How To Replace Memory Hardrive On PS3

It's easy to upgrade your gaming life when you know how to replace memory hardrive on PS3. Since the PS3 is like a computer, the hard drive can be swapped for a larger one—and if you know what to do, you won't have to lose a bit of your old drive's data!

You will need:

• Your PS3
• A new PS3 hard drive
• A miniature Phillips head screwdriver
• A medium-sized regular head screwdriver
• An external computer hard drive

1. Plug the external hard drive into your PS3's USB port. The USB ports are located in the lower left corner on the front panel of the PS3.
2. Turn the PS3 on, go to the “Settings” tab, and select “System Settings.” Next select “Backup Utility.” Pick the external hard drive as the place you want to back your files up to, and as soon as you hit the “X” button, your saved game data will all be safely copied onto your external hard drive.
   
3. Remember to save your trophies. The Backup Utility doesn't cover those; to save them, you need to access the “Trophies” menu and sync your PS3 trophies with your online account.
4. Turn off the PS3 and unplug it from the power socket. On the left side panel of the system there is a narrow hatch with a label that reads, “Detach this cover when removing the hard disk.”
5. Using the regular screwdriver, gently pry the hatch open from the right side. There is a small slit there designed to accommodate a screwdriver head.
6. Inside you will see the side of the hard drive, with three small screws. Use the miniature Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew only the one in the center.
7. Fold up the wire clip that is folded over to one side in the center of the hard drive. Gripping it firmly, pull the hard drive to the right until it hits the other wall of the PS3. Pull straight out to remove the hard drive.
8. Insert the new hard drive into the PS3. Use the side grip to pull it all the way to the left, just like you pulled the old drive to the right, and then fold the clip over flat again. Replace the hard drive hatch by inserting the left end first and then pressing the right end down; it will click into place.
9. Plug the PS3 back in and turn it on. Go back to “Backup Utility” in the menu and select “Restore” to regain access to all of your saved data—now with room for more! 

Tips: 

The PS3 system supports any 2.5” hard drive, the standard size for a laptop computer. Laptop hard drives can be purchased online and in many computer supply stores, and can be as large as 500 gigabytes.

The miniature screwdriver can be acquired in your standard eyeglasses repair kit or in many supermarkets and gas stations. Phillips head is the kind of screw with a cross shape imprinted into the top, as opposed to the regular screwdriver's single straight line. You will also need a regular screwdriver, which should be of the standard size you would expect to use on screws.

External hard drives with a USB cable are sold in department stores and computer supply stores; if you already have one, you may still want to buy another for this project, as you'll need to format it to get it to accept your PS3's data. Make sure the external drive is as large as or larger than your PS3's current drive so that there will definitely be enough space to back everything up.

The process of changing the drive is simple and straightforward, and shouldn't take you more than fifteen minutes. Saving your data may take longer, depending on how much you have. If your PS3's hard drive has failed, and you don't have any way to recover your data, then disregard steps one to three and go right to step four, which explains how to change the hard drive itself.