For redwurd - fat32 formatter for Vista

[UntowThet]

www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm

Works like a charm. Just click the picture and hit format. Should do it in a matter of minutes/seconds.

[redwurd]

Thanks Untow after a few failed attempts at downloading the fat32 formatter (my computer is a piece of crap) I have finally formatted my new 1 Terabyte Hard Drive (which sounds like some formidable dinosaur) .
Is there any firmware that you would recommend to use with a memory stick (it's 8GB) & please keep in mind that I or my computer is not technically savvy & this whole upgrading my PS3 and actually sticking my hands inside it to play silly bugger is a bit daunting to say the least. I have a healthy respect/fear of computers (in other words I would gladly pay some computer nerd to do this for me =P) and I would hate to do irreversible damage to my beloved PS3 but I'll give it a go (starts putting aside funds to purchase a new PS3....)

[UntowThet]

Ok now that you've formatted the HD, plug the USB cable into your PS3 and run the backup utility. This will take a while cos it copies everything on your current PS3 hard drive onto the terrabyte.

Next, The firmware you need to get is on the playstation website. us.playstation.com and search for the latest PS3 firmware. Insert your USB drive into the PC and on your drive, you will have to create a folder called PS3 in there. In the PS3 folder you will need to create another one called UPDATE. Then download the latest firmware and save it onto your USB drive in the UPDATE folder.

Right now you should be ready for the not so hard part.

Unplug your ps3 then open up the hatch on the side of the PS3. This should slide open easily. Then depending on the make of your PS3 phat, you will either have one screw to undo or a lever to pull or a combination of both to take the old hard drive out - do that.

When it comes out you'll see that it's a standard SATA drive screwed into a cradle. Unscrew the screws holding it in the cradle - this may take a while as they are usually screwed in tightly. Then screw in your NEW hard drive in the cradle then slot it back into the machine and put the latch cover back on.

Power up your PS3. Make sure you have your controller handy and that it's connected via a USB chord.

Your ps3 will then say "NEW HD detected, format?" you say "Yes"

Once it's formatted it will then ask "please insert USB media with firmware 3.40 or later" When it does, shove your USB drive in. This will install the PS3 operating system onto your new hard drive.

Once it's complete it will ask whether or not you've had backed up media you want to restore to your PS3. Get your terrabyte and plug it in. This will load everything from your old HD onto your new HD. This will take quite a while and may appear to be frozen in parts - just be patient. Once backup data is restored, it should reboot and then load as normal.

Now you will have your PS3 with a brand spankin new 500 gig hard drive on it

Good luck! It's not as hard as it sounds, just takes a bit of patience

[redwurd]

Ugh slight glitch or hiccup.....
I believed that I downloaded the latest 3.41 update from the Playstation website & saved it
on my memory stick, & I already put the new 500 GB HD in my PS3.
When I turned on my PS3 instead of saying new HD found it said No
applicable data found. Connect storage media that contains update of version
3.41 or later, and then press the START and SELECT buttons at the same time.
Now I made a folder PS3 UPDATE on my Terabyte HD & hooked it up to my PS3 and still got
the No applicable update data found.
So um what the bloody hell am I doing wrong?
I've downloaded the 3.41 version several times & did the PS3 folder with UPDATE.
Any help would be greatly appreciated cuz I'm at the point of cluelessness =p

[UntowThet]

ugh talk about bad timing. A news item has been posted today that the latest firmware update is restricting people from upgrading hard drives. You'll have to use your old one until it's resolved. You've followed all the right steps but it's not your fault :/

www.vgrevolution.com/2010/07/ps3-firmware-3-41-causing-issues-when-installing-new-hard-drive/

[redwurd]

well whew!!!
it's always reassuring to know that I'm not a complete idiot.
I'll just have to switch my old HD again & just wait patiently for them to fix the update =P

[UntowThet]

Hey Red

There has been a new firmware fix so you can now upgrade your HD. You just need to replace the old firmware file with the new one

Best of luck!

[redwurd]

BLOODY BUGGERING BLUE BALLS!!!
I downloaded the new 3.41 UPDATE (& yes I deleted the old 3.41 update from before) & attempted yet again to install my shiny new 500 GB HD into my PS3 & after I turn it on it still says No applicable data found!!!
I'll wait till they fix the update again (because I really can't do anything else). I'm just getting a little annoyed with playing silly bugger with my PS3

[UntowThet]

Ok then you've got one of two options to make sure you can update it and you need to considering more and more PS3 content has a whole lot of DLC content.

CD Method

Burn a CD that has the following file/folder system in it:

PS3 - UPDATE - UPDATE FILE

When you get prompted to insert media, you can shove your burnt disc in there and it should recognise this. However several users have reported their PS3 not recognising the disc. Otherwise there's the USB Method

PS3 - UPDATE - Update file.

You mentioned that the PS3 didn't like your newer USB disc. This may be 'cos it's formatted as an NTFS USB drive. I don't know why it would have been but stranger things have happened. If you're too adverse to formatting it to FAT32, then I'd suggest using an OLD USB drive and creating the ncessary folders. You will need at least 168MB free in order to copy the full file over.

For further detailed info on the update process, go to: us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/pc_update/index.htm

Good luck!

[redwurd]

Thanks Untow for all the hand holding and the talking off the ledge.

I have my smexy new 500 GB in my PS3 & spent the whole night downloading DC Universe Online demo. Maybe when I create my first hero it will be a crusading Kiwi with the powers over machines and I'll call him Hard Thet Drive.

[BulgarianMenace]

That blue bolt is such a bitch right now...