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How to Reset the CPU and GPU on the PS3

If you are running into problems with your PlaysSation 3's (PS3) central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), playing games, watching movies and browsing the Internet may be difficult, so resetting your system may be necessary. Resetting your system reboots the motherboard and may improve performance. On a PS3, you can perform a soft or hard reset. A soft reset reboots the system without erasing files, while a hard reset deletes saved data and restores the default settings. Reset your PS3 quickly and safely.

Instructions

Soft Reset
- 1
  Press and hold the "Power" button on your PS3 for about 10 seconds.
- 2
  Release the "Power" button when the power light turns red. Your system turns on automatically. Load a disc into the tray, then test to see it it's working.
- 3
  Perform another soft reset if your device is still not functioning properly.
Hard Reset
- 4
  Select "System," then select "Backup" to backup your files before performing a hard a reset.
- 5
  Press the "Power" switch on the back of your system to turn it off and then turn it back on. Press the "Power" switch on the front for a few seconds (until the system beeps). Your console comes on.
- 6
  Go through a new setup and select "Format" from the "System" menu. It may take up to three hours for the disk to format.
- 7
  Restore your backup files when the reset completes.

PlayStation 3