Replaced HD on JB PS3 but copied saves won't work anymore

[ddawh]

Hi, I just recently installed a new Hd for my ps3 (3.55 cfw - kmeaw). I backed up the data and restored on my new HD but my saves won't work anymore obviously. Sorry if this has been posted many times but how do I go about getting my saves to work? I heard there was some save unlocking application or I have to ftp into the ps3 and edit my files. All I want is to get my saves from my old HD working. I don't care about the trophies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and apologize if this was asked before or if this is not in the proper section. Thanks.

[thewhitetyger]

The way I restored my saves when doing the same thing was to copy the /dev_hdd0/home/user000000? (replace "?" with the number that is for your user directory) with either an FTP program or use multiMAN and copy the whole directory, then copy same directory to your PS3's new HDD to the same place. (Seems like you did already.)

The next thing that is key in making the saves to show up is to start the PS3 in safe mode by starting with the PS3 off, push and hold down the power on/off switch until it starts up and then turns off. Let go, and then repeat, this time around when you hear two beeps one right after another, let go quickly and a new menu will show up. There is an option to "Rebuild Database", select it and it will ask if its ok, say yes or whatever and wait for it. This claims to take hours, but from my experience it only goes no more than 20 mins or so. Just let it do what it needs to, make sure you don't lose power, and voila! All your saves and all trophys and everything else you had saved will show up again magically.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[ddawh]

Thanks for taking your time to write that down. I will try that solution tonight after I get off work. I'll update this post if I was successful or not for any of those interested.

Update:

Ok I was unsuccessful in doing this. I plugged in my old HD to copy the /dev_hdd0/home/user0000001 folder to my usb drive via Multiman. Then I plugged in my new HD and copied the backup folder over the folder I had in the new drive. Then I rebooted in recovery mode and chose "Rebuild Database. It took only a couple of minutes. I did see all my trophies and saves listed. However, I tried loading a couple of games and I got setting up trophy failure. I decided to delete my trophy folder and the games loaded up fine but I still cannot load my save files. I still get "belong to another user error".

Any other advice? Thanks.

[thewhitetyger]

hmmm... Did you name the user account the same as before? Stupid theory, but the PS3 is finicky about that crap. Odd, try the other option on that same menu labeled, "Restore file system structure." That may not work, and be sure that that user00000001 is under "home" and they both have to be lowercase. If no luck, let me know and I'll see what else I can help research for ya. It sucks having saves that you spent so much time and effort in, only to have it denied to you when you rightfully own them. I know that problem, that's why I'm inclined to help as much as I can.

Good luck and let us know, I will do what I can.

[ddawh]

I did try to name the profile as the same as before. I noticed I got a new profile with an *(Profile name) in front of the name. Also when I first did a restore, I had a new profile called *User and that it was unregistered. None of the profiles can load my save games. Even my old HD cannot load my saved games anymore when I plugged it back in. I tried recopying the user00000001 folder but I somehow corrupted my new HD so I have to reformat it. So right now I am restoring it again and going to recopy the user folder again. I will try "Rebuild database" and "Restore file system structure". Hopefully this will work. I appreciate your help and taking time to look into this. Restoring will take awhile so I will probably have to finish up for the next day. I will update this post to let you all know if I was successful or not. Thanks.

Update (Very Good):

Well after the restore, I didn't have any weird profile with * in front. I decided to copy the savedata and trophy subfolder over instead of the entire user00000001 folder. After I did the "rebuild the database" feature from recovery mode, I tested out a couple of games and didn't get any trophy error and loaded the saves fine. So far, very good. I think this did the trick. Thanks so much for your help. I hope this also helps anyone else who was on the same boat as me.

[thewhitetyger]

the last thing i would try, but is a pain in the ass is to use the ps3 save unlocker either that or use rebug and use the fake owner, then at least you will have your saves working again. Sorry for no luck. the rebuild database worked for me when i had the same problem replacing my HDD.

good luck!

[Grasshopper]

This is why you have to hate modern gaming.

Buying a memory card for a dreamcast may have been a bitch, but at least didn't have to go through sh*t like this..

[bbdevil]

Hi

I wanted to PM to both ddawh and thewhitetyger to prevent from bumping an year old thread but, i cant seem to find the PM function.

I had very similiar problems as ddawh.

It all started with the video output, i was testing the HDMI output on my new TV. I then switch back to my old TV that does not uses HDMI. I then realize the ps3 is not able to start up. After number of tries, i decided to go in to safe mode and select restore default settings. Everything when back to normal but theres an asterisk in front of my user.
Looks like this

*User 1
*User 2

User 1 appears to be working fine but User 2 is not able read my save data and trophies. It automatically quits the game after scanning for the trophies. I tried most games and it didnt work.

I did a backup 00000001 and 00000002 by using ftp using multiman into my external hdd and tried to follow the instructions given in this thread. I have tried a number of times and to no success i decided that deleting the User 2 account by might help solve the problem as long as i have a 00000002 backup in my external hdd (forgive me for my stupidity).

I would appreciate anyone with solution or possible solutions. anything. I just want my save data to be usable again instead it being disabled.

EDIT: i have fixed the problem. damn, took me 2-3 days to study and fix it. I manage to get back my savedata, my trophies, almost everything.

For those who are experiencing such problem, google up xregistry.