PS3:Recovering Data

If something happens to your PS3 that leaves you unable to access files on the system storage, you may still be able to recover important files if you have previously dumped your per-console hard-drive encryption key (eid_root_key).

Please note, these tools allow for read-only access, you cannot use this to write files to the PS3s system storage.

Dumping the eid_root_key

Rebug firmwares:

1. Open rebug toolbox under "Game" on the XMB
   • if you do not have rebug toolbox installed, the installer should already be on your console at dev_rebug/rebug/packages, where you can install it via "Package Manager > Install Package Files > PS3 System Storage".
   • if rebug toolbox is not downloaded, you can get the latest version [here] (automatic download)
2. navigate to the "Utilities" category, scroll down to and select "Dump eid root key"
3. a popup will inform you that the eid_root_key will be created in "dev_hdd0/game/RBGTLBOX2/USRDIR", select "Yes"
4. your PS3 will reboot and beep
5. navigate to the location rebug toolbox informed you with either your choice of homebrew, or FTP program, copying over the "eid_root_key" file to a flash drive or your computer

Evilnat 4.88.2:

This feature was added in evilnat 4.88.2, it will not be available in 4.88.1

1. From the top of the "Network" column on the XMB, select "Custom Firmware Tools"
2. navigate to and select the "Dump Tools" category
3. navigate to and select "Dump ERK"
4. navigate to either "dev_usb" or "dev_hdd0/tmp" and copy the eid_root_key to someplace safe such as your PC

Reading the PS3s HDD on Windows:

Whenever you plug the PS3s system drive into a PC, be careful to never format or initialise the drive, doing so will permanently erase your data.

1. plug the SATA and power cable from your PC into the PS3's HDD, ensuring your PC is turned off.
2. turn your PC on, and if prompted, select "No" to initialising or formatting the drive
3. download PS3_HDD_Reader by 3141card from here, extract the folder once complete
4. paste your eid_root_key into the "PS3_HDD_Reader_final_windows" folder
   • from here out, the readme.txt in the download will have the same or similar instructions
5. navigate to the "PS3_HDD_Reader_final_windows" folder previously extracted, and where the directory is displayed (to the right of the search bar), right click and select "Copy address as text"
6. open a command prompt window (CMD) as administrator
7. enter cd into the command prompt window, paste the copied directory and press enter, your Command prompt window should display the directory you copied. (e.g. "C:\PS3Tools\PS3_HDD_Reader_final_windows>")
   • if you copied the "PS3_HDD_Reader_final_windows" folder to a drive other than C:\, you may have to enter "[drive letter]:" and press enter. (e.g. "C:\WINDOWS\system32>D:")
8. in the command prompt window, enter ps3_hdd_reader.exe hdd. This will display all available partitions on the PS3's HDD, and will indicate that everything is working okay.
9. again in the command prompt window, you can begin copying and viewing the files you want through commands such as:
   • ps3_hdd_reader.exe hdd dev_hdd0 dir / to view the main partitions file structure
   • ps3_hdd_reader.exe hdd dev_hdd0 copy /PS3ISO to copy all files inside the "PS3ISO" directory
   • i recommend against copying large directories such as "/GAMES" due to potential storage space issues, instead copy "/GAMES/[gameName]"
10. once you have copied all your important data, turn off your PC, and unplug your hard-drive.