Yellow Dog Linux v6.x

TOPIC: Enable Bluetooth support for the PS3 Sixaxis controller



Introduction

WARNING: Beginning with PS3 Firmware 2.40, if you connect the Sixaxis or Dualshock 3 controllers over bluetooth in Linux, you'll have to pair them again in the Game OS every time you go back. This is done by powering off the PS3 completely after shutting down Linux, then connecting your controller over USB, pressing the PS button, unplugging your controller, and pressing the PS button again.



Procedure

To get the Sixaxis or Dualshock 3 working over bluetooth on YDL 6.x:
  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Change to user root by typing:
    su - [ENTER]
  3. Enter your root password.
  4. Install bluez-libs and bluez-utils by typing:
    yum install bluez-libs bluez-utils [ENTER]
    NOTE: If it says "Nothing to do" here then bluez-libs is already installed.
  5. Enter the following commands.
    service hidd stop [ENTER]
    hidd --server --nocheck -n [ENTER]
  6. The command prompt will look similar to the following:
    hidd[8284]: Bluetooth HID daemon
  7. Now press the PS button on your Sixaxis / Dualshock 3 -- you can pair up to two controllers. Expected result should look similar to this:
    hidd[8284]: Bluetooth HID daemon
    hidd[8284]: New HID device 00:16:FE:C9:79:A8 (Sony Computer Entertainment Wireless Controller)
  8. Hit Ctrl-C to exit.
  9. Enter the following command:
    service hidd start [ENTER]
You only have to do this procedure once. From now on after each reboot you should be able to use your controller(s) over bluetooth by just turning them on with the PS button.

Test the Joystick

You should now have a new device listed in /dev/input for the new joystick. It will be js0 if you didn't have any joysticks before, or js1, js2, and so on if you had other joysticks connected.

To test that the joystick is working:
  1. First see what joysticks you have in the /dev/input directory:
    ls /dev/input
  2. Type the following command, replacing js0 with name of the joystick you want to check:
    cat /dev/input/js0
    If the joystick is working you should see "gibberish" on the screen when you move the sticks or press the buttons.
  3. Press Ctrl-C to exit.
Turning off the controller

The lights on controller will remain flashing until you turn it off manually by holding down the PS button for about 13 seconds or so.
This HOWTO was written by a YDL Community Member.





 
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