If you have already contacted Consumer Services for service instructions, we highly recommend performing the following steps prior to sending the system in for service. This will ensure you delete any personal information from the PlayStation®3, including any PlayStation®Network account details. If you are unable to access the XMB™ for any reason, you may skip these steps.

 

l          Back up any essential data you wish to keep (i.e., music, photos, videos, game saves, etc.)

 

l          Remove your PlayStation®Network account information from the PlayStation®3. To remove your PlayStation®Network account information, you can do one of the following:

n          Delete each local user on the PlayStation®3.

1.                 On the XMB™, go to  (Users) and sign in to each user account. 

2.                 With the user name highlighted, press the  button.

3.                 Select "Delete" and press the  button.

4.                 The message "If you delete the user, saved data for the PlayStation®3 format software, messages, and bookmarks will also be deleted. Do you want to continue?" will appear. Highlight "Yes" and press the  button.

5.                 You will receive a confirmation message "Are you sure you want to delete the user?" Highlight "Yes" and press the  button.

6.                 The user will now be deleted. Repeat for all users.

 

n          Format the PlayStation®3 hard disk drive.

By formatting the PlayStation®3 hard disk drive, all data on the hard disk drive will be erased. If you wish to save your data, make sure to copy it to an external storage device, like a USB flash drive.

To format the hard disk drive:

1.      Go to  (Settings) >  (System Settings) and press the  button.

2.      Highlight [Restore PS3™ System] and press the  button. 

3.      The message "Are you sure you want to restore the PS3™ system?" will appear. Highlight "Yes" and press the  button. The hard drive will then be formatted.

 

n          Delete billing (credit card) information from your PlayStation®Network account.

If you wish to take extra precaution or are unable to access the XMB™ of your PlayStation®3, you may delete the credit card information from your PlayStation®Network account(s) by using the PlayStation®Store for the PC website (PC Store).

 

Be sure to follow all of the instructions that were given to you by SCEH／SCET when sending your system in.