Lost_Lombax
Forum Noob
Hi there everyone! [Last edit 29 Nov 2023]
This tutorial explains how to change the hard disk or hard drive of your Playstation 3 for another one (same or higher capacity). It won't work for changing the hard disk and placing it into another PS3.
The reason I'm posting this tutorial is because I wanted to change my stock 320Gb old HDD to a new 1Tb HDD. But as I'm in CFW I didn't really know how to do this. I did some research but I found too many ways and all of them did not explained everything 100% properly.
So I ended as many times in psx-place! Where I found @Berion Ultimate userdata backup guide. With the info he gathered in his fantastic PDF I was able finally to understand how to do the full process of changing the HDD without loosing CFW or savedata or anything. This is the link which you will need to read for sure if you want to backup your user data and understand where everything is stored:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ultimate-userdata-backup-guide.29037/
So in this tutorial I will do a step by step of how to do almost everything. This tutorial is 200% manual backup and restore so maybe there are faster or more automatic ways but I haven't found them. Just let me know in the comments if you know any other way.
READ EVERYTHING BEFORE STARTING THE PROCESS AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND IT!
1. Backup SYSTEM Important Files
The first step is going to be backing up important SYSTEM files which store data specific to you PS3 + internal motherboard + HDD + User info.
For you to know my model: PS3 Slim CECH-2504B with 4.84.2 Rebug REX. I have 2 users only, mine and ReAct user for pkg.
You need to backup the system important files which are:
1. xRegistry.sys -> Done with Rebug Toolbox directly to USB Drive. It stores important info of the users you have in your console. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
2. ERK or EID Root Key -> Done with Rebug Toolbox, the system restarts for this (it is normal) then it will be saved in the HDD but you can export it to a USB Drive. The file is 48 bytes. This file has the key to access your HDD from a PC if you ever need this. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
3. Dump NAND/NOR memory image from which you can read the IDPS -> Done with Rebug Toolbox directly to USB Drive (Look for Export Flash to File). This dump saves a quite important data that can save your console from brick or death. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
2. Backup USER data:
[OPTIONAL]: Delete games and data you don't use so when you are copying everything it takes less time. Patches and DLCs are getting harder to find so I suggest not deleting them.
There are several ways of backing up your data. I will mention 3:
A. FASTEST: Remove and connect your internal Old PS3 HDD to your PC (WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T INIZIALICE IT!!! As soon as you connect it to your PC a window will open, say NO/Cancel or just close it, because otherwise you will lose the ability of reading the HDD. There are ways to restore it but it's a pain. The reason this is the fastest method is because you are getting full HDD SATA-III interface speed if connected via SATA or USB 3.x, not limited to PS3 network card and SATA-I.
For this reason, is better to use Linux for this step, but it can be done in Windows too. Follow this tutorial to back up your data like this:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/h...on-3-hdd-on-pc-tutorials-tools-hub-faq.36261/
B. SLOW: Use FTP connection with your PC. Some people say you can have copying problems because this connection sometimes freezes and it becomes a pain to back up your data. FTP is not stable. So I didn't use this method but still it is possible.
C. SLOW: Connect an external HDD and back up your data manually with Irisman or Multiman or other Filemanager. For this method I suggest changing the standby time so your console keep On all the time. I used this method and everything is in place afterwards.
Here are the most important routes you need to back up (for full explanation of this check Berion PDF):
Installed games, covers, patches and add-ons and Programs:
dev_hdd0/game/<GameID>/
Users and all their data: dev_hdd0/home/
Savedata (one folder per user): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/savedata/
Trophies (one folder per user): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/trophy/
XMB themes: dev_hdd0/theme/
Licenses (you can export and import this too with Apollo Savedata Tool): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/exdata/
Multimedia: "dev_hdd0/video/", "dev_hdd0/music/", "dev_hdd0/photo/"
Chat and friend saved:
dev_hdd0/home/<user>/chat/room/
dev_hdd0/home/<user>/friendim/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS1 and PS2 and minis/PSP saves not needed for me check Berion PDF
Games copied form disk and Disc Images not needed for me check Berion PDF
dev_hdd0/PKG/ and dev_hdd0/packages/ are empty for me
PUP packages: dev_hdd0/updater/<number e.g. 01>/*.pup I don't have it
3. Prepare New HDD
IMPORTANT: Once you place the New HDD inside the PS3 and start the process you won't be able to use the Old HDD in your PS3 again. Some people say that there are models in which this is possible but in general is not so be aware.
The format of your New HDD doesn't matter because the console will erase everything from it and format it in a specific way that makes it readable only by your PS3. So you can remove the Old HDD now from your PS3 and place the New HDD.
Prepare a USB Stick with the FW you want to install Root> PS3>UPDATE. It must be the same as the one you had before. Don't install OFW or you will need to run the exploits again. Just install the CFW you had before. I'm using CFW 4.84.2 Rebug Rex.
Turn On your PS3 with your USB Drive connected and follow the steps you see in the screen. When it finishes just create a dummy user and install Rebug Toolbox and your File manager (Irisman or Multiman are ok). Don't mind this user you just created because afterwards the console will detect that it didn't exist before and place it aside so you can delete it.
Now yous PS3 should be working but you are missing your USER DATA. Let's restore it in the next step.
4. Restore Backed Up USER files
Connect via FTP or connect the USB Drive where the backup is and place back all the folders which were backed up before. Be careful to not OVERWRITE your opened app such as Multiman or Irisman!!!
Now use Rebug Toolbox to restore your so precious xRegistry.sys with this your Users will be recognized by the console again after doing the Rebuild Database.
So now we have all the folders back and the xRegistry.sys loaded. For the PS3 to recognize all these changes we need to enter Recovery mode by turning off the console and following the beep steps. And then launch Rebuild Database.
The console will show a message where the user we created before doesn't match the ones in the xRegistry restored info. It will be places aside with a * at the beginning. Just delete it.
So we are done!
5. Enjoy your New HDD with all your previous data!
Thanks to all the community os PSX-Place and specially @Berion on for his knowledge, tutorials and help. I hope this tutorial is helpful to people who want to change the hard disk and are having problems in doing so.
PS. If I'm missing something feel free to add it or make any comments.
This tutorial explains how to change the hard disk or hard drive of your Playstation 3 for another one (same or higher capacity). It won't work for changing the hard disk and placing it into another PS3.
The reason I'm posting this tutorial is because I wanted to change my stock 320Gb old HDD to a new 1Tb HDD. But as I'm in CFW I didn't really know how to do this. I did some research but I found too many ways and all of them did not explained everything 100% properly.
So I ended as many times in psx-place! Where I found @Berion Ultimate userdata backup guide. With the info he gathered in his fantastic PDF I was able finally to understand how to do the full process of changing the HDD without loosing CFW or savedata or anything. This is the link which you will need to read for sure if you want to backup your user data and understand where everything is stored:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ultimate-userdata-backup-guide.29037/
So in this tutorial I will do a step by step of how to do almost everything. This tutorial is 200% manual backup and restore so maybe there are faster or more automatic ways but I haven't found them. Just let me know in the comments if you know any other way.
READ EVERYTHING BEFORE STARTING THE PROCESS AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND IT!
1. Backup SYSTEM Important Files
The first step is going to be backing up important SYSTEM files which store data specific to you PS3 + internal motherboard + HDD + User info.
For you to know my model: PS3 Slim CECH-2504B with 4.84.2 Rebug REX. I have 2 users only, mine and ReAct user for pkg.
You need to backup the system important files which are:
1. xRegistry.sys -> Done with Rebug Toolbox directly to USB Drive. It stores important info of the users you have in your console. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
2. ERK or EID Root Key -> Done with Rebug Toolbox, the system restarts for this (it is normal) then it will be saved in the HDD but you can export it to a USB Drive. The file is 48 bytes. This file has the key to access your HDD from a PC if you ever need this. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
3. Dump NAND/NOR memory image from which you can read the IDPS -> Done with Rebug Toolbox directly to USB Drive (Look for Export Flash to File). This dump saves a quite important data that can save your console from brick or death. Check Beiron guide for more info about it.
2. Backup USER data:
[OPTIONAL]: Delete games and data you don't use so when you are copying everything it takes less time. Patches and DLCs are getting harder to find so I suggest not deleting them.
There are several ways of backing up your data. I will mention 3:
A. FASTEST: Remove and connect your internal Old PS3 HDD to your PC (WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T INIZIALICE IT!!! As soon as you connect it to your PC a window will open, say NO/Cancel or just close it, because otherwise you will lose the ability of reading the HDD. There are ways to restore it but it's a pain. The reason this is the fastest method is because you are getting full HDD SATA-III interface speed if connected via SATA or USB 3.x, not limited to PS3 network card and SATA-I.
For this reason, is better to use Linux for this step, but it can be done in Windows too. Follow this tutorial to back up your data like this:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/h...on-3-hdd-on-pc-tutorials-tools-hub-faq.36261/
B. SLOW: Use FTP connection with your PC. Some people say you can have copying problems because this connection sometimes freezes and it becomes a pain to back up your data. FTP is not stable. So I didn't use this method but still it is possible.
C. SLOW: Connect an external HDD and back up your data manually with Irisman or Multiman or other Filemanager. For this method I suggest changing the standby time so your console keep On all the time. I used this method and everything is in place afterwards.
Here are the most important routes you need to back up (for full explanation of this check Berion PDF):
Installed games, covers, patches and add-ons and Programs:
dev_hdd0/game/<GameID>/
Users and all their data: dev_hdd0/home/
Savedata (one folder per user): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/savedata/
Trophies (one folder per user): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/trophy/
XMB themes: dev_hdd0/theme/
Licenses (you can export and import this too with Apollo Savedata Tool): dev_hdd0/home/<user>/exdata/
Multimedia: "dev_hdd0/video/", "dev_hdd0/music/", "dev_hdd0/photo/"
Chat and friend saved:
dev_hdd0/home/<user>/chat/room/
dev_hdd0/home/<user>/friendim/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS1 and PS2 and minis/PSP saves not needed for me check Berion PDF
Games copied form disk and Disc Images not needed for me check Berion PDF
dev_hdd0/PKG/ and dev_hdd0/packages/ are empty for me
PUP packages: dev_hdd0/updater/<number e.g. 01>/*.pup I don't have it
3. Prepare New HDD
IMPORTANT: Once you place the New HDD inside the PS3 and start the process you won't be able to use the Old HDD in your PS3 again. Some people say that there are models in which this is possible but in general is not so be aware.
The format of your New HDD doesn't matter because the console will erase everything from it and format it in a specific way that makes it readable only by your PS3. So you can remove the Old HDD now from your PS3 and place the New HDD.
Prepare a USB Stick with the FW you want to install Root> PS3>UPDATE. It must be the same as the one you had before. Don't install OFW or you will need to run the exploits again. Just install the CFW you had before. I'm using CFW 4.84.2 Rebug Rex.
Turn On your PS3 with your USB Drive connected and follow the steps you see in the screen. When it finishes just create a dummy user and install Rebug Toolbox and your File manager (Irisman or Multiman are ok). Don't mind this user you just created because afterwards the console will detect that it didn't exist before and place it aside so you can delete it.
Now yous PS3 should be working but you are missing your USER DATA. Let's restore it in the next step.
4. Restore Backed Up USER files
Connect via FTP or connect the USB Drive where the backup is and place back all the folders which were backed up before. Be careful to not OVERWRITE your opened app such as Multiman or Irisman!!!
Now use Rebug Toolbox to restore your so precious xRegistry.sys with this your Users will be recognized by the console again after doing the Rebuild Database.
So now we have all the folders back and the xRegistry.sys loaded. For the PS3 to recognize all these changes we need to enter Recovery mode by turning off the console and following the beep steps. And then launch Rebuild Database.
The console will show a message where the user we created before doesn't match the ones in the xRegistry restored info. It will be places aside with a * at the beginning. Just delete it.
So we are done!
5. Enjoy your New HDD with all your previous data!
Thanks to all the community os PSX-Place and specially @Berion on for his knowledge, tutorials and help. I hope this tutorial is helpful to people who want to change the hard disk and are having problems in doing so.
PS. If I'm missing something feel free to add it or make any comments.
Last edited:
I just corrected it!
