thanks, Paul.

Now I have to dig through my trash to find the old DVD... I will regret having Chinese for lunch...

Lance

[Fearnox]

So if i have the 40gb version i should use the old ISO and use swap on mtdblock0?

How much is the performance gain btw and how much is it compared to usb memory swap?

[ppietro]

How much is the performance gain btw and how much is it compared to usb memory swap?

You won't see any raw speed increase, but the performance gain is quite significant under load. (i.e. when the PS3 memory starts to fill up and Linux begins swapping to the hard disk).

It's faster than USB memory swap, I believe, since it's using the internal bus to talk to the unused VRAM.

Let's put it this way - I refuse to run without it.

As to whether or not you should run it, check this advisory:
http://us.fixstars.com/support/solution ... rnel.shtml

Cheers,
Paul

[Fearnox]

Thanks m8, i will be testing it tomorrow.

[NinjaHoran]

This is strange... I am positive that i already have the november version of YDL and I still can't seem to make it work.

Isn't there any way you can just download the missing files without having to do a complete reinstall?

Thanks / J

[ppietro]

This is strange... I am positive that i already have the november version of YDL and I still can't seem to make it work.

Isn't there any way you can just download the missing files without having to do a complete reinstall?

Well - we haven't done it. But - the theory goes - you should be able to install the older kernel RPMs from the original YDL 6.1 disc and replace them on the newer install.

Cheers,
Paul

[akkuzo]

Well - we haven't done it. But - the theory goes - you should be able to install the older kernel RPMs from the original YDL 6.1 disc and replace them on the newer install.

Has someone tried this yet? If yes... could you tell me how to do it? Thanks!

[becond]

I am in the same boat - got the latest iso and didn't realize vram was not in the kernel.

you should be able to install the older kernel RPMs from the original YDL 6.1 disc and replace them on the newer install.

Can somebody please provide details on how to compile old kernel (from yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20081119.iso) and replace the existing one (yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20090201_NEW_PS3.iso) ?

[ppietro]

Can somebody please provide details on how to compile old kernel (from yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20081119.iso) and replace the existing one (yellowdog-6.1-ppc-DVD_20090201_NEW_PS3.iso) ?

It's not a kernel compilation. What you're doing is pulling the kernel RPMs from the other ISO and installing it to your current YDL.

Basically, follow the steps in this advisory:
http://us.fixstars.com/support/solution ... rnel.shtml

except that you'd use the old disc in place of the new disc. Also - step 15 would point at the name of the older kernel RPM, and not the one listed.

WARNING: I haven't tried this exact method. Your mileage may vary. I would back up all of your important data before you try this - you may have to re-install anyway. Good luck!

Cheers,
Paul