This is what happened. I was about to play Call of duty 4, my controller was on but not responding. I guess Call of Duty 4 was loading but I was in such a rush I turned off my PS3 from the back. When I re started my PS3 I got a message that says "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored." - Press "O" for OK. I press "O", my system reboots and comes back to the same screen.

I was really pissed thinking I'm going to have to send it back. Here are my questions.

Can I Just buy a new HDD and replace it? Take out the old HDD, put in the new HDD? Will my PS3 work just with a quick swap. Or does the new HDD have to have some sort of PS3 files for it to work?

I had nothing important saved, and I'm hoping I can fix this with just a quick swap. All I want to do is to be able to go back to the cross media bar, click on Call of Duty 4, and play online.

Thanks!

This is what happened. I was about to play Call of duty 4, my controller was on but not responding. I guess Call of Duty 4 was loading but I was in such a rush I turned off my PS3 from the back. When I re started my PS3 I got a message that says "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored." - Press "O" for OK. I press "O", my system reboots and comes back to the same screen.

I was really pissed thinking I'm going to have to send it back. Here are my questions.

Can I Just buy a new HDD and replace it? Take out the old HDD, put in the new HDD? Will my PS3 work just with a quick swap. Or does the new HDD have to have some sort of PS3 files for it to work?

I had nothing important saved, and I'm hoping I can fix this with just a quick swap. All I want to do is to be able to go back to the cross media bar, click on Call of Duty 4, and play online.

Thanks!

You can definitely get a larger HDD and replace it with no issues, it's in the ps3 user manual on how to upgrade. I would try and use the ps3' format and system restore settings before doing that, but if you were going to upgrade anyways, go for it.

-Splints

Is there a way to format my current 60 Gig HDD without being able to get to the cross media bar. I am stuck in a loop with the message.

I watched some videos on how to upgrade. Just to get this straight, take out my 60 gig HDD, and put in a new HDD without any PS3 files and it should work fine? Is it that simple? lol

Thanks!

Yup it's that simple. Just make sure you have 5400 rpm HDD with alot of cache (16 MB)

Alternatively, if you wanted to try and take out the 60GB, hook it up to your PC and wipe/low level format the drive then put it back in the PS3 it would more than likely work again. You'll just need to have a pc with SATA (most in the last 4 years do).

If it were me I'd try that route first... can't do much harm trying if you're prepared to buy another drive anyways.

Yup it's that simple. Just make sure you have 5400 rpm HDD with alot of cache (16 MB)

Does it have to have a lot of cache (16 MB)? I was looking at these, I want to go pick up a new HDD at a store today.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Western-Digital-160GB-2-5-SATA-Hard-Drive-WD1600BEVSRTL/sem/rpsm/oid/176764/catOid/-12976/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

and

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5065515?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Would these work fine, or no?

Actually, I'm pretty clueless about what drive to buy as well. I know it's got to be 2.5" and SATA (not sure what that means)..... Can anybody recommend a 160 GB from Newegg (with link)? Preferably cheaper is better.


Any help would be appreciated!

7,200rpm works fine.

I seriously doubt the hard drive was physically damaged from an incorrect shutdown. There has to be some software workaround, besides buying a new drive.

7,200rpm works fine.

The faster speed is only good for heating your PS3 up more.

This is what happened. I was about to play Call of duty 4, my controller was on but not responding. I guess Call of Duty 4 was loading but I was in such a rush I turned off my PS3 from the back. When I re started my PS3 I got a message that says "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored." - Press "O" for OK. I press "O", my system reboots and comes back to the same screen.

I was really pissed thinking I'm going to have to send it back. Here are my questions.

Can I Just buy a new HDD and replace it? Take out the old HDD, put in the new HDD? Will my PS3 work just with a quick swap. Or does the new HDD have to have some sort of PS3 files for it to work?

I had nothing important saved, and I'm hoping I can fix this with just a quick swap. All I want to do is to be able to go back to the cross media bar, click on Call of Duty 4, and play online.

Thanks!

Simply swapping the hard drive did not work for me. I was runnig low on my 20gig when I ran into the same problem. I thought it would be the perfect time to upgrade being mine went haywire. Unfortunatly I had to send it in and get a refurbished one. Not a problem except all of my saves were lost. Didn't really care to beat Motorstorm again and a maxxed out character on TG 07' was gone.

Since then I have added an external drive to prevent saves form being lost.

Hopefully you will have better luck than I.

Alright guys I pulled the trigger on a Western Digital 250 GB Hard Drive at Best Buy. Just swapped it out like you guys said, and now my PS3 is working. Took less than 5 minutes to do the swap.

Catch me online COD4

PSN : Dirty_Sanchezzz

Hi guys..wondering if I could get some help.. I'm trying to replace my stock 40gb ps3 hdd with my new wd250GB 2.5" SATA. Ive installed the wd in the ps3 and formatted it in correct FAT32 the problem is I cant transfer my files. Ive only got a 1gb usbkey and and 80GB external usb HDD with the twin USB plugs (for power and data). The ps3 seems to power the latter (led light is on), but the ps3 detects neither at all. Also ive tried connecting both 2.5" SATA drives (new and old) indiviually with a SATA to usb converter - again, the ps3 detects nothing. My PS3 is an Aussie PAL version. Does someone know a way to make the ps3 detect either the sata drives when connected via usb (and yes, when connected externally they have seperate power supply) or the 80GB twin cable external usb HDD? If not whats the cheapest and easiest way to transfer approx 30GB of data? Thanks

happy_monkey, you're confused about how the PS3 deals with hard disks. The internal drive on the PS3 does not use FAT32.

If you pull the internal drive out and put it in an external USB case, the PS3 will not be able to read it. In order for the PS3 to read it, you need to reformat the USB drive to FAT32.

If you want to transfer data from one internal PS3 drive to another, you need to use a 3rd drive or device to do that.

BTW, you triple-posted your problem in 3 threads here. I doubt the moderators look kindly on that.

This is what happened. I was about to play Call of duty 4, my controller was on but not responding. I guess Call of Duty 4 was loading but I was in such a rush I turned off my PS3 from the back. When I re started my PS3 I got a message that says "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored." - Press "O" for OK. I press "O", my system reboots and comes back to the same screen.

I was really pissed thinking I'm going to have to send it back. Here are my questions.

Can I Just buy a new HDD and replace it? Take out the old HDD, put in the new HDD? Will my PS3 work just with a quick swap. Or does the new HDD have to have some sort of PS3 files for it to work?

I had nothing important saved, and I'm hoping I can fix this with just a quick swap. All I want to do is to be able to go back to the cross media bar, click on Call of Duty 4, and play online.

Thanks!
Hey Ron,

The exact same thing happened to me. I was about 10 minutes into Call of Duty 4, and it hung. Controller wouldn't respond, nothing would work. I let the system sit for about 30 mins.....then did a hard shutdown with the back power button.
It came back up, but now every couple days I get the corrupt HDD message.

John

Then reformat the hard disk. Back up your save games first if you want them.

This is what happened. I was about to play Call of duty 4, my controller was on but not responding. I guess Call of Duty 4 was loading but I was in such a rush I turned off my PS3 from the back. When I re started my PS3 I got a message that says "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored." - Press "O" for OK. I press "O", my system reboots and comes back to the same screen.

I was really pissed thinking I'm going to have to send it back. Here are my questions.

Can I Just buy a new HDD and replace it? Take out the old HDD, put in the new HDD? Will my PS3 work just with a quick swap. Or does the new HDD have to have some sort of PS3 files for it to work?

I had nothing important saved, and I'm hoping I can fix this with just a quick swap. All I want to do is to be able to go back to the cross media bar, click on Call of Duty 4, and play online.

Thanks!

Alternatively, if you wanted to try and take out the 60GB, hook it up to your PC and wipe/low level format the drive then put it back in the PS3 it would more than likely work again. You'll just need to have a pc with SATA (most in the last 4 years do).

If it were me I'd try that route first... can't do much harm trying if you're prepared to buy another drive anyways.

While searching for the problem I'm having with my PS3 I came across this thread. Basically I'm stuck looping between a corrupt hard drive screen and the restore screen. I was wondering if anyone has tried cubalis2's suggestion with any luck. I'm going to try it but I only have a laptop so I'll have to find someone with a pc that has a SATA connection. Sony is sending the repair box out but this idea seems simple enough to give a shot. Plus I rented 3 Blu-ray movies and only watched one. :(

Why aren't people using the front button to power down if a game locks up? I mean if you tried that and it didn't work I guess using the back button is your only option, but I've had my PS3 lockup on a couple of games and I just hold my finger on the front button for like 5 seconds and the PS3 beeps three times and prepares itself for a safe shutdown.

Why aren't people using the front button to power down if a game locks up? I mean if you tried that and it didn't work I guess using the back button is your only option, but I've had my PS3 lockup on a couple of games and I just hold my finger on the front button for like 5 seconds and the PS3 beeps three times and prepares itself for a safe shutdown.

+1

works for me too. i usually shut down w/ the front, wait for it to power down, and then flip the switch in back...

Yes, the back switch is a last resort type thing, the front button always works for me, I have only had one freeze up

First off let me apologize for not fully stating what happened in my case. I quoted the OP because I had the same problem and I felt no need to start a new thread. I got there under different circumstances. It was a brief power outage (the ones where everything shuts of for 1-2 seconds). So back to my question, if anyone has had any luck with the reformatting via a PC I like to hear from you. I think my neighbor has a SATA connection on his PC but I'll have to wait for them to come back from Vacation or continue looking for someone with the connection I need.

+1

works for me too. i usually shut down w/ the front, wait for it to power down, and then flip the switch in back...

+2. RTFM folks, you use the regular power switch to kill it if it doesn't respond.

The only time you should ever have this problem is if a power outage hits while you're playing.

Yup it's that simple. Just make sure you have 5400 rpm HDD with alot of cache (16 MB)

Ummm...I replaced my HDD with a 250 GB WD with only 8 mb of cache. Is this a problem? Weren't the original HDDs in the PS3 from Seagate 8 mb also?

Actually, I'm pretty clueless about what drive to buy as well. I know it's got to be 2.5" and SATA (not sure what that means)..... Can anybody recommend a 160 GB from Newegg (with link)? Preferably cheaper is better.


Any help would be appreciated!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136071

Ummm...I replaced my HDD with a 250 GB WD with only 8 mb of cache. Is this a problem? Weren't the original HDDs in the PS3 from Seagate 8 mb also?

8MB is fine. Most harddrives of this size and RPM rating only have 8MB (including the seagate one I believe).

I just encountered problem similar to these guys but the message was different from what you guys got. I dont remember everything it said but it said something in the lines that there was a corruption with my HDD and it needs to be restored and I had no choice but to hit the "X" button and everything that I can tell is back to normal.

What started I think was when I logged on this morning I was deleting those movie trailers to free up some space and when I tried to delete "this is vegas" trailer it wouldnt let me. I turned my PS3 off and turned it bakc on like 30min later and then I got the message as soon as the xmb loaded up. But like I said everything seems fine except my videos weren't in the order they were in before this happend.

Thanks for the reassurance obsid1an.

I just encountered problem similar to these guys but the message was different from what you guys got. I dont remember everything it said but it said something in the lines that there was a corruption with my HDD and it needs to be restored and I had no choice but to hit the "X" button and everything that I can tell is back to normal.

What started I think was when I logged on this morning I was deleting those movie trailers to free up some space and when I tried to delete "this is vegas" trailer it wouldnt let me. I turned my PS3 off and turned it bakc on like 30min later and then I got the message as soon as the xmb loaded up. But like I said everything seems fine except my videos weren't in the order they were in before this happend.

I lost all my album art (that I manually loaded :mad:) when this happened to me. I also lost a few songs. I am not sure what is going on here. It said that it had to rebuild the HDD database. A friend of mine said it might have something to do with duplicate files on the HDD. I dunno.

I just encountered problem similar to these guys but the message was different from what you guys got. I dont remember everything it said but it said something in the lines that there was a corruption with my HDD and it needs to be restored and I had no choice but to hit the "X" button and everything that I can tell is back to normal.

What started I think was when I logged on this morning I was deleting those movie trailers to free up some space and when I tried to delete "this is vegas" trailer it wouldnt let me. I turned my PS3 off and turned it bakc on like 30min later and then I got the message as soon as the xmb loaded up. But like I said everything seems fine except my videos weren't in the order they were in before this happend.

This is why I doubt reformatting via a PC will work. I'm guessing the PS3 recover screen is trying to reformat the drive but in my case (and others) it's still not fixing the problem causing the loop effect. Glad to hear yours recovered itself.

Another option is to reset your ps3 back to factory settings and then reformat the drive. I'm not sure if this will change anything, but maybe it needs a clean-sweep of everything. This is one good reason to use the back-up utility every so often on an external drive.

-Splints

Another option is to reset your ps3 back to factory settings and then reformat the drive. I'm not sure if this will change anything, but maybe it needs a clean-sweep of everything. This is one good reason to use the back-up utility every so often on an external drive.

-Splints

Thanks for the tip but it was a no go. I found where you could reset the PS3 by holding the power button on for three beeps. It did give me an HDMI option and it reset my resolution which was more than I could do before but after that it went back to looping. I'm still looking for a SATA connection on family/friends PC's so far 3 strikes.