[LunacyFringe]

I've tried searching this already but google returns nothing and I get 403 Forbidden errors when I try using the HaX search..

Anyway, I got myself a 250gb HD and put it in my PS3 tonight, all fine.
I also got a 2.5" SATA external enclosure with the intention of using the old 40gb HD as an external drive.

Problem is that when I plug my USB enclosure into my PC with the HD inside, it doesn't display it. I'm running Windows Vista and am using this enclosure.

I've tried using Active@ Killdisk to try and erase all files on the HD so I can format it, but it can't find it either.

Is there any way of reading/formatting the old 40gb HD? Or am I now left with a useless drive?

[Bubble Guts]

Originally Posted by LunacyFringe I've tried searching this already but google returns nothing and I get 403 Forbidden errors when I try using the HaX search.. Anyway, I got myself a 250gb HD and put it in my PS3 tonight, all fine. I also got a 2.5" SATA external enclosure with the intention of using the old 40gb HD as an external drive. Problem is that when I plug my USB enclosure into my PC with the HD inside, it doesn't display it. I'm running Windows Vista and am using this enclosure. I've tried using Active@ Killdisk to try and erase all files on the HD so I can format it, but it can't find it either. Is there any way of reading/formatting the old 40gb HD? Or am I now left with a useless drive?

ps3 hdd is encrypted. you cannot view write or erase from a pc. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[LunacyFringe]

So is there a way to, say, use the format utility on the PS3 to format the HD so there is nothing on it? Or does this process install the PS3 operating system as well?

[Bubble Guts]

Originally Posted by LunacyFringe So is there a way to, say, use the format utility on the PS3 to format the HD so there is nothing on it? Or does this process install the PS3 operating system as well?

reformatting the drive erases all the information off the hdd

[uncholowapo]

Originally Posted by Bubble Guts ps3 hdd is encrypted. you cannot view write or erase from a pc. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

It is possible to erase it from a PC. Most of my friends have done it. All they did was plug it in when it was in their enclosure and it appeared as a USB storage device. Then they format it in FAT32 so that it can be read by the PS3 and the PC.

[LunacyFringe]

Yeah that's my problem, Windows won't recognise the HD when I plug it in. Obviously this is a security feature of the PS3 - Sony won't be wanting people checking out the files on the old HD on their PCs.

But there must be a way to get rid of everything from the drive and format it in Windows. Otherwise there must be a lot of people out there with useless old hard drives..

[uncholowapo]

It should be detected. It doesn't matter if the stuff on the HDD is encrypted because your computer should still be able to detect the connection. One question how are you connecting it externally? (USB, SATA, IDE, etc.)

[N3M3SYS]

Originally Posted by uncholowapo It should be detected. It doesn't matter if the stuff on the HDD is encrypted because your computer should still be able to detect the connection. One question how are you connecting it externally? (USB, SATA, IDE, etc.)

Try connecting the hard drive internaly to your PC. If the drive isn't detected then, it could be Vista (witch is a piece of sh!t operating system). Listen to your HDD, does it sound like it's being powered? Check to make sure you have proper USB drivers if your connecting it through USB. I know Vista had firewire issues as well. And like uncholowapo said, it should be detected regardless of encryption.

[LunacyFringe]

Originally Posted by uncholowapo One question how are you connecting it externally? (USB, SATA, IDE, etc.)

Connecting it via USB.

When I plug the enclosure in (it is USB-powered) the HD spins and I can hear it loading.

The only thing I can think of is that I didn't format it before taking it out of the PS3. I'm gonna try putting it back in my PS3, formatting it, then plugging it back into my comp to see if it reads it then.

If that doesn't work I'll be pretty pissed off!

[uncholowapo]

Doesn't hurt to try. If you have a linux system around your house use the lsusb command to see if your computer actually registers the input of the drive. It could be your USB port.