PS3 Error

[Saga]

My PS3 red screened and unfortunately, it's out of warranty. I don't have any of my saved game data backed up, and since Sony erases and reformats the hard drive when they receive the PS3 for service, I lose all of it if I send it in. Also, I can't just buy another PS3 and swap hard drives, since apparently that'll reformat my original hard drive, too. So what the fuck can I do to backup my saved game data? Anything? Can I get some SATA connectors and connect the hard drive to my PS3 and back it up that way??

[Kaisha]

Does the PS3 itself actually boot up? Could just back it up blindly using a guide if so. Never heard of the red screen thing before, just the usual YLOD.

[Saga]

Yeah, it boots up fine, but just sticks to that red screen the entire time. I don't think that the PS3 home screen is just chilling there in the background though, what do you mean do it blindly?

edit: it's this screen I'm getting. http://community.eu.playstation.com/...v=mpbl-1&px=-1

[Devolver]

Without getting to the home menu, I'm not aware of any way to backup your data.

My PS3 was in a similar situation with being unable to get to the XMB (was within a month, no less, and had to be sent in to Sony for repairs). As far as Sony is concerned, you're pretty much left in the cold about this.

After a few days of tireless searching before I sent it off, I never did come up with a way to back up all my junk.

[Krandor]

If Sony is just going to wipe the hard drive when they get it, buy a cheapo 2.5" drive and swap them out, and send Sony the empty drive. When you get it back, swap back out and pawn off the drive on Craigslist/ebay/w/e

[Shojin]

If Sony is just going to wipe the hard drive when they get it, buy a cheapo 2.5" drive and swap them out, and send Sony the empty drive. When you get it back, swap back out and pawn off the drive on Craigslist/ebay/w/e

Won't work because they send you a refurbed unit, not your original unit.

As for your saves you're probably screwed. Backing up somewhat regularly is the only way to really avoid something like this and even then locked saves will still be lost, but it is better than nothing.

Have you tried booting up the PS3 in safe mode and restoring the file system, rebuilding the database or restoring factory settings? Or does that not show either?

[Saga]

Won't work because they send you a refurbed unit, not your original unit.

As for your saves you're probably screwed. Backing up somewhat regularly is the only way to really avoid something like this and even then locked saves will still be lost, but it is better than nothing.

Have you tried booting up the PS3 in safe mode and restoring the file system, rebuilding the database or restoring factory settings? Or does that not show either?

Argh so they do send you a refurbed unit? Wasn't sure if they sent back my original or not. And literally, nothing comes up on the screen except that bright ass red background saying "A serious error has occurred. Please contact system support." or whatever, in two dozen languages. There's no home screen, no idea how to boot it up in safe mode, nothing I can click or open or anything. It's locked on that red screen.

Making them repair it will cost around $150 after shipping and handling, but I dunno if I want another big ass 80GB fat PS3. Think it's worth just dropping another $150 for a new 120gb slim model? I never play old PS2 games, could care less about BC.

[Shojin]

The red screen error seems to be extremely rare (This is the first I've heard of it honestly, and looking it up other people seem to be pretty oblivious to it too) so I wouldn't worry about getting it again. The bigger problem with most units is overheating problems causing YLOD. It really is up to you what you want, personally I'd get a slim just because of how much less power it uses and the lower chance of overheating, not to mention is quieter.

Did you call Sony? I've heard they give the chance to replace your unit with a refurbed slim now.

Anyway, here is everything you need to know about safemode http://us.playstation.com/support/an....htm?a_id=1488 but sounds like you won't be able to access it anyway.

[Saga]

The red screen error seems to be extremely rare (This is the first I've heard of it honestly, and looking it up other people seem to be pretty oblivious to it too) so I wouldn't worry about getting it again. The bigger problem with most units is overheating problems causing YLOD. It really is up to you what you want, personally I'd get a slim just because of how much less power it uses and the lower chance of overheating, not to mention is quieter.

Did you call Sony? I've heard they give the chance to replace your unit with a refurbed slim now.

Anyway, here is everything you need to know about safemode http://us.playstation.com/support/an....htm?a_id=1488 but sounds like you won't be able to access it anyway.

Yeah I called them, didn't ask about if they send a refurbed slim though. Might just save up a little money here soon and snag a slim, just sucks I lose all my game data. 50 hours on 13, probably more than that on MLB 10 the show. Only about halfway through MGS4, but still, no one wants to play through all that shit again. Oh well.

[Shojin]

I know how you feel, I lost a few years worth of save games when my 250gb seagate hard drive (i replaced the 60gb one for a bigger one) died about a year ago. Since then I've made it a habit of backing up to an external hdd every few weeks.

[Kaisha]

I just wish their backup process allowed you to pick-and-choose what got backed up so I didn't have to go about manually clearing patches/game-installs to get it to fit on my drive.

Sony really needs to refine that portion of the PS3, as well as offering a means of transferring crap from one HD to another. I don't see why it's disallowed since any paid content requires you to be logged into your PSN account at least once to tie the new PS3 to it.

[Kriz]

On this topic, I'm trying to salvage a YLOD PS3 for my friend to get his data off. I am trying to use the supposed great Gilsky guide, random google link : http://playstationlifestyle.net/foru...ead.php?t=2376

First go-through failed Gonna buy more Artic Silver thermal grease (hell it's cheap and I need it in IT anyway). He bought a Slim so I can do whatever to get it working again, on the slim hope of getting data off it.

Taught me to backup more, for sure.

[Shojin]

Make sure you don't use too much thermal paste as that's just as bad as using too little. This is assuming it is the solder cracking that caused the YLOD, could be other things too.