Why You Need to Back Up Your PS3

Bright Hub writes: "Backing up your PS3 is the only way to insure that should the worse happen, everything that has been put on it can be reclaimed. Not backing up your PS3 will guarantee that at some point in time, what can go wrong, will."

[Raf1k1]

Thanks for stating the obvious

[Eddie20101]

Probably a good idea to back up any hard drive that has a lot of personal content on it, console or PC.

[chrisnick]

Mine just died last week, and im dying without it but i'll never not back it up again....its gonna get backed up on a weekly basis. THANK GOD FOR SONY LETTING ME DOWNLOAD MY GAMES 5 TIMES FOR FREE!!!!

[Baka-akaB]

Doesnt seems obvious at all or needed to me .

Big whoop it dies , it's more a hassle about downloading everything back again since it's tied to your account , rather than being afraid to lose anything important .

And if you had external stuff like videos and movies copied on the ps3 .. i very much doubt you'd put it there without a way to get it again or some other hdd back up .

[ThatArtGuy]

You have unlimited downloads from PSN. You can only have 5 machines with the content activated at one time.

Yes, it is that simple.

[SprSynJn]

Thank you very much for clearing that up sir. I was wondering what the five time limit was referring to. I am glad it is based on machine, seemed a bit silly otherwise.

[duplissi]

chrisnick, you can download most of your games as many times as you want on up to 5 ps3s- not just 5 times. just thought youd want to know

Edit- next time i should look further down a thread just to make sure i dont just repeat someone else....

[MAR-TYR-DOM]

obvious or not, many still don't back up. I learned the hard way when my ps3 bricked and i lost my Big Boss Extreme file that i worked over 30hrs to get in MGS4. I was really pissed.

[PataponKnight]

I've just learned the hard way.

[chrisnick]

thanks....i didn't know that.

[Sarick]

My mother recently had the PS3 YLOD playing infamous on my 60gb launch ps3.

THe one thing I hate is having things like little big planet and the one save option. In other words you can't use a memory card to backup multiple saves or accounts on a single SD card. If I wanted to backup my LBP save I couldn't create archives of my saves. I also couldn't backup my save and then my mothers save on that sd card. I'd need one SD card per save.

This isn't a good way to manage backups to flash devices.

Secondly the BACKUP options aren't idiot proof. At least if you backup multiple times, if there is enough space your backups have multiple directories. If you decide to backup to an external HDD you create a new directory for that date and time.

For instant if I made my save now the directory would be 081709736..

This translates into 08-17-09 at 7:36...

I'd like this backup feature to store game utility saves only option..

There is also one more thing that Sony forgot to add in the format utility. They neglected to add a usb HDD format option. Right now Vista needs 3rd party tools to format a hdd to fat32 since it only formats up to 32gb. Sony if your system can't format all devices that are needed as backup media how do you expect grandma to figure it out?

The backup and format utility needs a lot of work. T.T

[blu3print]

My ps3 ylod on me, I'm buying a replacement. It had in a 500gb, can I just swap it out of the old one into the new one and access all my DL games and saves etc??

[Model]

i am pretty sure you need to format a hard drive when you put it in

[Eddie20101]

I'm not absolutely positive, but you probably can since everything you buy and download from PSN is tied to your user account not your console.

Sorry to here your console stopped working how long have you had it and what model was it.

Its already been formatted by your original PS3 so I'm thinking it may not have to be formatted again, but if they add the serial number or something to the hard drive when its formatted you may need to reformat to get the new serial number from the new console put on the Hard drive.

[wUTTer]

I had a YLOD awhile back because I had dropped it off a shelf... I ended up buying a new 80gb and swapped the hard-drive with my YLOD 60gb hard-drive........*sighs*....I t just gave me a message to format the hard-drive

[blu3print]

it was 60gb.. had it for close to 2 years... I know I can re download the games my main concern is the game saves...

for those who disagreed with my question, may the lord bless your eager disagree pressing souls

@2.3... yeah I guess that's it.... I think I wont even power on my new machine before I swap HDs

[TheFury]

Everyone else is right. You have to format the hard drive as soon as you put it into a different PS3, so you've lost all your game data, unless you get it fixed at a repair shop. DLC and trophies are attached to your PSN ID though so you'll be able to redownload them onto a different console. I got a YLOD recently, if you're able to find a repair shop they are generally able to fix the YLOD so you don't lose anything. It's a lot cheaper than sending it into Sony or buying a new one. There's a few DIY tutorials on youtube and other guides if you have a heat gun and a couple other things, it's to do with the soldering.

[blu3print]

I had tried the heat gun trick.. worked long enough for me to set the time then it stopped working again...

[TheFury]

I personally haven't done it, but a lot of people seemed to have success with it. Maybe you didn't have the heat gun on a high enough temperature? Sometimes it just doesn't work though. I've had to send mine to a repair shop twice now, it died again after a couple days. Hopefully when I get it back the second time it'll work fine.

[Sarick]

don't buy a replacement because the $150 repair option will replace it with the same model.

The one I got was a *new* ps3 60gb not a refurbished unit.

NO the hdds are encrypted to the ps3 serial numbers. Each PS3 uses it's own key to read-write to the drive. If you put it in your new system it'll need reformatted because the data is garbage to anything but the ps3 it was meant for.

This is why you need to back it up.

[gameraxis]

a new ps3 after my launch 60 gig yellow lighted. But since my friends, trophy list (aka bragging rights), and purchases are with my name the only thing I'm missing is some videos and pics and songs.. which is easily replaceable. Even my online status in games like killzone and socom are untouched which is definitely a plus. that would have sucked getting to 3 star general again!

i used to like having a save list of all the games I've played but if I've beaten game X on elite (k2) i have a trophy for it. so its not as bad as i thought it would be loosing all my game saves and stuff. but i totally agree if u have a back up drive, USE IT! if not tho i wouldn't go out and buy another one...

[Vagrant_1]

You can download your games as much as you like up to 5 machines not 5 downloads only

[shaneTsung]

u cant back up the save no way no how...thank capcom lost it all twice now

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Not like it matters if your PS3 breaks, because Sony has their stupid encryption in it, blocking you from swapping your drive. Even if you back it up, it's all going to be erased when you put it in a new console. It's ridiculous.

[Redempteur]

lol you missed the point .

do a backup with the utility program ( system settings ) .

Once there is a problem just restore everything with the restore option ( same menu )

It keep everything EVEN uncopiable saves ... ( like the SF4 ones or the GHWT ones )

TRY IT before saying ANYTHING ELSE

[sorceror171]

I backed up my PS3 to an external hard drive before I reformatted to add a Linux partition. But the restore failed at 26% in, and would not complete no matter what I did or how I tried. I lost a bunch of game saves.

Trophies don't go away, and downloadable stuff is easily replaced... but game saves aren't. I should've done a separate backup of just my game saves, too, just in case.

From what I've gathered, PS3 backups do work most of the time. But some people are unlucky, like me. So do a separate backup of just your game saves, too.

[BaSeBaLlKiD721]

i have a question, if i back up my HDD, will the saved data that are copy prohibited be backed up as well?

[Redempteur]

YES

[SmokingMonkey]

You can't get anything back from killzone2 or anything capcom, I may have lost all my SF4 and KZ2 memory!

Everything else copies, and yes 5 PS3's per account.

But I had to pay $250 to get my 60gb fixed, btw.

Any ideas? Can i backup my 250gb hard drive through an external enclosure? I tried backingup with the 250gb inside and my PS3 kept freezing (before i sent her off to get fixed with the original 60gb hd inside).

I need to be able to back up my 250gb HD without the PS3! HELP!

I have a second PS3, so don't feel sorry for me. I'll still get to play MvC2, BatmanAA and giggidy Demon's Souls

[TheFury]

From what I've read I'm pretty positive you can't. If you were to put the 250 gb hard drive inside your laptop/computer to backup your data you would have to format it first so it would be useless.

[Sarick]

did it cost you $250 to get your ps3 repaired? Sony does it for $150 and it's a flat rate system. Did you typo because I recently had one replaced and even though the 60gb system was fried it never cost $100 more.

[DonCorneo]

you back up your work files, your pictures, your blackberry.. and of course your save files.. before it was just about having multiple files for your save file.. now, i always back up save my ps3 files on a thumb drive

[Light Yagami]

You know, things break.

[The_Beast]

you cant use that excuse for the failure rate of 360's

[dragonslayer91]

So here we go again....this is my recent forum post on this problem.

I played Madden 10 yesterday and it froze...so i rebooted my ps3 and guess what? My system will no longer read discs. I bought a launch unit that suffered YLOD after 1 year, then I pay $150 for a refurb replacement that has lasted me all of 5 months on a 3 month warranty!!! **bleep**...

AND THATS NOT ALL....Sony customer service wants me to pay an additional $150 to pay for a replacement to the refurb that only lasted 5 months and now won't read any discs!!! I am sooooo pissed off right now!!!! I take damn good care of my electronics and media!! This is clearly a product failure that shouldn't happen in a 5 month window of normal use. I am already out $750 for a $600 launch unit and a $150 refurb and it is only August 2009. Has any one else been thru this because I am reading some real horror stories about Sony customer service. This is just WRONG!!! They should take care of this widely known problem for me for free as they have done for others who were just out of warranty. Are they telling me that their refurbished console with a measly 90 day warranty is only good for 5 months?

I have invested too much in Sony products to be treated this way and I plan on pursuing this further. So beware!!!!

[doG_beLIEfs]

The same thing happened to me. What you need to do is to escalate it upstairs until you get someone who can authorize a FREE replacement. Tell them you will not take no for an answer, and tell them that you want to speak to someone who CAN give you a yes answer. It may take some time...but they will do it for you.

A few things to use, SCEE is already replacing launch 60gb with the YLOD for free. Tell them that, also...mention how much money you have spent on the PSN, tell them that you have been a loyal customer and that you have already spent $750 on your launch 60gb PS3 and that you are NOT going to spend more money on it.

Mention that you would understand paying for a replacement if they had given you a NEW system. But they gave you a refurbished system which already HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE in the past and its not your fault that you got a broken system back. Tell them that you take great care of all of your electronic equipment and that it is unrealistic to expect you the customer to pay for a fix that should not have been there in the 1st place.

I talked to three different people before I got a separate number of someone that DID feel my pain and authorized a free replacement.

Remember, the customer is always right. You just need to talk to someone who knows this.

Hope this helps.

RAmen

[doG_beLIEfs]

Dont take it out on the lower levels. It will make you look stupid and mean. Be calm and stay in control. You are the customer...without you and other customers like you, the person you are talking to and everyone else at Sony would NOT have a job.

Dont threaten, dont use colorful words, use facts and you will be fine.

[LiquifiedArt]

Also warranties depends on who you talk to. So call back and speak with different reps, give them your sob story and maybe they'll fix for free.

if you feel strongly and have a legitimate complaint, ask to speak with their manager. Ask that person their name and title and continue.

Work yoru way up the ladder, until your dealt with properly. Ofcourse if yoru asking to put a round block through a square hole, your gonna get shut down. Also, if your a punke or sound like a kid your gonna get shut down.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

The irony in your post and your avatar is great.

[W-k]

I just got a 1TB USB external hard drive that should do the job i will be backing up my stuff tomorrow :P

[Shendow]

I got a 16GB Sony Flash Drive for backing up any date an I just now got 500GB Samsung 2.5 Hard Drive in my PS3, only cost about 90 bucks and price is dropping more.

[dragonslayer91]

from what i understand...if you put a backed up drive into a different PS3, it will automatically reformat the unfamiliar drive. It doesn't allow for backing up data THAT way. You still loose downloaded data, etc. Maybe I am wrong, but many forum posts state this.

[Shendow]

Flash Drive it won't but a Hard Drive it might but that is only if it has no Firmware on it.

[dragonslayer91]

@ doG beLIEfs

Thanks a bunch for the advice. That was very constructive and i really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I am trying to keep my cool about this. Very frustrating.

[DevastationEve]

Nobody should expect that backing stuff up will be easy or simple. Using Media Center or central media streaming servers for your libraries should be a given. It's not as forgiving when it comes to game saves...

This is why I use the Memory Unit on my Xbox 360 for saves and the HDD for everything else.

[Isis06]

Plug a hard drive(Fat32 format)in the USB port (with enough space, given).
Go to Settings\System Settings\Backup Utility pick Backup(then wait)
When the waiting is over you've got your backup.
To restore; Settings\System Settings\Backup Utility pick Restore (then wait)
After waiting your PS3 is Exactly as it used to be.
PS.. I've heard that some copy righted material cant be backed up.

ApocalyPS3;
"Nobody should expect that backing stuff up will be easy or simple."
My guide could be off by some minor thinks, but it's that easy.

[dragonslayer91]

@ LiQuiFiedArt

WTF???...did you listen in on my conversation with the Sony CS, young man? You all of a sudden know how I handled myself? Have you ever NOT been told no just because you were an adult? You think you could have gotten quicker results shooting your mouth off like you just did?

I can guarantee I am at least 10 yrs older than you, young man. I have a kid who leaves for college next month! I am here to try and shed light on a problem. Don't be a smarta___. OK? Did you read the part where i said that I plan pursuing this further? Open up your mind son, not just your ears...and listen.

[mastiffchild]

Mate, I've had horror's with both MS(called the missus a liar!)and Sony(terribly, terribly inconsistent) this generation over replacing and repairing consoles.

IIRC somebody told you to use the fact that they replace YLOD untis in the UK for free even out of warranty but that isn't really true these days. My launch 60gig stopped reading discs(a known problem with the lazer/lens in that sku)a mere 40 days out of warranty and they just wouldn't do anything for free and I was lucky the missus had signed us up for CP(which for £7 odd a month covers me for PS3 and PSP for prety much everything and they had a replacement ,identical refurb round within 22hrs of our call)without me knowing or it would definitely have cost me £155.

Thing is a friend only recently had his brick andSony folded right away and replaced it in a day or so for nothing! The policy actually seemed to change around Jan/Feb this year in the UK as since then more and more people have complained about both breakdowns(largely the same issues as you and I and usually with 60 gig models)AND Sony not doing much about them. IDK if it's a move to push us onto their CP insurance over here in the UK but there was a definite change in attitude and possibl;y policy earlier this year.

I think the big thing with Sony is that it really matters who you end up with on the phone. If you get someone who cares they'll let you have one for free but if not they'll make you pay however unfair it seems(and a 5 month death is silly). I think the unreliable response you get really makes people get more wound up with Sony who should, at the least, be consistent with their policy over wat they do and don't repair/replace for free. I agree with the advice about keeping on trying different people and asking to speak to someone higher up as either someone with more authority or just a different perspective can often change your outcome.

Didn't work for me but I think that's because I never get anyone nice to talk to anywhere! BTW the idiot at MS consumer relations who abused the wife eventually got the sack after he got caught calling another customer names and we got an apology. It took over a year but, still, MS did say sorry for thjeir idiot being so awful-it just shows you, though, that some people hate their job/hate the cusyom,er so much that they plainly want to be as awkward and rude as possible in the hope of making you tense yourself.

Anyway, good luck and don't let them annoy you or fob you off-you've spent quite enough money to expect a little decent treatment from them.

[starcb26]

so can I back up my saved data to an external hard drive, and put in a new haed drive for my ps3, and get the saved data off of the external hard drive?

[Isis06]

Post nr.13.1
Yes.

[catinthebox]

This is hard to explain because there are a few possible scenarios:
(a) backup to external drive and restore to upgrade HDD or return original HDD to same console. If you are upgrading/swapping your hard drive and wish to transfer your files, photos, etc. you need 3 drives in total: 1. original/currently HDD installed in working ps3, 2. external backup to hold data from backup utility, 3. larger HDD to install and then restore all backed-up data into same ps3 (no problems).
(b) use ps3 HDD with some other console or computer (requires format=erases all). If your ps3 is not working, the internal SATA drive is encrypted and will not allow any other machine (ps3/pc/mac) to view or copy anything on there. So you must backup before your ps3 fails, just in case (hopefully).
(c) restore backed-up data from external drive to new or refurb ps3 (restores personal data and *most* game saves but each DLC requires re-download).

For example, certain game saves are tied to a specific console so they can be backed-up but only restored to the exact same original ps3 console (a). So if you get a new or refurb console, you'd have all your trophies under your PSN id but still have to start the game over anyway as if you've never played before (c). I know Rock Band is this way (only a handful out of all titles have this annoying issue).

Check on this before you send your ps3 to Sony - may want to take to repair shop instead. No matter how nicely you ask or how long you are willing to wait - Sony will only send refurb - they will not fix.

When you get a new or refurb ps3, all DLC items must be re-downloaded (c). This is a tedious and time-consuming task no matter how fast your connection is with no option to check multiple items or download all at once. Each item must be selected for download and re-installed individually. Can take hours to re-load DLC items.

Basically, you can copy some things to smaller flash drive like game saves (that are not protected) and whatever else fits on there but much less complete than full backup using backup utility. You should use an external drive with enough space available and remember to do it often (can take a while).

Remember: Format=Erase. Good luck!

[dragonslayer91]

When they send you a $150 refurb with a 3 month warranty...call them before the end of the warranty period and tell them there is something wrong with your console, EVEN IF IT IS WORKING FINE, and they will have to send you another unit. DO THIS EVERY 3 MONTHS!!! It may be a hassle for you and for them but, F..K THEM!!!

They should have extended the warranty period for their defective "YLOD", "UNREADABLE DISC" ERRORS just like MS did FOR RROD!!!!
F..K THEM!!!