PS3 General Discussion

[superwally]

I had the same issue as GT3man after I started using a headset and the wireless keypad that hooks on the sixxaxis/ds3, none of my controllers would "hold" the synch. I solved by resetting the settings, and found that the problem will occasionally return if I don't turn the PS3 on with the controller. Strange.

 

[harrytuttle]

Internally, any 2.5" SATA drive (often referred to as laptop/notebook drives).

However, if you want to use a SATA adapter, like this one, you can then use any SATA drive you like... which is especially nice considering you can get higher capacity drives that also cost less than 2.5" drives... but it also means you can't place your PS3 on it's side without accommodating for the now external SATA cable.

Are there any issues using SSD drives? Assuming I'm not worried about total storage, I'd like to see what the boost in speed would be when using a solid state drive.

 

[Drillah]

Are there any issues using SSD drives? Assuming I'm not worried about total storage, I'd like to see what the boost in speed would be when using a solid state drive.

I'm actually still reading it now but there is an article here:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2332520,00.asp

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I'm actually still reading it now but there is an article here:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2332520,00.asp

Thanks for the link!

Is It Worth It?

Okay, so the long and short of it is this: Swapping out that PS3 hard drive for one of Intel's X-25 solid-state drives won't do much to improve install times from game discs, but it will improve install times from downloaded games and most game startup and load times by anywhere from 25–40%, depending on the situation.

That's a huge improvement, but is it worth it? This 80GB drive costs in the $660–700 range, which is considerably more than the PS3 itself. Considering that the base PS3 model these days is the $400 unit that already has an 80GB hard drive, you're not even trading up to higher capacity unless you happened to buy an older 60GB unit or the bargain 40GB unit. And it's a downgrade if you got the 160GB Drake's Fortune bundle pack.

So no, clearly it doesn't really make economic sense to swap out the PS3's hard drive for a solid-state drive just yet. SSD prices have to plummet quite a bit before that happens. But we see people spend money to trick out their PS3s all the time, with laser etching and all sorts of crazy stuff. If you have money to burn, this is a neat way to spend it on something that will actually make one of the pain points of the PS3 a bit more tolerable. Besides, it's just cool.

While the percentage speed increase looks impressive on paper, the problem is the speeds are already so fast, so all you are saving is maybe 5-15 seconds it takes to start a game, and even less for loading times.

Considering the ultra high cost of SSD and limited storage, and the fact that you are saving only seconds, it certainly would not be anything I would ever consider doing.

 

[Appie]

So someone made a article of how to improve PSN. Very interesting to read.

Link

 

[FoolKiller]

OK, so it seems that Savage Moon is kicking my butt. I can't get past the first non-tutorial level. The tutorial levels all have fairly well defined paths and then the moment you get one with tutorials it is basically open with just a few rocks scattered about.

Anyone have any hints?


Also, if anyone is playing High Velocity Bowling online, even just for trophies, let me know.

I am growing tired of the ringers hitting up the beginner alleys. You know, I don't expect to play a guy in Beginner Rama who gets 9 strikes. I don't mind losing a game, but getting hustled is a bit unnerving. Of course, so is having a guy "lose" his Internet connection just before the game ends where I win. Fortunately, it goes ahead and credits me with a win.

So anyone who wants to play let me know. I prefer gaming with people I somewhat know. Also, I do have a headset and trash talking during the game can be fun, but if you don't have one I am fine with that as I will just turn on my custom music then.

I also have all add-on characters and tend to use Mike "The Strike" a lot, so you may not see my guy if you don't have them.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

So someone made a article of how to improve PSN. Very interesting to read.

Link

... and presented quite well. 👍

I also agree with most of their suggestions, thanks for the link.

 

[magburner]

... and presented quite well. 👍

I also agree with most of their suggestions, thanks for the link.

Handy that is. 👍 I was wondering (the other day), if there is an application that tells you who is online on the PSN from your PC? Something Like Live Messenger that mirrors your friends list with similar functionality to see who is online doing what? It would be cool if you could message them too.

About booting into Home. I orginally thought thats what Home was all about. It would be great even if the PS3 booted into the Home environment but kept the XMB, ie. did all the connecting and inital loading. There could be a home menu on the XMB that could then take you to your favourite places.

 

[FoolKiller]

I was wondering (the other day), if there is an application that tells you who is online on the PSN from your PC? Something Like Live Messenger that mirrors your friends list with similar functionality to see who is online doing what? It would be cool if you could message them too.

You mean like this?

You can only look, not send messages. And I think it is only available for US accounts as us.playstation.com has been merged with the PlayStation Network now.

I see D-N logged on at lunch, Vonie is playing LBP, and Pako is Folding - or reading news.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

EDIT: Got treed.

I was wondering (the other day), if there is an application that tells you who is online on the PSN from your PC?

Yes...

http://www.us.playstation.com/MyAccount/PSNL/FriendList

You can see who is online, what they are playing, their message, and if they are offline, how long it has been since they have been online.

You can do other things as well from your PC.

 

[GTP_ENERGIYA]

Just a question, if i have a PAL game save data, can i still use that save date if i use a NTSC version of the same game.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Just a question, if i have a PAL game save data, can i still use that save date if i use a NTSC version of the same game.

I believe most game saves can only be used with the same region version of a game. I believe this is also true for games saves that have both a disc version as well as a PSN version. Of course it can't hurt to try it out and see if it works.

 

[magburner]

@FoolKiller & Digital-Nitrate: Awesome, just the ticket. Shame you can't message your friends, or sort the list to show online friends first, but its a good start! 👍

 

[LaBounti]

I got a 320GB 7200rpm SATA 2.5 HDD. Now I cant find the tutorial to install it. I have my external HDD. Going to start backing up in a couple minutes.

 

[hamstrings]

It looks like you've found the tutorial already on the second page. It helps to have the current firmware on a USB flash drive in case the system prompts you for it prior to formatting the new drive. Take your time getting the screws out of the drive caddy; they are on there tight, and you do not want to strip them.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I got a 320GB 7200rpm SATA 2.5 HDD. Now I cant find the tutorial to install it.

Just a few posts above yours...

The following links might be helpful:

• Official Instructions on replacing PS3 HDD (page 16-18)
• PS3 HDD Upgrade Tutorial
• My Experience and Suggestions
• Guides, Suggestions, & Tips on Installing & Using 3rd Party Hardware & OS for the PS3
• PS3+160GB+Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 (56k warning!!! Pics Inside)
• List of Compatible/Incompatible Accessories
• Need help choosing the right HDD
• Compatible Media Formats for the PS3 - UPDATE: Google Media Server w/YouTube in XMB
• Webcams, Bluetooth Headsets & USB Blutooth Dongles for use with PS3's

 

[LaBounti]

Thanks. I've done it. Watching youtube videos on how to do it gave me a lot of misinformation . Now its time to raid the PS Store.

 

[Shadow Wulf 2k]

When upgrading to a new harddrive, and using the "Backup" and "Restore" methods, will copy-protected savegame files be transferred?

I ask because my Mercenaries 2 and TOCA Race Driver 3 saves are copy-protected. Can I expect to lose those?

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

When upgrading to a new harddrive, and using the "Backup" and "Restore" methods, will copy-protected savegame files be transferred?

I believe so. I have upgraded my HDD twice already and have well over 50 games and have yet to come across one that failed to load a previous game save. Granted, there are so few games that have user locked game saves... but seeing as you are still the user, only the HDD is new, I suspect that they should work fine.

 

[Shadow Wulf 2k]

I believe so. I have upgraded my HDD twice already and have well over 50 games and have yet to come across one that failed to load a previous game save. Granted, there are so few games that have user locked game saves... but seeing as you are still the user, only the HDD is new, I suspect that they should work fine.

Just to give an example: I know that trying to copy a protected savegame to an SD card doesn't work. So I figured it wouldn't copy when using the "Backup" function.

 

[FoolKiller]

Just to give an example: I know that trying to copy a protected savegame to an SD card doesn't work. So I figured it wouldn't copy when using the "Backup" function.

D-N gets that, but what he is saying is that as a backup is creating a disk image, not a separate direct copy of the file, it shouldn't have any issues. Nor should it have a problem reading it afterward as the account/system the copy-protection is tied to is still present.

That said, no one knows for sure because few have tried making copies of the game saves with the copy protection and have backed up their HDD.

So far, of all the people who have switched HDDs none have complained about this issue yet. It could be lucky coincidence on their part or it works fine.

Isn't TOCA 3 a PS2 game? As far is it is concerned it will think it is still on the same memory card as always.

Actually, I think Rock Band has a locked save file (can someone confirm please). Perhaps LaBounti can tell us if his save file for Rock Band still works.



And in other news:

Joystiq had some mock-up posters for PlayStation 3 that a guy put on his Flickr account. With the exception of Drake I think they look pretty good. I would love to see these as ads.

Hardcore:

He also has a version without Nariko.

JRPG:

PSN:

Shooters:

Needs more Warhawk.

Everybody:

Vehicles:

You can see them all here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35531251@N04/

 

[iwantdownload]

i am too tired to read through 573 pages so sorry if this has already been asked but if when i go to america i buy the ntsc stranglehold special edition (with hard boiled) will it work on my pal ps3 and will the movie work as well???

 

[Famine]

Yes to the game. Dunno to the movie.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Just to give an example: I know that trying to copy a protected savegame to an SD card doesn't work. So I figured it wouldn't copy when using the "Backup" function.

You also can't copy a game to an external drive... but it backs them up and restores them to a new HDD just fine.

 

[Sureboss]

Yes to the game. Dunno to the movie.

Depends if the TV can cope with it, doesn't it?

Research says that most modern PAL TVs can read NTSC signals. Check your TVs manual, it should say.

 

[Shadow Wulf 2k]

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Famine]

Depends if the TV can cope with it, doesn't it?

Research says that most modern PAL TVs can read NTSC signals. Check your TVs manual, it should say.

He only asked if it'd work on the PS3

 

[hamstrings]

Rock Band 1 and 2 are copy-protected, but they carry over through backups. I have a few other copy-protected saves that carried over, so I expect backup to preserve copy-protected saves fine.

I heard on another forum that system backups are linked to the console, and consequently they won't work if Sony replaces your system under warranty or repair. Is this true? The backup utility would be far less useful if that were the case.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I heard on another forum that system backups are linked to the console, and consequently they won't work if Sony replaces your system under warranty or repair. Is this true? The backup utility would be far less useful if that were the case.

Here is what the manual says regarding the use of the Backup Utility:

Some types of backed up data can be restored on another PS3 system. The types of data that can be restored on another system are as follows:

• Saved data from PLAYSTATION®3 format software *1
• Image files under (Photo)
• Music files under (Music) *2
• Video files under (Video) *2
• Bookmarks added under (Internet Browser)
• Terms that were added using (Settings) > (System Settings) > [Add/Edit Term], or predictive terms that were "learned" by the on-screen keyboard
  
  *1 Copy-protected data cannot be restored. Also, saved data that has been restored may not be usable in some games.
  
  *2 Does not include copyright-protected data.

I have never had the cause to try this, but J-pap just had his PS3 replaced by Sony... you can ask him if he did a back-up and restore... or maybe Sony did it for him, thus was able to bypass any copy-protection?

 

[Obli]

DN, those mock-up posters are great. Not sure how good they would be to potential customers as you have to own a Playstation to know what most of the characters / objects are! Still, makes me realise how quickly the no-games critisism has been remidied by Sony. Great exclusive IPs there.