So I plugged in my PS3 and it said it was turned off improperly last time so it needed to check for corrupted data.  It does the check but when it restarts afterwards it freezes and I have to shut it off again and the cycle starts anew.  I ordered a new PS3 (first slim model used only 10x and with GTA5 and a controller for $190), but do you think I'll need a new HDD?  I was gonna try to throw my 500gb in the new one and hope it was one of the other internals that went.  I don't think it was the HDD since I wasn't loading anything and the start menu is what froze each time.  What do you guys think?

Is it a phat PS3? Because if it is, do whatever you can to save you data because mine acted like that before it finally died. I shrugged off other people's cautionary tales because I treat my consoles like royalty and I never expected it to break.

The final nail was when it said I turned it off improperly, did the diagnosis and then turned off. It never worked again. It would power up, the fan would make an exhaling sound, and the light would start flashing red. Wasn't even a YLOD. Game over, man. Game over.

As for whether or not you need a new HDD, the only way I know of is to toss it into the new system and give it a shot. I'm pretty sure the new PS3 will format it, though. Can't tell you anything definite.

A lot of times with HDD data corruption etc. (I've had the issue a few times over two different PS3s) restoring the system will fix the issue. It's a pain in the butt but it has always fixed it for me.

Dude... i just made a thread about this. I have 3 files in my game data that say they are corrupt and i cant get rid of them

I can't even restore it though.  Once it's done checking it says that the data is not corrupted and restarts like normal.  Then as soon as I start going around the XMB it freezes.  This is actually hopeful for my HDD considering it isn't loading anything from it when it freezes.

Does that delete games and save files?