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How to Get Saves From a Broken PlayStation 3

To a gamer, the prospect of losing valuable saved data is terrifying. Saved data used to be kept on the game cart or in memory cards. However, consoles have moved away from this, and now store the data directly on the console. If your PS3 becomes damaged or falls victim to the Yellow Light of Death that indicates system failure, you may need to replace it. Luckily, all your saved data and game downloads can be recovered by removing the old hard disk drive and installing it into your new console.

Things You'll Need

Flat head screwdriver
Phillips head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the broken console and place it on a level working surface.
- 2
  Look on the side of the unit for a panel marked "HDD." Insert a flat head screwdriver into the notch on the panel to pry the HDD cover free. If you are working on a Slim PS3, then the panel will be on the bottom of the unit and swing free, rather than detach.
- 3
  Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the blue screw beneath the panel.
- 4
  Grasp the small lever on the tray and pull. The HDD tray will slide out.
- 5
  Remove the four Phillips screws holding the HDD to the tray. On the original PS3 models, these screws are located on the sides of the tray. The Slim PS3 tray screws are located on the underside of the tray.
- 6
  Remove the HDD from the tray.
- 7
  Repeat the above steps for the new PlayStation unit.
- 8
  Place the old HDD with your saved game data onto the tray for the new PS3.
- 9
  Secure the HDD with the four tray screws and reinsert it into the drive bay.
- 10
  Secure the tray with the blue screw and replace the tray cover.
- 11
  Plug in the new console and power it on. All your data is now recovered.

PlayStation 3