It used to be that the only way to create space for your filled-up Playstation and Playstation 2 memory cards is to either delete older saves or buy new cards. With the launch of the Memory Card Adaptor for the Playstation 3, players now have an official way to back up their saves from Playstation and Playstation 2 games. Here is a guide to transferring old game saves from the memory cards to hard drive of the Playstation 3.
Requirements
Memory Card Adaptor
You will need to buy the Memory Card Adaptor accessory for the Playstation 3 separately. This device will allow you to connect your Playstation and Playstation 2 memory cards directly to the Playstation 3.
USB Cable with Mini-B Connector
Although the Memory Card Adaptor does not come with a USB Cable with Mini-B Connector, it does come with the Playstation 3. It is the same cable used to recharge the Sixaxis and Dual Shock 3 controllers. Instead of connecting the controllers, use the cable to connect the Memory Card Adaptor.
Step One: Finding the Memory Card
With the Playstation or Playstation 2 memory card slotted correctly inside the Memory Card Adaptor and the USB cable connecting the accessory to the Playstation 3, power on the Playstation 3. If the system did not go directly onto the XMB, press the PS button to exit the game or movie in order to bring it up.
On the Game section of the XMB, scroll up until you see “Memory Card Utility (PS/PS2).” Press the X button to enter. You will then see a list of memory cards on the Playstation 3. The card inside the Memory Card Adaptor is at the top; so scroll there.
Step Two: Copying the Memory Card
With the memory card highlighted, you can choose to either copy a single save file inside the memory card to a virtual card stored on the Playstation 3 hardware or simply copy the entire memory card. Since the standard Playstation and Playstation 2 memory cards take up only 120 KB and 7998 KB each (which is virtually nothing on the Playstation 3 hard drive), it is recommended that you copy the entire memory card.
To do so, press the triangle button with the memory card inside the Memory Card Adaptor highlighted. Choose the copy option and press the X button. Use the button again to pick yes to confirm your choice.
The Playstation 3 will then ask you to name the yet-to-be-made virtual memory card on the Playstation 3 hard drive. You can either edit it or leave it to the default “Internal Memory Card.” Once you are done, choose the OK option to begin the copying process.
Depending on the size of the memory card, it may take a couple of minutes. Also keep in mind that certain save files may be protected from being copied for one reason or another. Afterwards, press the O button twice to finish the process and return to the Memory Card Utility (PS/PS2) menu.
Congratulations on copying your Playstation and/or Playstation 2 memory card unto the Playstation 3 hard drive!
