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How to Use a PS3 Drive in a Computer

The Sony PlayStation 3 uses the same 2.5-inch hard drive that all laptop computers use. This means that the PS3 hard drive can be used as your laptop's new hard drive in case it fails. You can also upgrade your laptop hard drive with the PS3's larger capacity hard drive and place the smaller one into your PS3 if you only plan on saving game data onto your PS3. Either way, it is an option when you are thinking about replacing the hard drive in your laptop.

Things You'll Need

Sony PlayStation 3
Flat-head screwdriver
Laptop computer
Operating system installation disc

Instructions

- 1
  Power off your Sony PlayStation 3 unit by sliding the rear "Power" button to the "Off" position. Unplug the power cord from the PS3. Locate the small hard drive cover on the side of the PS3. Use your flat-head screwdriver to pry the cover off of the hard drive slot. Pry gently to avoid breaking the plastic cover.
- 2
  Remove the screw in the center of the hard drive carriage to release the lever for the hard drive carriage. The hard drive, along with the carriage, will now slide out of the PS3. Remove the four screws around the hard drive carriage. Remove the hard drive from the carriage.
- 3
  Turn off your laptop and remove the power cable to prevent any power surge to the laptop parts while it is open. Open the underside of the laptop by removing the screws. Many laptops have compartment doors for easy access to certain parts of the computer. Locate the hard drive and remove the screws that secure it. Remove the hard drive and place the new one from the PS3 into the laptop. Replace the screws and cover onto the laptop.
- 4
  Turn the laptop on by pressing the "Power" button. The hard drive does not have any operating system on it, so you will need to format it and install either a Windows or Linux operating system onto it. Do this by placing the installation disc into the laptop disc drive and boot the computer from the disc drive. Verify that you want to boot from the drive by pressing any key when asked. Read each window that appears during the installation and select your options for the installation. Your computer will reboot when the install is finished.

Sony PSP