Things You'll Need
Instructions
Turn off the PS3. Press the power button on the bottom face of the game system to power it down. If the PS3 does not react, hold down the button until the PS3 shuts down.
Allow the PS3 several minutes to cool fully.
Turn the PS3 back on and check to see if the icons are showing. If they are not, power the PS3 back off and disconnect it from the power outlet.
Find the black plastic flap on the side of the PS3 labeled "HDD." Pull it up and off.
Look at the end of the white hard drive enclosure that has been revealed. Remove the blue in the middle using a Husky precision screwdriver. A more common Phillips screwdriver may also work.
Slide and pull the metal "paper clip" tab on the bottom of the exposed hard drive to remove the drive from the PS3.
Remove the two silver-colored screws from the side of the hard drive where the blue screw once was. Use your screwdriver as before.
Remove the metal shield from the back of the hard drive. It should now be loose, so pry it off gently.
Dispose of the old hard drive and fit the metal shield onto the new one.
Follow the procedure in reverse to install the new hard drive. Your PS3's icon issue will be fixed.