(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); OK, on my new PS3 I already have some purchased games/save data/patches that I really cannot be asked to re-download and install, so before I downgrade it, I want to back it all up.

Anyway I have a Ext. HDD with 32gb free space FAT32 (I partitioned the HDD, normally I run movies off it via the PS3 so I know it works). The PS3 says that I have 1202mb of space left and that it needs another 25gb of space to backup?
I checked on my laptop and there is NOTHING on the PS3 partition (32gb or free space) but the PS3 says that there's only 1202mb left?

Any Ideas?

Erase the whole thing then just to backup utility on ps3

Have you partitioned your HDD? And how did you make your 32GB hdd fat32? Tell me the tool you used. If you just partitioned it with no tool, then windows will not make hard drives 4GB+ to fat32.

Verify and report back to me.

I just partitioned it like you would with the internal HDD of the PC and then formatted to FAT32 via the command line (If forgot the exact command)...

Just to be sure: THE FAT32 PARTITION IS EMPTY!

Try using "Easus Partition Master" I used that program to allow my 60GB internal HDD to be FAT32 which i now use as an external HDD.

But why does my ps3 say I've only got 1202mb left? I have 32gb free space!

That i am unsure of, Could possibly be not a full or correct formatting of the HDD

This has happened to me once before, I fixed the issue actually
by reinstalling the firmware. You could give that a try ( don't worry reinstalling the firmware wont erase your data ). Also just a few questions.

Is it a slim:
Firmware Version:

If its a slim I heard downgrading WILL erase your data, but if its a PHAT downgrading WONT erase the data, BUT IM NOT 100% SURE SO DONT TAKE MY WORD ON IT! And one last thing if your PS3 is on 3.41 and your wanting to downgrade lower be sure to back up your
/dev_flash3/ so you can continue watching blu-ray movies!

It is a PS3 Slim (That's why I'm trying to back it up)
Firmware Version: 3.50 (Im downgrading to 3.41)

Like I said in previous post, you need a tool to make hard drive space 4GB+ into FAT32. I've tried to do the cmd thing before, but give this a try.

Here is a simple tool with a pretty nice gui:
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Hope I helped and hope your PS3 reads correctly!