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How to format your PS3 hard drive on a PC?
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tapdatast
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11. December 2008 @ 21:24 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Dude. I need that. You say it's an older version? What version? Do you think the older version is the reason it worked?

A small profit is no loss.
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emugamer
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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12. December 2008 @ 07:54 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by tapdatast:
Dude. I need that. You say it's an older version? What version? Do you think the older version is the reason it worked?
No, I just mentioned that it was an older version because it's the only one I have. I never upgraded. There's a newer version out. I may upgrade eventually. I'll have to get back to you on the version I have later on tonight if you really want to know. Although if you just get the newer version, it would probably work. I honestly don't see why any of those formatting utilities (outside of Windows Disk Management) would not work. I just happened to have Paragon. I didn't get Paragon just to format the PS3 HDD.
medionpva
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18. December 2008 @ 22:47 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Just a heads up all.

If you want to format your external hard drives in FAT32, use a mac with the current operating system on it.

You can format as big as 1tb (biggest I have done) and it will read on a PS3, pc, mac, etc.

Hope it helps.
Phantom7
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24. January 2009 @ 06:53 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Gordner,

Were you able to get the PS3 to work again. I did the same thing and it won't even let me do a system reset with the power switch (2 beeps). So if anyone can tell me what I can do to fix it let me know. It kept staying in an upgrade loop and I couldn't get it to stop.
raebie
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16. March 2009 @ 14:52 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I was hoping to use swissknife to format an external hard drive 250gb
to back up my ps3 data but every file i found for swissknife is infected. i use a site called http://virusscan.jotti.org/ it is picking up a trojan dropper in every file for swissknife i have downloaded i even used the link someone provided above and still the same result. Here is the scan result

Scan taken on 16 Mar 2009 18:47:57 (GMT)
A-Squared Found nothing
AntiVir Found nothing
ArcaVir Found nothing
Avast Found nothing
AVG Antivirus Found nothing
BitDefender Found nothing
ClamAV Found nothing
CPsecure Found Troj.Dropper.W32.Binder.aa
Dr.Web Found nothing
F-Prot Antivirus Found nothing
F-Secure Anti-Virus Found nothing
Ikarus Found nothing
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Found nothing
NOD32 Found nothing
Norman Virus Control Found nothing
Panda Antivirus Found nothing
Quick Heal Found nothing
Sophos Antivirus Found nothing
VirusBuster Found nothing
VBA32 Found nothing

is there any other program that can format a 250gb hd in fat 32


p.raeburn
emugamer
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16. March 2009 @ 16:00 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I can PM you tonight when I get home. I'll upload a small windows program I use to rapidshare and send you the link. It's freeware, but I don't remember the name right now. It's a command promt program. All you do is open up the command prompt and type a simple instruction to format. Very quick. I've done a 500GB HDD with it.
raebie
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16. March 2009 @ 16:12 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Thank u very much for that and it can do a 250 gb hard drive to fat 32 great stuff. Can you explain exactly how to use it thanks i am not very good with kind of stuff.Do i just plug the external hd into usb port then use command prompt to do it. Does it work with windows vista

p.raeburn

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16. March 2009 @ 16:20

disturber
Newbie
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30. June 2009 @ 12:09 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I tried my 40gb hard drive and when I plug it in with usb it just beeps. Swissknife won't detect it, nothing does. What do I do?
disturber
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30. June 2009 @ 12:30 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Nevermind, I figured it out. Thanks for the help! Very informative.
Alam1986
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22. September 2009 @ 12:09 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by disturber:
Nevermind, I figured it out. Thanks for the help! Very informative.
Hey there

Can you please enlighten us, how you completed the ps3 oem harddrive format on a PC!!!! am stuck as well are a number of members.

Cheers,

Alam
raebie
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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23. September 2009 @ 14:16 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Anyone that wants to know how to format an external hd for use with ps3 use this fat32format program and this tutorial

http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm

hope this helps
I would not use swiss knife all files i downloaded where infected

p.raeburn

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. September 2009 @ 14:18

MetalLife
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9. October 2009 @ 11:22 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Hi all, joined JUST for this discussion, my query is particular and different, along same lines. I bought a refurbed PS3, it doesn't like GTA4 game anymore so I am opting to sell but without my long in use HDD, I hope to swap that to another older 60GB PS3, now is that problem if the hardware is identical except for firmware flashing? I notice my name is still in the firmware with a new drive I am formatting on PS3.

The other end of it is I am new to SATA drives of any type. I normally use PATA systems. I am taking a laptop SATA (only just got that system!) and put the drive on my PS3 to try it and format it, now I am back on PC with it hoping to put Windows XP clean install, I can't get it to work, but right now cleared things out with a floppy boot to the FDISK Windows utility, it's all that will read it on my end.

Let me know what my options are ASAP, as I am hoping to sell and make some money for my rent, lost my job in the recession!

Hello AND Goodbye
tapdatast
Newbie
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9. October 2009 @ 11:38 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I'm not sure what you want here. Your message is a little confusing.
You want to know how to format an sata hdd?

A small profit is no loss.
tapdatast
Newbie
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9. October 2009 @ 12:02 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
By the way. I figured this all out.
All I did was go into my computer's case and hook the HDdd from the PS3 up directly...not usb. Then I formatted it FAT32 style..Walla!

And. I just found software that can get past the 32G wall and make a AT32 as big as you want (up to 4T).
That software is [url=http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/index.html][/url]
It works great. I now have a 120G thumbstick.
Thanks guys. case closed.

A small profit is no loss.
imanewguy
Member
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11. October 2009 @ 20:51 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
hey guys im looking to buy an enclosure for my old ps3 80 gig hard drive

can someone recommend an enclosure that is both compatible and inexpensive? im also interested in learning more about formatting it
tapdatast
Newbie
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11. October 2009 @ 21:53 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
If your looking for any ps3 parts then ebay for non working ps3's is the way to go.
If you want to format the ps3 then just go into your Ps3 settings and choose format.
If you want to install a new hdd and then formatt it, then just throw it in. Use a flash stick with the latest update and plug it in. Turn on tye ps3 and follow the instructuons thatappear before you.

A small profit is no loss.
MetalLife
Newbie
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11. October 2009 @ 23:42 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by tapdatast:
I'm not sure what you want here. Your message is a little confusing.
You want to know how to format an sata hdd?
What I mainly am needing to know, if if a swap from 60gb to 60gb matching system will work in restoring the saves and content on that gaming drive, not as a PC drive, external, but PS3 internal on a different system. I am selling the PS3 to pay the rent, then buying later when I get a FT job again, I'm having trouble with that and as such, have to likely sell my gaming systems for the time being. I would like to save the data off it if not the case. I typically confirm things if I can, and I did see that a laptop drive worked in the 60GB, upping the storage to 120GB. (and 7200 rpm!)

Hello AND Goodbye
tapdatast
Newbie
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12. October 2009 @ 01:12 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Ok got ya.
First. Sadly. No. Saving one ps3's content is not possible using a ps3 hard drive to another. The PS3 will always format the new hdd thus erasing any datta.
BUT! If you use the back up option on the ps3 and save that to an external fat32 hdd (you only need about 10G for the basic saves) you can save your settings and game saves.
Movies and music and pics can be saved this way too but you will need to buy a bigger hdd "just for flash saving".
Then, you got to break the FAT32 barrier( I explained it two posts back).
But your a little down on quid so that won't work.
The format option on the ps3 is for A: an external flash drive. Or B: savings your stuff on a small portion of the PS3 and formating the rest. Method B is only good "if" the HDD is going to stay in the PS3. Once its out. The whole thing gets formatted on the install. No way around it.
Yes. You can use any notebook HDD in the PS3. They are the little thin ones and are otherwise called 2.5 note book hard drives.
A 7200rpm will work "but" and I say "maybe" the 7200's run a little hot for a PS3 and you might want to use 5200 instead, just a rumor I heard.
SO. Take the notebook hdd you have. Formatt the whole thing as a FAT32 using the method I posted earlier. Use it to back up ur PS3 externaly. Save that info like a gods grail and good luck with the job search.

A small profit is no loss.
tapdatast
Newbie
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12. October 2009 @ 01:25 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Oh. And be sure to format your ps3 after you save all the info on the external.
Then deactivate it. Helps keep you clean while its in someone elses hands.

A small profit is no loss.
tapdatast
Newbie
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12. October 2009 @ 01:52 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by imanewguy:
hey guys im looking to buy an enclosure for my old ps3 80 gig hard drive

can someone recommend an enclosure that is both compatible and inexpensive? im also interested in learning more about formatting it

I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention earlier.
To answer your question properly. An external hard drive enclosure costs anywhere between $20-$75 dollars.
This depends on what you want. An internal fan? No fan? A case for a normal 3.5 HDD? Or a case for 2.5 notebook HDD?
You want a case for a 2.5 notebook HDD. It comes with a double ended usb cord so that you can draw extra power to run the HDD if need be...ubut you won't need more than the one plugged in.
Formatting! Ok this is the goofy part.
Soneys hdd's are specially formatted with their own software so that they can not be seen sometimes by computer when attached to that computer through usb.
Some do. Some don't. I have run into both which is what made this thread so long in the first place.
If it won't show up ob the computer then attach it through one of the internal cables like the one your computer already uses.
If it gets recognised through the usb then great.
Next. You can go to disk management settings on your computer using windows and formatt it in a FAT32 method and all you get is 32G out of it "or" you can go to Fat32Formatter website and use their software to break that FAT32 barrier and use the whole HDD space as a Flash drive.
Because....remember your PS3 will only recognise flash (FA32) drives externally.
If its not for the ps3 and only for the computer then use the same disk management in windows and formatt it in NTSC. It uses the whole HDD but the PS3 won't recognise it.
No matter what they say. Stay away from swisskniff....more or less its garbage.
Good luck.

A small profit is no loss.
Alagory
Newbie
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6. January 2010 @ 00:37 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
What you need to do is: Initialize Disk.

To initialize new disks
Open Computer Management (Local) (Right Click on My Computer, the Click Manage).

In the console tree, click Disk Management:
Computer Management (Local)
Storage
Disk Management

Right-click the disk you want to initialize, and then click Initialize Disk.
In the Initialize Disk dialog box, select the disk(s) to initialize.
The disk is initialized as a basic disk.

Now you should be able to see it and Format it.


www.tricitysaver.com
RakeBall
Newbie
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25. January 2010 @ 19:01 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
hey yall, I'm found this through google and had a question.

What cord do I need to hook up my hard drive from the ps3 80gb to the computer. The Usb cord that plugs into the controller doesn't fit so I want to know what the exact name of the cord plugs into the hard drive to reformat
Alagory
Newbie
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26. January 2010 @ 11:16 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Try using a external hard drive case for a sata laptop drives.
Or if your a real noob. Try going to www.myhackers.info they can swap or upgrade your ps3 drive for you. They helped me. Good luck!
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blueskies369
Newbie
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9. April 2010 @ 05:36 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
All you have to do is run CMD.EXE in administrator, and format the disk to fat32
to make it bootable it is a simple line of commands.
diskpart
list disk
select disk (X)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=fat32
assign
exit


It's that simple.
 
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