Official PS3 Hard Drive Discussion Thread

Featured 27137 Views 619 Posts Playstation 3 Hardware

Kudos: 21,025

Due to the large amount of threads talking about the PS3 hard drive and replacing it, I decided to make a central thread for all discussion about the PS3’s HDD. So please use this thread for all talk and queries about the PS3’s hard drive.

If you want to know how to replace your HDD check out this guide here www.wpw.com.au/

18/08/2008

Central Coast

Kudos: 14

mharlow

I have a used Fujitsu 2.5 Sata Drive. Do I need to format this first before installing into the PS3 or does the PS3 format it automatically? If I need to format it first how do I go about it?

10/09/2008

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 41,298

wutang01

The PS3 will force you to format it if it hasn't already

Don't worry, just install it and the PS3 will prompt you

10/09/2008

Leave a comment

Kudos: 4,031

Jonesy7707

mharlow said: I have a used Fujitsu 2.5 Sata Drive. Do I need to format this first before installing into the PS3 or does the PS3 format it automatically? If I need to format it first how do I go about it?

The PS3 will format the HDD once you put it in.

10/09/2008

Home of the MIGHTY ROOOAAARRRR!! - PSN: The_Kid7780

Kudos: 14

mharlow

I just purchased a external Hard Drive to back up my data before I upgrade the Hard Drive and when I plug it in the PS3 does not pick up the drive. Is there anything I need to do to the Hard Drive so that it is recognised by the PS3.

10/09/2008

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 41,298

wutang01

mharlow said: I just purchased a external Hard Drive to back up my data before I upgrade the Hard Drive and when I plug it in the PS3 does not pick up the drive. Is there anything I need to do to the Hard Drive so that it is recognised by the PS3.

Is it formatted as a FAT32 drive or a NTFS? You can check on your computer, but the Playstation 3 only reads FAT32 drives.

10/09/2008

Kudos: 75,060

Matrix6

mharlow said: I just purchased a external Hard Drive to back up my data before I upgrade the Hard Drive and when I plug it in the PS3 does not pick up the drive. Is there anything I need to do to the Hard Drive so that it is recognised by the PS3.

What brand is it?
Western Digital external hdd are formatted as a FAT32 as standard, it'll plug 'n' play instantaneously to your PS3 (no need to format!)

Go back to the store and exchange it for a trust WD brand!

10/09/2008

The Last Story VI: Temptress In Azure

Kudos: 50,297

Nintendo

Or don't return it and just format it to FAT32. EASY! Use Swissknife, it's rad, mate!!! I do!

10/09/2008

I <3 JXD S7300B ~ SONY PS Vita ~ SONY PS4 ~ Nintendo 3DS XL ~ Samsung GALAXY Note 8

Kudos: 974

adbub

I'm off to buy an internal drive tomorrow. Does the PS3 take a 500GB??

10/09/2008

Australia

Kudos: 75,060

Matrix6

adbub said: I'm off to buy an internal drive tomorrow. Does the PS3 take a 500GB??

Can't see why not. It can read 1Tb externals!

10/09/2008

The Last Story VI: Temptress In Azure

Kudos: 50,297

Nintendo

adbub said: I'm off to buy an INTERNAL drive tomorrow. Does the PS3 take a 500GB??

Atm, Yes...that's the max. We should be seeing 750GB and 1TB SATA's in the near future though... @ Matrix INTERNAL

10/09/2008

I <3 JXD S7300B ~ SONY PS Vita ~ SONY PS4 ~ Nintendo 3DS XL ~ Samsung GALAXY Note 8

Leave a comment

Kudos: 974

adbub

sweet thanks sony!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10/09/2008

Australia

Kudos: 50,297

Nintendo

You're welcome. Nothing but the best service from me, champ.

10/09/2008

I <3 JXD S7300B ~ SONY PS Vita ~ SONY PS4 ~ Nintendo 3DS XL ~ Samsung GALAXY Note 8

Kudos: 735

kusherl

Hey guys, I'm sure this has all been asked before but I don't want to go through all of the posts in the thread.

For an External Hard Drive, Format needs to be FAT32?
For a new Internal Hard Drive, Format needs to be SATA?

Biggest Internal Drive to get for a PS3 is a 500GB?

And All I need to do is remove my existing hard drive from my PS3 and install a new SATA drive and the PS3 will automaticaly format?

I knwo there was a guide but I can't find the link or forum. The search keeps timing out

12/09/2008

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 2,401

parso71

kursherl,
Yes, ext HDD NEEDS to be FAT32 and also ANY other drive that you connect to the PS3(Flash Drive). SATA isn't a format, it is a form or model of a drive(Serial ATA, which can be linked together inline, that is what the serial stands for).I am pretty sure most drives are SATA's these days. Has to be a 2.5" too not a 3.5" that goes into a standard PC.
Click the "WPW" link at the start of the thread. I wrote the article to the best of my ability.
Hope that helps mate!

12/09/2008

Gold Coast, Queensland

Kudos: 735

kusherl

Thanks Parso71.

Just read through your upgrade guide and it explains everything beautifully.

With the new Internal Drive, is there any concern with the amount of heat larger drives may produce in the PS3?

12/09/2008

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 2,401

parso71

Some say the larger the HDD capacity, the more heat produced. I guess that is true. As long as your PS isn't confined in a small cabinet with not much air circulation it should be fine. People have also mentioned that 500Gb is the largest drive you could put in. I am not sure about this either and I am not willing to pay for that large size drive only to find out it doesn't work. I think there would be people on this site that have put in 500Gigger and it works fine. All the best in your upgrade mate. Just watch those screws in the HDD cradle as I have mentioned numerous times. Get a good screwdriver kit for this purpose.
Doesn't matter what HDD brand you buy either. Sony have used Samsung drives but I bought a WD as they have been quoted as running very quiet and I have had no probs with mine.
Cheers!

12/09/2008

Gold Coast, Queensland

Kudos: 2,401

parso71

Also kusherl, make sure you keep your old drive cause if something goes wrong with your PS is the future and you have to send it in to Sony to get fixed, you must re-install the old drive for warranty purposes. In other words don't sell it/trash it/ throw it away.

12/09/2008

Gold Coast, Queensland

Kudos: 735

kusherl

Awesome!

I was a little concerned with the heat issue so I think I'll head your advice and limit myself to a 320Gb drive.

Got the Screwdirvers covered. Was lucky enough to be given a swiss army knife a couple of years back that was specifically made with PC related attachments. One of the best presents I have ever received.

Looks like im of to MSY as soon as I get paid!

12/09/2008

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 2,401

parso71

Take your time doing the install and be aware that once the new drive is in you will loose quite a few Gb thanks to the PS3's operating system going on your new HDD.

12/09/2008

Gold Coast, Queensland

Kudos: 735

kusherl

You always lose Hard Drive space when you install any O/S.

Can't wait to get paid now so I can free up some media data of my PC and move across to my PS3!

12/09/2008

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 735

kusherl

Thanks for all your help Parso71!

12/09/2008

Brisbane, Queensland

Kudos: 2,401

parso71

Thats cool kusherl, I always get help from the great people on this site if I have problems with anything PS. I wrote the guide cause I couldn't find anything as detailed on the net. You can find plenty of vids about it but they never go into real detail.
I used a 500Gb ext. HDD to backup to and a flash drive to install the latest firmware on. That guide should help you out and NO WORRIES!!!

12/09/2008

Gold Coast, Queensland

Kudos: 13,934

rivalZone

So as long as it's 2.5" I will be ok?

Will this one be ok,
cgi.ebay.com.au/

or this?
cgi.ebay.com.au/

19/09/2008

Stratford, Vic

Kudos: 16,978

-PAYZEE-

i also have found these that i am planning on getting: cgi.ebay.com.au/

19/09/2008

...dancing in the meteor shower with no pants on at the end of the multiverse...

Kudos: 3,429

Vatoloco

I bought mine on MSY. I was looking for WD but its all ot of stock. Ended up buying 320GB Samsung drive for $105. Then I bought some $8 enclosure for the 40GB drive from my ps3. All sweet.

20/09/2008

Sydney