PS3 external HD won't work

I ahve an external USB drive that my ps3 isn't seeing. I formated it in FAT32 and put the VIDEO, MUSIC, and PICTURE folders on it but the PS3 doesn't seem to pull it up. This is my second ps3 as I traded my first and and the first one saw the drive fine. Anythink I am doing wrong while reformatting this drive?swatpup102

did you hit triangle and hit display all? 

The PS3 won't read drives that have been partitioned. So if your external HDD is partitioned that would be the issue.doolies

my ps3 reads my fat32 partition fine, no problems at all, so it's the problems probably something else

Hmm... I just tested this out, and it's not recognizing mine either. It recognizes my flash drive, and if its mp4, in a "VIDEO" or "MUSIC" folder, it will play it, but it won't recognize my 400 GB external Seagate NTFS right now under the same circumstances. Needlessly complicated. I really hope they make some significant changes to the XMB's functionality soon. I like the layout, I liked it more on PSP, but it's really not the most user friendly interface you could ask for. In this day and age, everything should be plug and play. Gonna test it on a 250 GB Maxtor FAT32 and see if there's any difference. XL83

 When you are testing it, see if you can power on the drive first. If it has an external power supply turn on the drive first before you plug in usb, if you have an all usb drive, see if it has an extra cable to power up before the data becomes live. this is the only way my PS3 can see my drive. Makes sense, but seems like if a computer can do it without the drive being powered up frist why can't the ps3??

[QUOTE="XL83"]Hmm... I just tested this out, and it's not recognizing mine either. It recognizes my flash drive, and if its mp4, in a "VIDEO" or "MUSIC" folder, it will play it, but it won't recognize my 400 GB external Seagate NTFS right now under the same circumstances. Needlessly complicated. I really hope they make some significant changes to the XMB's functionality soon. I like the layout, I liked it more on PSP, but it's really not the most user friendly interface you could ask for. In this day and age, everything should be plug and play. Gonna test it on a 250 GB Maxtor FAT32 and see if there's any difference. swatpup102

When you are testing it, see if you can power on the drive first. If it has an external power supply turn on the drive first before you plug in usb, if you have an all usb drive, see if it has an extra cable to power up before the data becomes live. this is the only way my PS3 can see my drive. Makes sense, but seems like if a computer can do it without the drive being powered up frist why can't the ps3??

All three of mine are in cases that need an external power supply. I have an 80 GB Seagate, a 250 GB Maxtor and a 400 GB Seagate. My PS3 is literally 6 inches away from my PC tower, I'm just switching the USB cords back and forth, and what works on my PC isn't necessarily what works on my PS3. Only the FAT32 drive has worked so far. Oh, the flash drive is working fine too. Off topic, but it's one of those awesome Kingston DT Mini Fun ones that fit together like Lego. Great for not losing the cap, and they're so cheap now.

I use to be able to play movies off my portable hard drive all the time but now it wont show up at all in the menu. a normal flash drive will though.

I think a recent update must have screwed it up.

250 GB Maxtor FAT32 is a go. I would say its NTFS' fault, but you are using FAT32, so I have no idea. Why doesn't the XMB recognize mp3s, avis, mpgs, why does it need to be in a folder called VIDEO? It has 4 different card readers but can't figure out when a USB drive is plugged in? Meh. They need a better OS, or they need to ramp this one up a fair bit. XL83

I don't think that's a fair comment. That directory structure was created to make it easy for it to find files (find, index, generate thumbnails,etc.) It's Sony's way of allowing the PS3 to find data on a camera, etc. easier. If a 250 GB hard disk is plugged in and the PS3 is suppose to support any directory structure, then imagine how long it would take to search it all. Think of how long it takes to use the file search feature in Windows XP/Vista.

So yes, they could do that...but there is a cost(search time) which you seem to be forgetting.

What I would like to see is for them to create a utility that makes creating such a directory structure [on, say, a Windows machine] easier for novices.

im done with sony's bullsh*t. they'll eventually phase out all usb devices when the war between them and jailbreaking devices rages on and im done with the false promises, removal of essential features later down the road and having to jump through hoops because my usb thumb drive needs to be altered to backup saves that a few months later could be for nothing. i'd hate to do this but im now looking into a 360... sure i'll have to deal with failiure rates and 60 a yearsubs but at least microsoft looks like thay dont take features away and openly support usb devices. i'll still buy uncharted 2 goty and the rdr undead nightmare dlc "already got red dead on ps3" but this will be my last buisness with sony.