PS3 PS3 1.75 tb internal hdd upgrade formatting utility

[Vegeta]

I just followed this guide and it all worked perfectly.

Create a bootable HDAT2 disc. (I used Ultimate boot CD)
Boot usb from BIOS.
Plug in HDD.
Have HDAT2 search for hardware.
Open HPA and insert allocated memory amount above, then set it.
Format your PS3 to 4.46.
Jam in the new HDD and format.
Then upgrade back to 4.82.
Done.

Boot disc instructions are available on the ultimate boot CD website, but there are also other tools you can use.

The biggest pain is if you have a pre-existing PS3 HDD and transferring everything back to the new one.

Does it have to be OFW 4.46 or CFW 4.46?

Going to try this with a spare 2TB Seagate drive I have.

 

[oxitran]

Does it have to be OFW 4.46 or CFW 4.46?

Going to try this with a spare 2TB Seagate drive I have.

Either would work but for the sake of keeping you hacks just use CFW.

 

[Vegeta]

It isn't working for me. The hard drive I used was a 2TB Seagate ST2000LM003 on a 2500 series Slim. I'm getting the hard drive not compatible error message.

Which hard drive model did you use oxitran?

 

[sandungas]

The trick is about using the HPA (high protected area) setting in he hdd BIOS to reduce the capacity of the hdd
For the tests you can just reduce the available area to only 500GB or so... for the first test in not needed to be picky... if that works you can try later with bigger sizes (near 1.5tb)

And the easyer way to see if the HPA modification was applyed correctly is by connecting the hdd to a pc... it should show "only" the capacity you allowed

After verifying that in PC... if you connect it to PS3 and still is not working... well... then that hdd is not compatible with PS3

 

[oxitran]

It isn't working for me. The hard drive I used was a 2TB Seagate ST2000LM003 on a 2500 series Slim. I'm getting the hard drive not compatible error message.

Which hard drive model did you use oxitran?

I'am using the exact same drive, but mine is about 4 years old now, but never used until now. What CFW are you using? I have heard issues formatting when using rebug, but I had no such issue. Check the size is exactly as stated above using HPA to shrink it.

 

[Vegeta]

The hard drive was setup fine. I flashed Rogero v4.46 CFW instead and the drive formatted properly.

 

[ecto]

I have a similar problem as the OP.
I have a 1.5tb hdd, and at every forced shutdown (quite often after large FTP transfers etc.) the file system check pops up at the system start but immediately is aborted (the bar doen't fill up, only some message like "operation successful" or some such is writtend at the bottom).
My error was to force a check through the service menu, as I thought a file system check would be a good thing. Well, I lost all my data since I had to format my hdd completely after that.
So here's my question: If I cannot make a file system check, the file system will (probably) be corrupted at some later point. Should I still disable it in the debug options, or is it possible to downgrade to 4.55 (?) and do the FScheck from there? Should I make regular backups?

Sorry, I'm new with CFW (only had it for 2 weeks or so), but I'd rather not make the same mistake twice, as I had a lot installed on that hdd...

Cheers!

 

[JYA]

Sorry if this is off topic, and doesn't really solve the problem of having to downgrade to use larger drives. But I have discovered a way to use as much as 1.86TB. No such disk exists, and as you're aware, the PS3 can't simply partition the disk to use only the max supported space on a 2TB. However, it IS possible to modify a disk's firmware to make it appear to the PS3 as a smaller disk than it really is. To do this you have to take advantage of a feature set in the ATA specification to create a "host protected area" on the disk that is hidden from the PS3 (and most operating systems). A 2TB disk has 3907029168 sectors. Reducing this by 7% to 3633537126 sectors will allow a PS3 running 4.46 firmware to format and successfully boot using such a disk. That seems to be the absolute limit. Any higher than that, the PS3 will format a larger size than that, but it will black screen on boot (believe me, I tried through trial and error, and had to blank the first few sectors on the disk after each attempt to make the PS3 boot again each time I'd formatted with a larger size than the PS3's kernel would accept as valid, in between each time I'd changed the max sector count!) Upgrading the PS3's firmware as far as the latest (at time of writing) Rebug lite 4.82 from that point on, and it remains fully functional.
Why would you want to do this, wasting 7% of a 2TB disk? Well, consider the fact that 1.75TB disks are getting very scarce, 1.5TB disks will likely go the same way. 2TB disks are cheaper in my experience and will likely be the easiest to get hold of going forward. This is one way you can get the maximum possible space for your PS3. Note: this was tested on CECHA and CECHC models. I cannot speak for later models, so you may get different results and have to try different max sizes on newer models. To set the max sector size, you will need a program capable of sending raw ATA commands to the hard drive. I personally used HDAT2 on a DOS bootable USB stick. One more note: you may have to plug the disk into the computer *after* it has booted into DOS from your USB stick. Most modern motherboards' BIOS automatically issue a "freeze lock" command at POST to lock these disk settings down, possibly to prevent viruses tampering with your hard drive. Either way, it forces you to have physical access to the inside of your computer while you're doing this. Also, you MUST connect using a SATA cable, you CANNOT do this with the drive connected via USB. If anyone would like a tutorial on how to use this information, please let me know.

First of all, thanks! I was able to use 2tb firecuda and set the HPA to 1.86TB. However, when formatted I only got 1541GB / 1732 GB. I'm guessing this is the highest it can get? I was under the impression that it would reach at least 1850 GB or something tops. Did you get the same 1732 GB max too?

I was able to get to it to work on my console that is the slim version with 4.46 cfw to latest 4.82.2 rebug

 

[sandungas]

First of all, thanks! I was able to use 2tb firecuda and set the HPA to 1.86TB. However, when formatted I only got 1541GB / 1732 GB. I'm guessing this is the highest it can get? I was under the impression that it would reach at least 1850 GB or something tops. Did you get the same 1732 GB max too?

I was able to get to it to work on my console that is the slim version with 4.46 cfw to latest 4.82.2 rebug

Now that you have the new hdd empty (so you cant lose any content of it), can you try to enter "recovery menu" and use the option "restore filesystem" ?

 

[JYA]

Now that you have the new hdd empty (so you cant lose any content of it), can you try to enter "recovery menu" and use the option "restore filesystem" ?

Well my hard drive got corrupted after trying to transfer 120gb of games into it. It froze around 80 gb of transfer. After restarting, it kept on giving black screen then froze.

I tried going into recovery menu but it said something cannot detect hard drive or not compatible.

I put back the old hard drive then downgraded to 4.46. Placed the new 2tb again and it was able to detect the hard drive. However, the hard drive was corrupted to I went to the recovery menu and fix the file system. It says hard drive is corrupted and will need a reformat.

It looks to be that recovery menu will work on 4.46 using the 2tb firecuda but not using the latest 4.82.2.

I'm thinking about maybe transferring all files first while 4.46 then upgrade to 4.82.2.

 

[JYA]

Well my hard drive got corrupted after trying to transfer 120gb of games into it. It froze around 80 gb of transfer. After restarting, it kept on giving black screen then froze.

I tried going into recovery menu but it said something cannot detect hard drive or not compatible.

I put back the old hard drive then downgraded to 4.46. Placed the new 2tb again and it was able to detect the hard drive. However, the hard drive was corrupted to I went to the recovery menu and fix the file system. It says hard drive is corrupted and will need a reformat.

It looks to be that recovery menu will work on 4.46 using the 2tb firecuda but not using the latest 4.82.2.

I'm thinking about maybe transferring all files first while 4.46 then upgrade to 4.82.2.

Ok..just tried to the recovery menu and did a file system check on 4.46. Same thing, file system is corrupted and the drive needs to be formatted.

Does this mean I have to keep avoid the file system check else until it finally gives out? I wonder how long is the reliability on this? On my old 1tb SSHD, i kept skipping file system check but it never did gave a corrupted error then forces a reformat.

I guess there isn't really much of an incentive using this 1.86tb?

 

[sandungas]

I think skipping the filesystem check is not a good practise, actually i initiate it manually from time to time by entering in recovery menu (incase i had more than 3 PS3 freezes or crashes since the last filesystem check)

It works as a manteinance of the filesystems inside hdd... without this feature there is no way to "fix" the posible errors that could appear... so you cummulate errors until there is a point where is not posible to fix it and you lose all the hdd contents

I do a "restore filesystem" every 3 crashes (or so, sometimes a few more) because i consider in 3 crashes is posible some files was corrupted (from the gamesaves, trophies, or dunno, kind of files accessed while playing a game)

--------------------
So well... in my oppinion is now worthy to "bypass" that max hdd capacity limitation of the PS3 even if it works with the method of downgrading to 4.46... but the reason why is not worthy is because you lose the function to "restore filesystem"
In other words... the operative system of the PS3 is not able to "fix" any filesystem problems on that hdd

-------------------
But i think there must be some intermediate value of capacity where the "restore filesystem" should work fine
By reading your reports is clear to me that it cant be bigger than 1.8GB... but still im wondering if it could work by using smaller capacity

 

[fresh]

Excuse me, but for what do i need 2TB inside the ps3?

Greets.

 

[sandungas]

Excuse me, but for what do i need 2TB inside the ps3?

Greets.

Is not really needed
Personally i think is better to have a internal hdd of medium size (something in between 200gb and 500gb is ok), and abuse of it

I have a 2tb external hdd (toshiba canvio), and i never play with it connected to the PS3 because i hate to have devices "hunging out" the PS3 and i dont want to stress the PSU

What i do is to copy the game from external to internel hdd, then i disconnect the external usb hdd and play from internal

 

[fresh]

Yes, 250-500GB is more than enough. Only used for updates and others.
The main datas come for the linux-iso-server. The bonus point is that multiple consoles are satisfied with the same content at the same time.

 

[complexusername]

Large capacity hard drive or solid state drives are great so that you're not tethered to your networked ISO server. I can take my PS3 with me and all of the games will be on there.

ISO Server functionality is great but not preferred for everyone.

 

[fresh]

Large capacity hard drive or solid state drives are great so that you're not tethered to your networked ISO server. I can take my PS3 with me and all of the games will be on there.

ISO Server functionality is great but not preferred for everyone.

Maybe for you.
But, most people have at home a router, gateway, nas, etc. pp.. There's no big step to serve isos for the consoles via network, too.
But when i read "OMG, my hdd must be replaced and now i have to install 200 (!) packages." It would say that is really sub-optimal.

 

[ecto]

But when i read "OMG, my hdd must be replaced and now i have to install 200 (!) packages." It would say that is really sub-optimal.

Yeah, I know what you mean (been there myself). Now, I just made a clone of the internal drive, so installing files after a hdd replacement shouldn't be needed anymore.
Quite a lot can also be salvaged if you have the eid_root_key.

 

[runeblades]

Sorry if this is off topic, and doesn't really solve the problem of having to downgrade to use larger drives. But I have discovered a way to use as much as 1.86TB. No such disk exists, and as you're aware, the PS3 can't simply partition the disk to use only the max supported space on a 2TB. However, it IS possible to modify a disk's firmware to make it appear to the PS3 as a smaller disk than it really is. To do this you have to take advantage of a feature set in the ATA specification to create a "host protected area" on the disk that is hidden from the PS3 (and most operating systems). A 2TB disk has 3907029168 sectors. Reducing this by 7% to 3633537126 sectors will allow a PS3 running 4.46 firmware to format and successfully boot using such a disk. That seems to be the absolute limit. Any higher than that, the PS3 will format a larger size than that, but it will black screen on boot (believe me, I tried through trial and error, and had to blank the first few sectors on the disk after each attempt to make the PS3 boot again each time I'd formatted with a larger size than the PS3's kernel would accept as valid, in between each time I'd changed the max sector count!) Upgrading the PS3's firmware as far as the latest (at time of writing) Rebug lite 4.82 from that point on, and it remains fully functional.
Why would you want to do this, wasting 7% of a 2TB disk? Well, consider the fact that 1.75TB disks are getting very scarce, 1.5TB disks will likely go the same way. 2TB disks are cheaper in my experience and will likely be the easiest to get hold of going forward. This is one way you can get the maximum possible space for your PS3. Note: this was tested on CECHA and CECHC models. I cannot speak for later models, so you may get different results and have to try different max sizes on newer models. To set the max sector size, you will need a program capable of sending raw ATA commands to the hard drive. I personally used HDAT2 on a DOS bootable USB stick. One more note: you may have to plug the disk into the computer *after* it has booted into DOS from your USB stick. Most modern motherboards' BIOS automatically issue a "freeze lock" command at POST to lock these disk settings down, possibly to prevent viruses tampering with your hard drive. Either way, it forces you to have physical access to the inside of your computer while you're doing this. Also, you MUST connect using a SATA cable, you CANNOT do this with the drive connected via USB. If anyone would like a tutorial on how to use this information, please let me know.

This worked like a charm, but I had to use hdparm in Linux to get it working. I wasn't able to get any of the other tools to work.

 

[John1971]

I want to put 2 tb on my ps3 slim but I couldn't find anyone that has success on it. You seemed to have the working limit of 1.75 tb. Sounds like running 1.75 tb on 4.81 is not working. Currently, I am on cfw 4.81 so if I want to install a new 1.75 tb then I would need to downgrade to 4.55 cfw first. After the downgrade, I can switch the new 1.75 tb and format it. Right? What happens if you upgrade back to 4.81 cfw after upgrading to 1.75 tb? Will that work still? What brand did you use for a working 1.75 tb. Thank you in advance for the help!

I installed a 2Tb BEFORE the jailbreak , for me it work fine....