Hard Disk Error - Any Resolution?

We just bought a new PS3 this morning at Target, but it is apparently defective. When it first starts up, we get the error "Cannot start. The correct hard drive was not found". After getting this error initially, after a few minutes it did actually boot up and my son was able to play it for about 2 hours.

But then it hung when trying to install a demo he downloaded off the Sony Store (online). After a reboot, we are only getting the above error.

We have talked to Sony, who had us remove and put back the hard drive, but no change in behavior.

Of course my son is devastated, he has been wanting a PS3 for a year, and we have been doing daily checks of stores since launch. We bought the system at Target, and they are unable to hold another one for us in the future, we can only return it for a refund. Sony will send us a new one, but it takes 7-10 business days after receipt.

Anyway, it seems like all we have is a faulty hard drive, but wondered if anyone had an idea on how to verify that. I suppose it could be something faulty with the machine itself.

Anyway, this is super frustrating. Just wondering if anyone else had been through this or if there was anything else we could do. We are faced with trying to find another PS3 somewhere, or waiting for sure 2-3 weeks (calendar time) for a new PS3.

-Howard

Tri to deplug it then plug it back in

Hi..I have had my 20G unit for a couple of weeks. I received the error message for the first time last night. I read the above post and tried to plug and unplug unit in the "on" position. This did work. Everything seems fine now. I do not see any other people with same issue. One solution is to keep unit always on. I do not know if there is a problem with this. I will not touch the harddrive but will make sure I register unit with Sony. John M.

hey i bought a ps3 in england on day of release, got home, set it all up turned it on to see the error message, i tried again and got the same. i persisted for about 10 mins and eventually it played. everytime i come to start up the console i get the same error. i did find unplugging it helped but why should i have to suffer with this inconvenience after paying £525 for it. i think im going to go back to the shop and get a new one...... unless anyone know how to fix it?

Pete

Go back and exchange it, I'm sure they'll have plenty of PS3s in stock to switch.

I have had this issue only a few times. I have found that if I unplug the system and plug back in, the issue is resolved. The other option would be to keep the unit always on. As I understand, this does not harm the system and uses very little electricity. John M.

mines on 24/7 from the frist day and no troubles yet

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Welcome to my nightmare, I think you're going to like it.

I turned on my PS3 and the "hard disk drive files are corrupted please restore" message came up. i click restore and guess what...you guessed it, nothing happens, the ps3 restarts everytime it reaches 100% but the message keeps popping up. i try to unplug my system like some people say, it worked for them... but nothing happens for me, am i unplugging it the wrong way? Please write the steps to unplugging. any other types of help? $500 down the drain? i hope not, any help would be very very appreciated.

Yeah, sorry..... I had that problem, and, return it.... And get another, because whn that shows up, its broken, so return it as fast as possoble.......................................... ..................:incazz ato:

the same problem happened to me i was playing my awesome PS3 when i turned off the tv and not the PS3 a week later my brother played on it and shut it off 3 hours later i tried to play it but i got the unreadable disk can not start

also if my PS3 broke how much would it cost to get a new one, or would it be free

so if i do trade in my PS3 HOW MUCH WOULD THAT COST

hey guys i need help i was playin my awesome ps3 (well, my brother's ps3), but then i turn it off . The next day i tried to play but then this "hard disk is corrupted" message appeared and if my bro knows bout it he's gonna kill me. what can i do ? i got 1 day to fix it