If you need to backup the data on your current hard drive, follow the instructions in this step. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

On a Windows/OS X/Linux machine, format an external USB hard drive (with enough space available to backup your current hard content) into the FAT32 file system.

Make sure it's formatted FAT32. The Playstation 3 backup utility will not recognize any other file system.

Connect your formatted hard drive to the Playstation 3 through a USB port and power the console up.

Navigate the XMB to the 'Settings' menu and select 'System Settings'

Select the 'Backup Utility' function to create a backup of your data - this can take up to 2 hours if you have a lot of data on the PS3.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive door away from the lower case.

Remove the hard drive door from the PS3.

Remove the blue 8 mm Phillips screw securing the hard drive cage to the chassis.

Grab the hard drive pull tab and pull the hard drive toward the front face of the PS3.

Pull the hard drive assembly out of the PS3.

Remove the four 4.3 mm Phillips screws securing the hard drive cage to the hard drive.

These 4 screws can sometimes be very difficult to remove. If you strip the heads our Screw Extracting Pliers remove the damaged screws nicely.

Remove the hard drive from its steel cage.

If you're installing a new hard drive into your PS3, use this guide to restore the data you backed up.