How to Access PS3 HDD From a PC

The PlayStation 3 uses a hard disk drive that is functionally similar to one found in a PC. With just a few common household tools, you can connect a PS3’s hard drive to a PC to allow the Windows operating system to access the drive's contents. Both the PS3 and the PC will need to be somewhat disassembled, but neither will have its warranty negatively impacted. The procedure can be reversed once the PC has been used to access the PS3’s HDD.

Remove all cables from the PS3. Pull the HDD compartment cover off the right side of the PS3 with your fingers. Remove the blue screw at the upper lip of the HDD cage with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver.

Pull the locking latch on the front of the HDD cage to the left with your fingers. Pull the HDD cage out of the PS3.

Place the HDD cage on a table. Remove the screws around the HDD cage with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver. Slide the PS3’s HDD out of the HDD cage.

Remove all cables from the PC. Open the side or back panel of the PC with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the side or back panel aside.

Remove the screw from the upper corner of a hard-disk tray inside an empty hard-drive bay with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver. Pull the hard-drive tray out of the bay. Pull the two cables inside of the hard drive bay out.

Place the hard-drive tray on a table. Remove the screws from both sides of the hard drive tray with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver. Slide the PS3 HDD into the hard drive tray with the connectors on the back facing out. Attach the screws to both sides of the hard-drive tray with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver.

Plug the two cables from inside of the hard drive bay into the appropriate connections on the back of the PS3’s HDD. Slide the tray back into the hard-drive bay. Reattach the screw. Place the side or back panel back onto the PC. Reattach the screws and PC cables.

Turn on the PC. Wait for the desktop to appear on the screen. Launch the Windows Explorer program that is included with the Window operating system by selecting it from the “Start,” “All Programs,” “Accessories” pop-up menu.

Click once on the icon for the PS3’s HDD appears in the left column of the Windows Explorer program’s main screen. Review the PS3 hard drive's folders and files, which are listed in the middle and right columns of the Windows Explorer program’s main screen.