Help my PS3 Died

[rod_hynes]

Hey guys, My PS3 Died and I was wondering if there was a way I could put the hard drive into a new PS3 without losing all of my Data, does it reformat it no matter what you do? My PS3 doesn't stay on, so I can't go back-up my data. HELP! Thanks.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Hey guys, My PS3 Died and I was wondering if there was a way I could put the hard drive into a new PS3 without losing all of my Data, does it reformat it no matter what you do? My PS3 doesn't stay on, so I can't go back-up my data. HELP! Thanks.

Unfortunately, yes. The hard drive gets "married" to the PS3 system, and all data on it is basically scrambled and cannot be copied off using another PS3 or a computer.

Yes, the new PS3 will reformat your hard drive no matter what.

Currently the only way to prevent any loss of (savegame) data is to either manually back up all the save games regularly (best practice as with your computer data, really) or buy into PlayStation Plus, where you can store/back up your save game data online.

Depending on the symptoms of your PS3 being on the brink of dying and staying dead: If you are out of warranty, you might want to open it up (or have someone do it for you) and clear out the dust and gunk that might be clogging the system. If heat is the issue, you might buy enough time to back up your data. Some PS3s got a new lease of life for months or years after serious cleaning. Others truly stayed dead because they were basically toasted, fried and baked over with dust cake.

If your system is busted for good, there's really not much you can do but sell it for parts - minus your hard drive of course, because if someone was determined/savvy enough to fix your PS3, he'd inevitably have access to your (stored) account(s). Good luck.