Question about formatting a 3.5" external HDD with PS3 file system.

[Mega-Prime]

I know, I know... External drives "have" to be formatted in FAT32, but something's been no my mind for a few months & I just can't shake it.

If someone were to connect a 3.5" drive to their PS3 using this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB8628tuL50 , formatted it... put the original 2.5" drive back into the PS3 & put the newly formatted 3.5" in a external HDD enclosure to use as a USB external drive, would the PS3 recognise it as a drive formatted in the PS3 file system? Therefore breaking the 4gig FAT32 size limit?

Don't know if this has been asked before or if anybody's ever tried it...

Just a thought,

[hellmonkey]

Originally Posted by Mega-Prime

I know, I know... External drives "have" to be formatted in FAT32, but something's been no my mind for a few months & I just can't shake it.

If someone were to connect a 3.5" drive to their PS3 using this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB8628tuL50 , formatted it... put the original 2.5" drive back into the PS3 & put the newly formatted 3.5" in a external HDD enclosure to use as a USB external drive, would the PS3 recognise it as a drive formatted in the PS3 file system? Therefore breaking the 4gig FAT32 size limit?

Don't know if this has been asked before or if anybody's ever tried it...

Just a thought,

FAT32 has a size limit of 8TB. Im have no idea what the software size limit is on the ps3, but limit is 8TB with 32k clusters, and 2 TB with 512k clusters. Not sure what size clusters the ps3 use. Ive hooked up my 8GB flash drive to my ps3 and it works just fine. Its how i copied all my music over.

[Mega-Prime]

Originally Posted by hellmonkey

FAT32 has a size limit of 8TB. Im have no idea what the software size limit is on the ps3, but limit is 8TB with 32k clusters, and 2 TB with 512k clusters. Not sure what size clusters the ps3 use. Ive hooked up my 8GB flash drive to my ps3 and it works just fine. Its how i copied all my music over.

Yes, but individual files can't go over 4GB in size using FAT32.

That means, if you have a video that's bigger than 4 Gigs, you would need to split it into smaller pieces before putting it/them onto your external drive.

The thing is though, you can fit larger sized files directly onto you PS3 hard drive, either by copying them over your network or from data DVDs.

[WriteSimply]

You could try it out yourself using a smaller drive - quicker format - but I doubt it would work for two reasons:

1) the USB ports is assigned for external HDDs only which includes flashdrives and external HDDs of any size so long as it is FAT32. The fact that it doesn't recognize NTFS speaks something.

2) the firmware would put identifying data telling the system that the HDD is hardwired to the PS3 as its main HDD. Once you use the 3.5" as an external, it's no longer hardwired and no longer seen as the HDD that's "inside" the PS3.

I don't have a spare HDD to try but you're welcomed to.


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