Formatting HDD for PS3 backup (FAT32)

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  • #1
    thedooku
    Honorary DSA
    • Sep 2008
    • 1701

    Formatting HDD for PS3 backup (FAT32)

    So I'm having some trouble formatting an external drive to backup my PS3s. Thought this would be a good time to ask for some expert advice.

    PS3 uses FAT32 format, so my external 500GB drive needs to be reformatted from NTFS to FAT32. Windows 7 does not give me any option (that I can find) to format a disk to FAT32. I attempted to format it using the cmd prompt "format *drive letter*: /FS:FAT32" and after several hours it returned a message saying the disc size was too large for the file format?!

    Ideally, I would like to use the same 500GB external to backup both of my PS3s, one 60 one 250gb.

    I have a couple questions that I hope someone can help me with:

    -What do you recommend I use to reformat the external HDD to FAT32? (I had someone recommend Swiss Knife?)

    -Can I create 2 different partitions and use one for each PS3?

    Thanks in advance


    "The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it"
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    • #2
      BOSS
      Imperial Advisor
      • Jun 2005
      • 5834
      I had to reformat my 1 TB external HDD and this is what I noticed:

      You can only reformat a small portion of your HDD using the default method, so you're not missing anything. It's basically splitting the HDD into 2 formats and the Windows method only
      lets you do a set amount (I think it was 32GB for FAT32) which means you may have put in a smaller amount to format for it to work. Wasn't worth it IMO since I wanted more space on my HDD to use my PS3 data.

      SwissKnife works because it allows you to change the format of the entire HDD (or larger portions) to FAT32. I used a different program (can't recall the name), but this is is your best bet.
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        • #3
          keyser28146
          Honorary DSA
          Leaders in Mass-Capacity Storage | Seagate US
          http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=MaxBlast_5&vgnextoid=7add8b9c4a8ff010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD
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          Download Maxblast from Seagate, linked above. Easy, fast, and flawless. Once you install it, select the "add new drive" feature. Go from there. Easy and sweet.
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            • #4
              thedooku
              Honorary DSA
              • Sep 2008
              • 1701
              BOSS, thanks, but I discovered SwissKnife is not compatible with Windows 7.

              Keyser, downloaded and used....does appear pretty slick.

              Problem I'm having now is I created 2 partitions (both FAT32) one 300GB, one around 175GB....but when I plug the drive in to do a backup on my 250GB PS3, it will only recognize the 175GB partition.

              I can't figure out how to get it to see the other partition. I've wasted a ton of time with this bullshit.....really hope I don't need a second external to do this


              "The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it"

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                • #5
                  BOSS
                  Imperial Advisor
                  • Jun 2005
                  • 5834
                  Dooku, did you try selecting the HDD (on the PS3) and click triangle and then view all under Video? That should show all the space that's FAT32 because sometimes it will only show a certain amount that's set for stuff like game saves. If it's still only showing 175GB then you may have to tweak that partition.

                  I had this happen to me too, but the "view all" option showed me the larger partition as well. Hope that helps.
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                  "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
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                    • #6
                      thedooku
                      Honorary DSA
                      • Sep 2008
                      • 1701
                      Thanks Boss, I tried that a few times, tried reformatting a couple times. Just can't get either PS3 to recognize the larger partition. One partition is 50gb, the other 250gb. Both formatted fat32 as primary partitions.

                      I'm wondering if there is some max size for the PS3 to recognize? Thought it might be the primary vs logical partition choice, but since both PS3s can see the 50gb partition and both are primary partitions, I'm really confused.

                      I copied a video and a pic to the 250gb partition to see if I could find them using the "display all" triangle function....but they and their partition still don't show up.

                      Other than the difference in partition size, there is no difference in the way I configured or formatted them. Back to Google.


                      "The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it"

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                        • #7
                          BOSS
                          Imperial Advisor
                          • Jun 2005
                          • 5834
                          I don't think there's a max size for the PS3 to read (mine read the 900GB on my external HDD). That's weird though. Can't imagine why it wouldn't at least detect both partitions since they're FAT32. The only thing I can think of is maybe changing the 50GB back to NTFS (if possible) so the PS3 can only read the other partition.
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                          "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
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                            • #8
                              EagleOne
                              Honorary DSA
                              If you are using Windows, plug in the HDD and hit the start button on the task bar. Right click on Computer and select manage. Go down to the disk management and click that. Right click on the drive you want. Afterwards you can fin the format option or delete partition option. Click on the link below for a screen shot video of how to do it.

                              Click here.


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