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James79
05-12-2010, 22:25
I have an older model PS3 with a 60GB HDD installed. Unfortunately, it appears that I have nearly filled the HDD and need more room!! Came to light thanks to GT!!

Anyhow - just wodering if anyone had any tips regarding what I should install!! I think its a better option to go for the internal model (backing up previous game saves and settings obviously).

Ive heard that it is safer to stick to a HDD not faster than 5400RPM. What Im not clear about is - what size should I go for!! Is there any limit cos Ive seen a 1TB HDD and it isnt much dearer than the 500GB - 700GB models!!

Cheers!!

Zing
05-12-2010, 22:27
I bought a 640 gig western digital from Ebuyer for around 55 quid and installed that in mine

James79
05-12-2010, 22:30
Thanks - I have to laugh - Im unlikely to fill a 500GB HDD never mind a 1TB!!

This is all GT5's fault!! ;)

BenMcr
05-12-2010, 22:34
You need to make sure it's a 9.5mm high drive and not 12.5mm - as it won't fit

James79
05-12-2010, 22:36
Best to find one with "Compatible with PS3" touted on it??!!

BenMcr
05-12-2010, 22:38
Yup, although make sure they aren't trying to mark it up because of that!

James79
05-12-2010, 22:41
Is it safer to stick to any particular brand names? Ive heard Seagate works well?!

Tezcatlipoca
05-12-2010, 23:55
I used a Western Digital drive, & I've heard good things about Seagate, too.

SATA, 5400rpm, & (as BenMrc said) 9.5mm not 12.5mm.

Ravenheart
06-12-2010, 10:35
I've upgraded a few friends older PS3 drives with the WD Scorpio Blue range of drives. I think the 120gb I got recently for a friends machine was under £25.

Jayster
06-12-2010, 17:30
Is it safer to stick to any particular brand names? Ive heard Seagate works well?!

Seagate or WD both good as hdd's and I have heard both work.

James79
09-12-2010, 20:53
Thanks folks - had a good look online and saw alot of good reviews for a samsung 640GB drive - so have ordered that one!!

Just an additional query - I have seen that in some cases, when the PS3 is restarted after that HDD has been changed, the system software need to be downloaded from a USB datastick.

I understand that the USB datastick has to be formatted in FAT32 (to allow the PS3 to recognise it). Basically, I have noticed that the (relatively new - less than a year old) datastick that I have is in "FAT" format. "Properties" does not specify "FAT32"!!

Will this make a difference, or should I reformat to "FAT32" just in case??

Thanks again!!

Tezcatlipoca
09-12-2010, 21:34
I don't know if it will make a difference, but I'd reformat in FAT32 anyway.

After you've formatted it, create the following folder within the root: "PS3"

And, within "PS3", create another folder: "UPDATE".

Grab the latest PS3 System Software from the official website (it seems to be down for me at the moment, so I can't find the link for you - it is easy to find though), and move the file ("PS3UPDAT.PUP") to the "UPDATE" folder on the USB stick.

The path should therefore be... "USBSTICKNAME:\PS3\UPDATE\PS3UPDAT.PUP"

James79
09-12-2010, 22:47
Thanks Matt.

Got the System Software alright - now all I have to do is await delivery of the HDD and dig out the old Philips Screwdriver!!

Tezcatlipoca
10-12-2010, 01:04
Good good. It's an easy job :)

James79
10-12-2010, 23:23
The HDD arrived today, so got the philips screwdriver out to start the replacement. Thing is, the blue screw won't budge!! Tried for a while, but concerned that if I try anymore, I'll strip the head of the screw!!

Any tips in getting the screws out without stripping them or in the event that they get stripped??!!

wwe
10-12-2010, 23:36
i brought the 60gb had to put a new memory disk in last year as i needed more space its easy to put in the hard thing is backing it all up. i have to buy the memory thing of ebay which would back it all up so i could upload it all back on

James79
11-12-2010, 14:26
Finally got the screws to loosen - all screwheads more or less intact!! New HDD fitted and currently restoring the game saves etc!! Checked System Info before the restore - have just under 600GB of space!!

philwhite100
11-12-2010, 14:48
I once watched a vide on Youtube of how to do it. I am sure it will still be there so have a look. One thing i do remember is that it will only work with a 5400rpm Hard Drive.

here is a link that might help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As55u2cBM0Y

Rewtor
15-12-2010, 12:09
I'm going to be doing this shortly as I have the 40GB, I have heard that the 7200rpm HDD's work fine? I'd like to use one of those if this is true as loading from the HDD seems to take quite a while in some situations...

Also I have some game saves which I tried to put onto a USB drive and it says that they are copy protected? How can I get these off? Most notably my NFS Undercover save which is 100% complete

James79
15-12-2010, 12:36
Apparently the 7200RPM drives will work, but they will run at 5400RPM - well that's what I've been told anyway!! Also, as an earlier post advised, make sure the new drive is 9.5mm high and not 12.5mm as it won't fit!!

Regarding your backup - it's advisable to save (using the backup facility) onto an external hard drive - they aren't too expensive these days!! You'll need at least 40GB as this us the size of your old drive!!

Hope this helps!!

Rewtor
15-12-2010, 12:47
Thanks James, but will this also backup the "copy protected" saves?

James79
15-12-2010, 14:44
Should do, the copy protected status shouldn't matter when backing up and restoring to a new hard drive working the same system.

Remember - be very careful with the screws!!!