Formatting External HDD for use with PS3

The first thing we are gonna wanna do is understand that your computer alone isnt gonna do the job for you. Sure you can use Windows Formatt Utility to do the job of switching your External HDD to FAT32, However, the limitation of FAT32 is that it cannot hold individual files larger then 4GB in size.Also, Windows 2000 and XP cannot create or format partitions larger than 32GB.You will need a utility like Partition Magic or some other drive/partition utility.Im gonna go ahead and highly recommend CompuApps Swissknife here for its user freindly interface and ability to partition the entire HDD to FAT32 without loosing Gigs.The Swissknife application can be downloaded at http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/SwissKnife.shtml. Follow the Download instructions and open up the app.

* If you have trouble Downloading from the link above copy and paste the link below:

http://www.compuapps.com/download/Swissknife/swissknife.htm

Key Features:

-Formats faster than the OS (click on chart for details)

-Allows change of cluster size during Full format or Quick Format

-Divides a single hard drive into one or more partitions

-Supports Hi-Speed USB, PCMCIA, SATA, SCSI, USB 1.1, and FireWire® external drives

-Supports Fixed and Removable disk formats

-Supports FAT, FAT32 & NTFS systems

-Allows creation of a single partition of up to 2048GB of FAT32 or NTFS file systems.

-Full format or Quick Format of existing partitions

-Selective partitions can be modified for optimum flexibility

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows XP (Home, MCE, Professional and Server edition, all service packs)

Windows 2000 (Professional and Server edition, all service packs)

Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Server

Windows Me

Windows 98 (First and Second Editions)

Windows 95b (OSR2 Edition)

Windows 95B/ 98/ 98SE/ 2000/ Me/ XP

When you download and extract the Swissknife file it will also contain a Manual with it to walk you through each step.Remember to have your external HDD connected to your computer and ready to go!

When your done formatting your external HDD its very important to remember to add folders for the media you will be putting on to it.You will need to do this While your HDD is still connected to your computer. Heres how:

1.) Go to "My Computer" from your programs page on your desktop.
2.) Click on the External HDD that you just formatted.
3.) Once inside your going to right click and go to the tab that says "New" and create new folder.
4.) Your going to need to create three seperate folders.
5.) Create a "VIDEO", "PHOTO" and "MUSIC" folder.
6.) Each folder name MUST be in Uppercase form!
7.) Exit out of HDD and "My Computer" and remember to click on the "Safely remove hardware" symbol on the lower right hand side of your tool bar.
8.) Unplug HDD from computer and plug into PS3!

Its that simple! Now you can begin downloading all the media your heart desires!