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Forums - Sony Discussion - What should I do if I run out of harddrive space on my ps3?

homer on 12 January 2011
IMU1808 said:
homer said:
IMU1808 said:
alekth said:

100% sure you are allowed to swap the harddrive. I think you even get instructions on how to do it with the ps3 booklet.

You can use external USB drives for video/photos/music, but not play games off them, I think.


This post is 100% correct. The instructions to do so are in the book and it doesn't void the warranty. The last sentence is also true. I have an External hooked up to my PS3 all the time.

So I can not play games directly off an external hard drive? :(    Oh, well, I probably will upgrade my hard drive soon so thanks. Now I just have to find that manual that you spoke of....


It comes with your PS3. Also, I believe that SONY keeps an online version of the manual at playstation.com. And I don't really want to get up and check but I think there's a link to it on the PS3 the same section as the web browser

Thank you.



"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." -My good friend Mark Aurelius

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magent_mx on 12 January 2011

 

You would probably need detailed instructions for each step which you can get with the manual, but in a nutshell this is what I did:
  • If you have an external HDD fist backup using the ps3 backup utility, so you won't have to reinstall everything again and you can still use you previous game saves (of course the drive must have sufficient capacity to hold all of your stuff - just pointing it out :p)
  • Download the latest firmware from sony using a computer to the external HDD as well (or a USB, aprox 160MB)
  • Following the instructions on the manual, physically replace HDD (No void to warranty, the void only applies if you remove the seal on your ps3 as far as I know or hacking)
  • Once you turn on your ps3 it will format the new HDD (erasing everything on it) and ask you for firmware 3.5 or grater (not sure on the actual number, but since you should have the latest it's no big deal) just make sure the external drive is connected.
  • After the ps3 is finished with the clean install just go back to the backup utility to Restore your system using the backup made on the first step.
  • The end, your ps3 should be exactly as before with the exception of a bigger HDD!
Important note, once you start the formating process of the new HDD you cannot reinstall the old HDD without reformatting - effectively loosing all data (unless you backed up)