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PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement

What you need

  1. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement, PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 2 PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement, PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

  2. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

  3. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the blue 8 mm Phillips screw securing the hard drive cage to the chassis.

  4. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • 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.

  5. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • 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 remove the damaged screws nicely.

  6. PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

System

Member since: 09/24/09

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