Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This tutorial will show CFW and PS3HEN PS3 users how to replace the hard drive in any model PS3 to a new hard drive or SSD while keeping your data intact! There's a lot to cover here due to three different models, size limitations, and necessary steps to retain or restore a modification during the upgrade process. This video aims to cover as many bases as possible with the goal of increasing console storage, performance, and restoring any backed up data!

This method requires you to have either a jailbroken PS3 console running custom firmware or a console modified with PS3HEN. This video will assume you already own a modified console and have at least a basic understanding of how to navigate it.

#PS3HEN #CFW #PS3

This video has been made with Fair Use in mind and has been created as an educational piece of media.

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Timestamps!

0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Prerequisites
2:31 - Important Information on Internal Drive Sizes!
5:11 - Determining Mod Type (CFW or HEN)
6:31 - Updating CFW Before Upgrade (for CFW Users)
13:33 - Data Backup via FTP
19:26 - Replacing the HDD
22:47 - Initializing the New Drive
23:36 - Updating HFW Before Upgrade (for PS3HEN Users)
25:22 - Reinstalling Firmware
27:17 - Reinstalling PS3HEN
28:18 - Reinstalling Necessary Homebrew
29:20 - Data Restore via FTP
31:57 - Rebuilding Database in Safe Mode
34:19 - Unlock More Storage!
36:42 - Outro

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Buy a PS3 From Here! (Affiliate Links):

Internal Hard Drive:
AliExpress - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DE9b7S9
Amazon - geni.us/Jtx2wen
eBay - ebay.us/DyIRss

Internal SSD:
AliExpress - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDAfDAz
Amazon - geni.us/pgRg4mb
eBay - ebay.us/A9oIOw

USB Flash Drive:
AliExpress - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9fTYtx
Amazon - geni.us/pFA9I
eBay - ebay.us/uowUuL

Phat PS3:
Amazon - geni.us/HS8EozJ
eBay - ebay.us/56hUi0

Slim PS3:
Amazon - geni.us/zmm9gM
eBay - ebay.us/PGBGuE

Super Slim PS3:
Amazon - geni.us/ffZEs
eBay - ebay.us/OEnuyc

PS3 Controller:
Amazon - geni.us/dDxK5kZ
eBay - ebay.us/VPNvPs

Mini USB Cable:
AliExpress - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bauZyc2y
Amazon - geni.us/Ji9WOh
eBay - ebay.us/dM17vR

Video Hardware I Use:
US - amazon.com/shop/mrmario2011
UK - amazon.co.uk/shop/mrmario2011

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Downloads & Links!

PS3 Internal Hard Drive Maximum Capacity from PSDevWiki:
psdevwiki.com/ps3/Harddrive#Internal_Harddrive_maximum_capacity

Rufus:
https://rufus.ie/en_US/

PS3 CFW Downloads:
psx-place.com/forums/ps3-cfw-custom-firmware.179

PS3Xploit for HFW Downloads & PS3HEN Installation:
ps3xploit.me

7-Zip:
7-zip.org

MD5 Checker:
emn178.github.io/online-tools/md5_checksum.html

Upgrading Your PS3 Hard Drive from ConsoleMods:
consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:Upgrading_your_Hard_Drive

WinSCP:
winscp.net/eng/download.php

multiMAN:
store.brewology.com/multiman.php

PS3 Unlock HDD Space App:
store.brewology.com/ahomebrew.php?brewid=327

How to Jailbreak Your PS3:
youtu.be/LIVu3Px3eXY

How to Install PS3HEN on Any PS3:
youtu.be/Ze3UMdMakvk

PS3 Channel Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1CadovfabPsSL6j1QRMJrThmnZFaNMe6

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Social Media & More!

Discord: https://Discord.Me/MrMario2011
Patreon: patreon.com/MrMario2011
Second Channel: youtube.com/iPsychozoa
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mrmario2011.com
Twitter: twitter.com/MrMario2011
Facebook: facebook.com/MrMario2011
Instagram: instagram.com/MrMario2011
Twitch: twitch.tv/MrMario2011

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Song Information
Artist: pyama
Song: snow fall
Soundcloud: literalbagoftrash
Link: soundcloud.com/literalbagoftrash

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Any links specifically listed as affiliate links give me a small monetary kickback at no extra cost to you and no influence on the content.