Introduction
Use this guide to replace your PlayStation 3's hard drive.
Tools
Parts
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500 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive
- 500 GB 7200 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive
- 750 GB 7200 RPM Seagate SATA Hard Drive (New)
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Sony PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Bracket
- 320 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive
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500 GB SSD Hybrid 2.5" Hard Drive
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1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive
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Crucial MX500 250 GB SSD
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Crucial MX500 500 GB SSD
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Crucial MX500 1 TB SSD
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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.
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Connect your formatted hard drive to the Playstation 3 through a USB port and power the console up.
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Navigate the XMB to the 'Settings' menu and select 'System Settings'
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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.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive door away from the lower case.
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Remove the hard drive door from the PS3.
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Remove the four 4.3 mm Phillips screws securing the hard drive cage to the hard drive.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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14 Comments
Hi there!
Thank you for this (and all the other) guide!
My Hard Drive Slot looks a little bit different.
You have to spudge away the door from the left side and after removing the Blue Screw you can easily pull out the harddrive and you don't have to slide the tray to the side and out afterwards.
Maybe worth a note that there are several versions around..
My problem is my ps3 don't play disc
How is this in any way related to a HDD replacement guide?
Nice explenatory guide!
My playstation3 fell over" lost all my icons on screen. I took it in to see what's wrong, they say I need to replace hard drive. Were can I buy a hard drive and how much does it cost? Can I do it myself? Please give me some answers or tips
if you can’t figure that out you should stop gaming…
i have a ps3 without a hdd and i want to put a hdd from another ps3,it's that possibile?
yes but HD’s are linked to specific PS3’s. It’ll format the drive you are trying to use as an external. You can backup the PS3 you’re taking the drive FROM first on an external, but I don’t know if you can restore from an external on a different ps3. I’ve done that before on mine, but it’s the same PS3, just put in a bigger drive.
It'd be great to mentioned that not all PS3 looks like that. Mine doesn't have a clearly labeled HDD, nor a clear door on the side. There's a small door on the bottom of the system which when opened reveals the blue screw. Then you slide the small cover (the one with all the DVD, BluRay, HDMI labels) to the right. Pull the handle and the HDD will come out strait towards you.
hi its heino hear I lost all my data on my playstation so my hardrive stop workin now I need to instan all new b ut I don't hafe the softwareb
what do I do
what if the blue screw for the hard drive casing is stripped?
Hi everyone !
As many users I suppose, my PS3's HDD is full, and I tried to change it for a bigger one.
But I'm stuck at the first step :
I've formated an external HDD in FAT32, plugged it in the usb port then turn on the PS3. The HDD lights up, I select the good menu, the PS3 asks me if I want to do it, 'YES', warn me that my XP and trophies won't be saved in this backup, 'YES', then the menu asks me to plug a HDD ...
I've tried to plug in the both usb ports when the PS3 is off, when it's on, formated my external HDD 3 times in FAT32, fast way and long way (when the HDD is re-written with 0) , and nothing changed...
The external HDD works, is new, is bigger than my internal HDD... it's a WD, My Passport Ultra 500 Go...
Any idea what's wrong ?
Thanks for the help !
BNJ - Reply
Hi !
I've found the solution : the external HDD wasn't good for this operation, because it's an USB 3, so I suppose that the PS3 doesn't deliver enough power to run it correctly. It's works fine with a external USB 2.
I'll write later the complete 'arborescence' (or 'tree diagram' ? don't know the correct word to use) who is written in my HDD, it could help someone else.
And after all this, when you want to restore your backup datas on your new internal HDD, I advise you to copy the last PS3 system software (downladed here http://us.playstation.com/support/system...) in a single USB key, it was easier for my PS3 to find and read it.
See you later !
BNJ -