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What Hidden Functions Does a PS3 Have?

Most of Sony's PlayStation 3 console's functions are listed in the various sections of the system's XrossMediaBar (XMB). The system has a number of functions and features, however, that are hidden and not visible in the XMB. These features include the ability to play PS one games, download game saves, boot the system in recovery mode and force the system to detect the video input. Because these functions are hidden, they require a bit of inside information to access.

Play PS one Games
- Sony may have removed the ability to play PlayStation 2 games on PlayStation 3 systems, but players can still use the PlayStation 3 to play PS one games. This feature is included in every PlayStation 3 model, including the PS3 Slim. To use this feature, simply insert the PS one disc into the PS3's optical drive and select the PS one-format game disc when it appears beneath the "Game" heading.
Downloadable Game Saves
- PlayStation 3 game saves are saved directly onto the system's hard drive. If you accidentally delete your game save or if you want to jump ahead to a certain part in a game, you can download a game save from the Internet and place it on your PS3 system. PS3 Game Saves, PS3 Hax and PS3 News are a few of the websites that offer these game saves for download. After you have downloaded the game save, simply place it on a USB storage device, connect the device to the PS3 system and copy the game save to the system's hard drive.
Recovery Menu
- If there is an error during your firmware installation, you can place your PS3 system into recovery mode. From here, you can restore default settings, restore the file system, rebuild the system's database, restore the entire system or update the firmware. To access this menu, turn off the system and press and hold the power button. You will hear one beep, followed by a second beep. Continue to hold the power button until you hear a third beep and the system shuts off. Press and hold the power button again. This time you will hear two slow beeps, followed by two rapid beeps. After you hear the two rapid beeps, release the power button and the system will boot into the recovery menu.
Change Video Input
- If you connect your system to another television using a different video input, you must change the system's video settings so that the input is detected. If you do not change these settings prior to connecting the system to the new TV, however, you will be unable to see the menu settings in order to change them. To force the system to detect the new video input, turn off the system and press and hold the power button. Continue to hold the power button until the system beeps twice; then release the power button and the system will detect the new video input.

PlayStation 3