harddrive not reconized

[nickmp0wer]

When i plug in my firends external hardrive, i can see the little logo in the top right that tells you the ps3 is doing something, then it stops but i cant seee the hardrive anywhere, what gives?

 

[Solid Fro]

FAT32, not NTFS.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Which in more specific terms means the PS3 uses FAT32 as it's file system, thus to read external hard drives, they must be formatted in FAT32. You can also partition a drive if you want part of it to be formatted in FAT32 and part in NTFS.

Just remember if you reformat the drive you'll lose all the data on it, so make a backup first!

 

[opendriver]

Which in more specific terms means the PS3 uses FAT32 as it's file system, thus to read external hard drives, they must be formatted in FAT32. You can also partition a drive if you want part of it to be formatted in FAT32 and part in NTFS.

Just remember if you reformat the drive you'll lose all the data on it, so make a backup first!

You dont have to format the entire drive, you just have to shrink the volume.

If you have vista, right click my computer and go to disk management.

Select the drive you want and right click it, click shrink volume

select your size (max is 32GB)

Move your stuff to the partition

Done.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

You dont have to format the entire drive, you just have to shrink the volume.

Hmmm... I thought that's what I said...

You can also partition a drive if you want part of it to be formatted in FAT32 and part in NTFS.

But I could have been more clear...

Just remember if you reformat the entire drive you'll lose all the data on it, so make a backup first!

Fixed.

 

[opendriver]

Ah. read it over a little to quick. We both are right

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Yes, but thanks for clearing it up, as you did a much better job explaining it and even offering instructions on how to do it.




BTW: For the OP and anyone else interested, there is also a dedicated thread in this forum with links to technical guides as well as Q&A on using additional hardware with the PS3:

• Guides, Suggestions, & Tips on Installing & Using 3rd Party Hardware & OS for the PS3

Some may find it a useful place to start their search for answers to their technical questions regarding similar topics. 👍