Formatting new PS3 hard drive - Blu-ray Forum

jermwhl · 06-13-2007, 01:17 AM

I just watched a few vids on youtube of people installing new hard drives in their PS3. They were in japanese w/english subtitles. The guy simply jerked out his old HDD, and installed a new one, booted up the system. The system asked if he wanted to format the HDD and that was it!
Is it that simple? I know a few of you on here have done it, just wanted to get some feedback on this issue.

I searched for a related thread using the search function, but I get way too many results! (I started a search function thread asking for an advanced search feature). I'm sorry if this thread has already been discussed.
keywords: HDD (too short) format (way too many threads) formatting (not enough results)!

Thanks all!

msm · 06-13-2007, 01:38 AM

From doing a quick google search I found this:

http://www.slashgear.com/ps3-hard-dr...ade-132464.php

It looks interesting and I would want to upgrade my PS3 hard drive, let me know how it goes. I would be interested in hearing some feedback.

I wouldn't mind putting this 160gb hd in my PS3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16822148184/

jermwhl · 06-13-2007, 01:42 AM

Just seems too dang simple! I figured the OS resided on the HDD, I guess it resides on a chip! Hmmmm!

The Don · 06-13-2007, 01:50 AM

only gripe I have is I've heard people saying it takes 9 hours for them to format...

and what do you do with your files that were on your old HDD in regards to transferring them to the new one?

msm · 06-13-2007, 01:55 AM

I guess you would be starting new with the files or maybe you can back up saved games to your computer and transfer them back. It does look really easy, I am thinking about giving it a try, I dont mind if it take 9 hours to format, just leave it on all night...

TuneMan1980 · 06-13-2007, 02:00 AM

you can easily copy saved games to a usb memory stick or removable usb hard drive. I think you can do the same with movies, but I'm not sure about downloaded games. You might have to re download those.

BorrowedTime · 06-13-2007, 02:01 AM

9 hours??? I know it didn't take me that long.

Ok, I have a 20GB model PS3, purchased about a week after launch. At Christmas, I asked my sister to get me a 100 or 120 GB hard drive. I got the 100, and it was REALLY easy to swap it in. In fact, it's in your owner's manual, the white booklet with the trouble shooting guide... the instructions on how to upgrade your HDD is in there. And it is adviseable to back up any game data you may want to save to your computer via usb, or an external hdd, or if the files are small enough, to a memory stick (via psp), or the memory card slots if you have the 60GB model.

ps3andlovinit · 06-13-2007, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Don

only gripe I have is I've heard people saying it takes 9 hours for them to format...

and what do you do with your files that were on your old HDD in regards to transferring them to the new one?

The PS3 comes with a backup and restore program - it's under one of the system menus.

1. Plug in an external USB HDD then run the backup
2. Unplug your old drive
3. Plug in the new drive.
4. It reformats and now you have a larger HDD.
5. Your firmware and settings are preserved. Yep you don't need to reapply the firmware updates from the beginning of time. Nice eh.
6. Restore the backup from the USB drive.

The backup will not backup protected content...but that should only be anything you have downloaded from the PSN store anyways. So...

7. Login and re-download any protected content you paid for etc. It's tracked under you master account so it shouldn't complain.

It's been awhile so I may have missed something but that's pretty close.

They thought of just about everything.

Note: I did read at some point an issue with backing up if Linux was installed but I don't know if that was FUD or a real issue.

msm · 06-13-2007, 02:10 AM

^ thanks. I think I am going to order the ST9160821AS and upgrade my HD.

groovyone · 06-13-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

The PS3 comes with a backup and restore program - it's under one of the system menus.

1. Plug in an external USB HDD then run the backup

Good to know! I have a 500GB External USB drive I could easily use!

ps3andlovinit · 06-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovyone

Good to know! I have a 500GB External USB drive I could easily use!

And if you have any issues/problems you always have the original drive to put back in.

Boss Hogg · 06-14-2007, 02:18 AM

Yup, very simple. It's explained right in the user's manual. Literally plug and play and formatting the new drive takes less than 1/2 hour easily. And you can backup your old hard drive stuff/saves to a USB drive or memory stick or SD card or whatever.

WriteSimply · 06-14-2007, 11:53 AM

IMPORTANT: Don't sell the original HDD or put it in some other machines. You need it if you send your PS3 for repairs or exchange with SCE. Wait until ONE YEAR or until the warranty EXPIRES before you do anything with the drive.

fuad

flo7002 · 06-15-2007, 09:42 AM

what brand/speed of drive is in there originally for the 60gb? I'm wanting to upgrade also, and I wonder if getting a 7200rpm would make a noticeable difference.

WriteSimply · 06-15-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flo7002

what brand/speed of drive is in there originally for the 60gb? I'm wanting to upgrade also, and I wonder if getting a 7200rpm would make a noticeable difference.

5000 rpm, I think. Get a higher cache but not a higher speed, as the higher speed will increase the heat build-up. But if you've got no choice, then make sure that your PS3 is well ventilated.

fuad

jermwhl · 06-15-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss Hogg

Yup, very simple. It's explained right in the user's manual.

User's manual....what's that?

aaronwt · 06-15-2007, 02:18 PM

This works very well. I had no problem backing upthe 20GB drive and restoring the data to a 160GB drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

The PS3 comes with a backup and restore program - it's under one of the system menus.

1. Plug in an external USB HDD then run the backup
2. Unplug your old drive
3. Plug in the new drive.
4. It reformats and now you have a larger HDD.
5. Your firmware and settings are preserved. Yep you don't need to reapply the firmware updates from the beginning of time. Nice eh.
6. Restore the backup from the USB drive.

The backup will not backup protected content...but that should only be anything you have downloaded from the PSN store anyways. So...

7. Login and re-download any protected content you paid for etc. It's tracked under you master account so it shouldn't complain.

It's been awhile so I may have missed something but that's pretty close.

They thought of just about everything.

Note: I did read at some point an issue with backing up if Linux was installed but I don't know if that was FUD or a real issue.

BluManta · 06-15-2007, 03:39 PM

Yes. Tho I did a full format which took 9 hours. I think there was no point aswell lol. Yes its easy as pie. Just follow the instructions you get with the ps3.

Rup_Muk · 06-15-2007, 04:11 PM

Doesn't the form factor for the HDD need to be 2.5"?

jermwhl · 06-15-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rup_Muk

Doesn't the form factor for the HDD need to be 2.5"?

Yes and no.

I saw a vid on youtube of a guy installing a 3.5" HDD in a PS3. He used a SATA extension cable and essentially turned an internal HDD into an external HDD using the extension cable and an external hard drive power supply. It was a pretty cheesy "how-to" vid.
Do a search for PS3 hard drive on youtube. I would provide the link, but youtube is blocked by my firewall at work.

06-13-2007, 01:17 AM	#1
jermwhl Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Virginia	Formatting new PS3 hard drive I just watched a few vids on youtube of people installing new hard drives in their PS3. They were in japanese w/english subtitles. The guy simply jerked out his old HDD, and installed a new one, booted up the system. The system asked if he wanted to format the HDD and that was it! Is it that simple? I know a few of you on here have done it, just wanted to get some feedback on this issue. I searched for a related thread using the search function, but I get way too many results! (I started a search function thread asking for an advanced search feature). I'm sorry if this thread has already been discussed. keywords: HDD (too short) format (way too many threads) formatting (not enough results)! Thanks all!

06-13-2007, 01:38 AM	#2
msm Member Member since:May 2007	From doing a quick google search I found this: http://www.slashgear.com/ps3-hard-dr...ade-132464.php It looks interesting and I would want to upgrade my PS3 hard drive, let me know how it goes. I would be interested in hearing some feedback. I wouldn't mind putting this 160gb hd in my PS3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16822148184/ Last edited by msm; 06-13-2007 at 02:10 AM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
New PS3, can't use my custom hard drive without formatting... Help needed!	PS3	Neil_Luv's_BLU	12	12-30-2009 03:28 PM
Formatting a 1TB external Hard Drive to Fat 32?	PS3	soright903	29	09-01-2009 01:20 AM
new hard drive for ps3?	PS3	hoogoosedmoose41	1	03-12-2009 05:21 AM
Can you do anything with the hard drive removed from the PS3?	PS3	Prog5000	6	07-08-2008 07:52 PM
video on PS3 hard disk versus external hard disk or flash drive	PS3	zor	1	06-25-2008 10:53 PM

06-13-2007, 01:42 AM	#3
jermwhl Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Virginia	Just seems too dang simple! I figured the OS resided on the HDD, I guess it resides on a chip! Hmmmm!

06-13-2007, 01:50 AM	#4
The Don Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2006 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:2	only gripe I have is I've heard people saying it takes 9 hours for them to format... and what do you do with your files that were on your old HDD in regards to transferring them to the new one?

06-13-2007, 01:55 AM	#5
msm Member Member since:May 2007	I guess you would be starting new with the files or maybe you can back up saved games to your computer and transfer them back. It does look really easy, I am thinking about giving it a try, I dont mind if it take 9 hours to format, just leave it on all night...

06-13-2007, 02:00 AM	#6
TuneMan1980 Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Elkridge, MD	you can easily copy saved games to a usb memory stick or removable usb hard drive. I think you can do the same with movies, but I'm not sure about downloaded games. You might have to re download those.

06-13-2007, 02:01 AM	#7
BorrowedTime Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Calgary, Alberta, Canada	9 hours??? I know it didn't take me that long. Ok, I have a 20GB model PS3, purchased about a week after launch. At Christmas, I asked my sister to get me a 100 or 120 GB hard drive. I got the 100, and it was REALLY easy to swap it in. In fact, it's in your owner's manual, the white booklet with the trouble shooting guide... the instructions on how to upgrade your HDD is in there. And it is adviseable to back up any game data you may want to save to your computer via usb, or an external hdd, or if the files are small enough, to a memory stick (via psp), or the memory card slots if you have the 60GB model.

06-13-2007, 02:10 AM	#9
msm Member Member since:May 2007	^ thanks. I think I am going to order the ST9160821AS and upgrade my HD.

06-14-2007, 02:18 AM	#12
Boss Hogg Active Member Member since:Dec 2006	Yup, very simple. It's explained right in the user's manual. Literally plug and play and formatting the new drive takes less than 1/2 hour easily. And you can backup your old hard drive stuff/saves to a USB drive or memory stick or SD card or whatever.

06-14-2007, 11:53 AM	#13
WriteSimply Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	IMPORTANT: Don't sell the original HDD or put it in some other machines. You need it if you send your PS3 for repairs or exchange with SCE. Wait until ONE YEAR or until the warranty EXPIRES before you do anything with the drive. fuad

06-15-2007, 09:42 AM	#14
flo7002 Member Member since:May 2007	what brand/speed of drive is in there originally for the 60gb? I'm wanting to upgrade also, and I wonder if getting a 7200rpm would make a noticeable difference.

06-15-2007, 03:39 PM	#18
BluManta Banned Member since:Feb 2007 Location:LONDON, FELTHAM PSN ID: LDUK	Yes. Tho I did a full format which took 9 hours. I think there was no point aswell lol. Yes its easy as pie. Just follow the instructions you get with the ps3.

06-15-2007, 04:11 PM	#19
Rup_Muk Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:136 Blu-ray reviews:24 Trading Score:8	Doesn't the form factor for the HDD need to be 2.5"?

Best PS3 Game Deals