Recover files from crashed PS3 hard drive?

[CFFJR]

I mentioned a couple weeks ago in another topic that my PS3's hard drive randomly took a shit and crashed.

I already tried all of the possible fixes using the system, and the only option left there is to reformat the drive.

I tried to connect the drive to my pc (with a cable) to recover that way, and while the pc recognizes the device, I can't actually view any files. Now I'm finding some info claiming that it is simply impossible to recover any files from the drive because the PS3 uses a format only it can understand.

So I guess the question is, has anybody ever successfully recovered save files and the like from a Ps3 hard drive, or should I just give up and reformat the damn thing and lose everything, since its essentially already lost?

[Xeogred]

That sounds terrible dude.

Since you are able to connect it to your PC though, have you tried maybe some kind of bootable recovery programs or something? Maybe even Linux would do it, I dunno. Almost kind of worked for me when one of my external drives funked up, but I can imagine this is a lot more tricky with a PS3...

[CFFJR]

Yeah I did try a recovery program. While it was able to pull up some files after a scan, there were only 3 files at 2 mb each. Opening them revealed a bunch of scrambled nonsense that I can't really describe.

So, no luck on that front I'm afraid.

[Xeogred]

Were they bootable programs though? Sometimes that can make a difference.

[CFFJR]

Mm, no, they were just folders filled with text.

Not code, I should specify. They were weird, garbled symbols.

[CFFJR]

Bump for input.

[irixith]

The information you've received already is correct unfortunately. The PS3 hard drive uses a proprietary encrypted file system that can only be read in your particular PS3. If you tried to transfer it into another PS3 for example, it would be formatted immediately.

There are currently no tools to read anything from the drive on the PC.

There is ONE thing you can try before wiping it out and losing everything on it. Since the PS3 takes standard 2.5" SATA hard drives, get yourself another 2.5" SATA drive of EQUAL size. (i.e. if you have a 160GB, get a second 160GB). Using a hard drive cloning tool such as Acronis (I mention Acronis specifically because I know that it works), do a byte for byte clone from your "dead" drive to the new drive. Pop the new drive into your PS3 and 9 times out of 10 everything is a-ok.

If that doesn't work, there are unfortunately no other options right now.

[CFFJR]

Thank you irixith, you've given me hope!

I'll definitely hold out and try that.

Thanks also for confirming the other stuff. Its disappointing, but its still good to know there's one last option.