I know, there is not really a forum for hardware discussions. But, this is the only remotely-game-related website I can access at work... So cut me a break.

I've got a question. I have about 2-3 years worth of game save data on my PS3 hard-drive. I am interested in both backing up the data (god forbid the HDD should fail), and clearing a little space for more game saves. When I insert a thumbdrive into a USB port on the front and try to copy data from my game saves, a message tells me that I don't have anything hooked up! What am I doing wrong? Has this happened to anybody else? I have noticed that there is a "Data Backup" selection under the "System" tab on the XMB. I've never tried messing with it though for fear it might wipe my hard drive clean. Any help out there?? Thanks.

You should definitely go ahead and use the "Data Backup" option on your PS3. It works like a dream and is a '1 button' solution. Ensure that you have an external USB hard drive large enough for the backup, and do this periodically. I've done many backups (as well as restores, to larger hard drives, or even different systems). It is flawless (especially when you consider the type of pain "backup" solutions on Windows are usually like).

Now, regarding your thumbdrive ...is it formatted in FAT32? If not, if it's formatted NTFS, you're going to be SOL. The PS3 can only 'instantly recognize' certain types of data. So, when you get to the USB Drive icon on the XMB, click triangle, then "information" (I think). That should give you the 'folder browser' to allow you to see other 'non-standard' content. But, I've never seen your message. So either your USB port on the PS3 is hosed (unlikely), or your thumbdrive is not formatted right (likely).