[SOLVED] Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32

vermonthelix · 01-28-2008, 04:34 PM

Hi, I have posted this question on many threads and I was hoping someone here would be able to help. I have an 80gb external hdd that I am trying to use to backup files from my Playstation 3 so that I can reformat the internal hdd to install a YDL OS. Unfortunately the console recognizes that something has been inputted when I plug in the usb cable from the external HDD because the loading icon appears. However, this soon ends and the hardrive is never officially recognized by the system. I am aware that it must be formatted in Fat32 inorder to work, and both the manual and the pc has confirmed that it was factory preconditioned in Fat32 format. However the system will still not recognize it. I was thinking that maybe it had preinstalled files which required a PC to work and not a PPC like what the Playstation is. If this were so, then would programs like push button back-up be affect it's ability to recognize it? And then if it is, should I just delete the partition, and start from scratch with some program like swissknife? any help at all would be greatly appreciated as I am eagerly awaiting the Feb. 18th release of YDL v6.0
Much thanks

JohnthePilot · 01-28-2008, 05:10 PM

Hi and welcome to TSF.
I have moved your post to a new thread as threads are user-specific and not topic-specific. Although your problem and the symptoms may be the same as the original poster's, the solution may not be and this can cause confusion as I'm sure you will appreciate.

**Jack.Sparrow** · 01-29-2008, 12:52 AM

Hi vermonthelix,

If you are ABSOLUTELY sure the filesystem is FAT32, then you won't need to use Swiss Knife.

All you need to do in order to the HDD to work on your PS is create a folder system similar to the HDD inside your PS3. This isn't as complicated as one might think.

On your completely empty HDD, create 4 new folders. Call them
Music, Photo, Video and Game. They should all be empty. This extends your storage capacity.

To back up your data, the PS3 has a built in back up software utility. If all you want to do is back up your data, you don't need to create the above folders. Just plug it in, and back it up. If this is where the error occurs, post back and we'll see if we can solve it

Side note - Does the external HDD have anything on it? Also, how did you figure out it wasn't being recognised?

vermonthelix · 01-29-2008, 09:29 AM

Thank you for responding so quickly,
as I said before I checked both the manual the computer for what format it was in and both told me that it was in fat32. I downloaded swissknife last night anyways, and I believe I was indeed correct that there were factory installed programs that were keeping the ps3 from recognizing it. I deleted the factory conditioned partition and reformatted it in fat32 and it worked perfectly afterwards. Through researching this problem on the web I have seen people having issues repeatedly with this, even when their hdd is formatted in fat32, and if you could spread the word that if you just delete the partition and reformat it, it should work that would be greatly appreciated thank you so much. p.s. the first thing i had orignally tried creating new file types that the ps3 would recognize, but it should be known that no hdd icon would show up..
thank you so much
-VermontHelix

**Jack.Sparrow** · 01-29-2008, 09:17 PM

I'm glad you sorted it out.

01-28-2008, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
vermonthelix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WIN XP	[SOLVED] Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32 Hi, I have posted this question on many threads and I was hoping someone here would be able to help. I have an 80gb external hdd that I am trying to use to backup files from my Playstation 3 so that I can reformat the internal hdd to install a YDL OS. Unfortunately the console recognizes that something has been inputted when I plug in the usb cable from the external HDD because the loading icon appears. However, this soon ends and the hardrive is never officially recognized by the system. I am aware that it must be formatted in Fat32 inorder to work, and both the manual and the pc has confirmed that it was factory preconditioned in Fat32 format. However the system will still not recognize it. I was thinking that maybe it had preinstalled files which required a PC to work and not a PPC like what the Playstation is. If this were so, then would programs like push button back-up be affect it's ability to recognize it? And then if it is, should I just delete the partition, and start from scratch with some program like swissknife? any help at all would be greatly appreciated as I am eagerly awaiting the Feb. 18th release of YDL v6.0 Much thanks

01-28-2008, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnthePilot Manager, TSF Articles Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cheltenham, near Wales. Posts: 30,780 OS: XP Home SP3, PCLinux, Vista Home Premium SP1 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32 Hi and welcome to TSF. I have moved your post to a new thread as threads are user-specific and not topic-specific. Although your problem and the symptoms may be the same as the original poster's, the solution may not be and this can cause confusion as I'm sure you will appreciate. __________________ Submit New Articles Here If you feel that TSF has helped you please make a donationand help to keep the forum free Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon Folding@Home - Team 85015

01-29-2008, 12:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 17,867 OS: XP SP3/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32 Hi vermonthelix, If you are ABSOLUTELY sure the filesystem is FAT32, then you won't need to use Swiss Knife. All you need to do in order to the HDD to work on your PS is create a folder system similar to the HDD inside your PS3. This isn't as complicated as one might think. On your completely empty HDD, create 4 new folders. Call them Music, Photo, Video and Game. They should all be empty. This extends your storage capacity. To back up your data, the PS3 has a built in back up software utility. If all you want to do is back up your data, you don't need to create the above folders. Just plug it in, and back it up. If this is where the error occurs, post back and we'll see if we can solve it Side note - Does the external HDD have anything on it? Also, how did you figure out it wasn't being recognised? __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Posting Screenshots//Posting System Specs//Donations//

01-29-2008, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
vermonthelix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WIN XP	Re: Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32 Thank you for responding so quickly, as I said before I checked both the manual the computer for what format it was in and both told me that it was in fat32. I downloaded swissknife last night anyways, and I believe I was indeed correct that there were factory installed programs that were keeping the ps3 from recognizing it. I deleted the factory conditioned partition and reformatted it in fat32 and it worked perfectly afterwards. Through researching this problem on the web I have seen people having issues repeatedly with this, even when their hdd is formatted in fat32, and if you could spread the word that if you just delete the partition and reformat it, it should work that would be greatly appreciated thank you so much. p.s. the first thing i had orignally tried creating new file types that the ps3 would recognize, but it should be known that no hdd icon would show up.. thank you so much -VermontHelix

01-29-2008, 09:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 17,867 OS: XP SP3/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: [SOLVED] Need to format Usb Hdd to FAT32 I'm glad you sorted it out. __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Posting Screenshots//Posting System Specs//Donations//