How to Replace a Playstation 3 Hard Drive

Purchase a compatible hard drive. The PS3's hard drive port is compatible with most SATA hard drives. A 5400 RPM SATA is the best fit, but 7200 RPM drives will work as well if they fall within the PS3's 2.5-inch hard drive port.

Power off your PS3, then locate the hard drive bay on the left side of your PS3. You will see a small black door that says "HDD" on it. Pull out your mini screwdriver set (an eyeglass repair kit works just fine) and use the mini flathead to pry off the black door. Be careful not to pull too hard, as you will have to snap this door back into place once you are finished installing the new drive.

Remove the blue screw on the top of the hard drive bay using your mini flathead. This is the screw that holds the hard drive to its bay, so use caution. Once it is gone, gently pull the drive toward you until it is completely removed.

Remove the four screws that hold the current hard drive in a metal casing. Each screw is in a corner of the casing. Once removed, the metal pieces will come off the old hard drive easily. Place your new hard drive in the same casing and replace the screws.

Slide the new hard drive into the PS3 port, data side first. Once it is in place, it will feel a little loose. However, once you replace the blue screw you removed in Step 1, the port will tighten up.

Pop the plastic cover back on, then power the console back on. The PS3's software will identify the new hard drive and begin to format it and install new firmware. This process takes about half an hour. Once finished, your hard drive has been completely installed.