Free hard drive bay and screws from Sony

Video showing a free hard drive bay and screws for replacing your hard drive from Sony. Call customer service, I heard about this and didn't believe it but called and they sent it in the mail.

[FPShooter]

I really need to upgrade my HDD I have been looking around the web trying to see what would be a good one for my PS3.

Suggestions anyone

[Handsome_Devil]

I've heard its best top go with the SATA 2.5" Hard Drive :)

I didn't change my hard drive yet, but I'm planning to. if you get a clear answer plz PM it to me as well :)

[FPShooter]

bubbles

thanks man I will let you know if i find out anything else. btw how many GB is that?

[Chris399]

Very easy process... but...beware of stripping the screws in the HD Bay, they are very small and easily damaged.

Aside from one bugger of a screw, the process was painless and took about 10 minutes.

Like Handsome_Devil stated, use any 2.5 inch, 5200 RPM SATA drive. Higher drive speeds are not recommended and could cause issues (though some people report them as being fine).

Oh, and before doing anything, back up all your data using the "backup" option under "system" on the XMB. I used an external USB drive for this purpose.

Then it's as easy as plugging in the external USB HD, going to "restore" (again on the XMB/ system menu) and in 1/2 an hour or so all your old data is on your new drive.

The best part about everything is that Sony encourages it and you don't void your warranty by upgrading the HD.

P.S. This is an incredibly civil and helpful "Open Zone" exchange. Bubbles for all of you :)

[Handsome_Devil]

last time I asked toshiba 2.5' Serial ATA ( aka SATA ) was up to 320 GB, you might find other companies offer it other than toshiba though.

now i think it is the best type to use since Sony uses the same type with the PS3 :)

I just checked that on the website http://www.us.playstation.c...

if you go to the hard drive comparison you will find they use this hard drive.

I hope I helped you :)

[evilmonkey501]

I am using a 2.5 7200 rpm drive 320 gigs with no problems for over 6 months. The 7200 is tested and approved and will actually cause load/install times to decrease up to 20 %.

proof: http://playstation.joystiq....

http://boardsus.playstation...

here is the drive I use: http://www.wdc.com/en/produ...

[Handsome_Devil]

Thats a really great customer Service, now if all companies would do so......

"IF ONLY" << Dreaming

[ChampIDC]

Heck, companies usually don't encourage opening up their products and altering/fixing them yourself. It's nice to see Sony helps out the people that know what they're doing.

[Shingy]

I think its meant to be really easy that anyone can do it, anyone that doesn't want to do it is just scared or retarded.

[Hellsvacancy]

I bought an 500gig 2.5 HDD from a carboot sale a while ago (brand new) for £30 so i was lucky but hav a look on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/r... it depends how much space u want ive got tons of movies and music (and i mean tons) and i still hav over 300gigs left so goin for a 320gig is ideal 4 most people

Another trick i learnt was when i removed my old 40gig from my Ps3, i looked on Amazon and bought a 2.5 external Hdd case and turned the old 40gig Hdd in2 an external device

Edit. Bubbles returned to all :-)

[SiLeNt KNighT]

haha, why did my mind leave out the word 'bay' when i read the title. when i clicked on it i was waiting for a free HDD from sony. good deal though. normally companies only give away free stuff when they do something wrong... aka RROD warranty and wiimote jackets.

[JoshDargie]

I called back in June still havent gotten my parts... I wish I did cause mine is screwed up from switching the drive... :(..

Maybe ill call them once again.

[BrothaDave]

Call Sony again. It took me about a month to get them. I had forgotten actually but better late than never. They said they would call but I don't accept blocked calls so that could be the reason it took longer.

[hesido]

I have a 60GB ps3, and I changed my harddrive and during the process I wrecked the blue screw that you first unwind (I was so used to PC installations with big sturdy screws, that I just went ahead with an automatic screwdriver, I know, it was foolish)

Changing the drive is very simple but do NOT ever use any sort of power tools, that blue screw is *very* delicate, always do it manually and with the right size Philips-head screw driver, and do not be afraid to push first with enough power.

Even tho I wrecked mine, I got lucky and could unscrew it using extreme force, and manually. Believe me you do not want to go into that territory (I had to push the other side of my PS3).

I also swapped my brothers PS3 harddrive (gave my old 60gb to him :), the harddrive bay system is a bit different and more foolproof, but the blue screw is still as delicate as ever.

[Hellsvacancy]

The Ps3 is built like a tank except that for 1 single screw lol

[fishyjoes]

place an order over a month ago and emailed them twice and its still backordered

[kharma45]

They've been doing this for ages, I know of loads of people who've been sent new HDD caddys and screws.

Great customer service! Only thing is now in the UK they've been charging some people £140 or so for a refurb, whereas they used to be free for everyone.

[FantasyStar]

Things break over time, people dump PS3s in dust bins. You can't reasonably put a warranty on stupidity and time. Hence the warranty limitations clauses.

[Highatus]

I got mine through Tiger Direct, excellent prices on there and pretty quick shipping. 100$cnd(tax included) for a 320 gig and an external sleeve.

The one i got is a Seagate Momentus.

Heres a link to the same one. It's not from Tiger but it is the same HDD.

http://www.pricebat.ca/Seag...

I know Sony has a Backing with Seagate since all there Factory PS3's come with a Seagate HDD, That's the only reason why i went with Seagate.

Western Digital Scorpios are pretty nice too.

[ifhd]

if you backed up your HDD
dose it back up PSN games , game data and demos .
or do I have to download it all again.

[BaSeBaLlKiD721]

you have to download all over again

i upgraded my 60gb HDD to a 250gb HDD and had to re-download everything i got from the PS store

[BrothaDave]

If you use the back up feature and do not just copy all your saves it puts everything back including game saves, dl games, demos, videos, music and even all your accounts, if you have more than one like me. I have done it several times. I backup my stuff about once a month.

[ifhd]

Thanks

[BrothaDave]

no you don't, if you use the backup utility tool you do not have to download everything again. the backup utility is in the settings menu, it takes about an hour to back up a full 60gb hdd. once you back it up and get the new hdd installed you then boot up your ps3 and go to restore data, which is right under the backup option. click on that and it puts everything back just how it was, everything, movie, pix, game saves, games and even your accounts. he doesnt know what he is talking about or he didn't do it right

[FPShooter]

great link thanks. bubbles

[ifhd]

The backup software will not backup the local Trophy data and copyright protected Videos but,will it backup DRM free Videos, Music, Pics, PSN Games, Game Install's, Game Data, Partial Downloads, Copy Protect PS3 Saves

[tommyhj]

Why would you want an extra HD-bay, when you have one in the PS3 already? If you want to change the harddrive you could just as well use the one you have, than wait for Sony to send you one, spending money that could be used on game-dev or cheaper consoles! And I think you have to extraordinary clumsy to break something simple as a screw or HD-bay to need a replacement...

[BaSeBaLlKiD721]

well the screws are very easy to strip. i actually stripped 3 out of the 4 screws... i had to use a wire cutter to unscrew them out.

if you actually upgraded your HDD then you would understand

as far as the money spending, i seriously doubt that the materials even cost a dollar to produce...

[tommyhj]

I upgraded 3 harddrives in different PS3's, and I honestly didn't have any problem unscrewing the screws. I dunno, maybe I was just brought up to operate screwdrivers differently from the average gamer... But cool if Sony accommodates those who manage to break the screws and send them new ones for free!

[BrothaDave]

Well you are an anomaly, as many people, including myself, have stripped their screws. I plan on going with a bigger hdd in the near future, from a 320gb, and there is no way I can mess with those screws again lol. To each his own though, anyone who is interested call Sony.

[Jonathan17strife]

That's pretty sweet, and his killzone review made me want to go pick it up!