If you run games from a folder, those can be backed up as well as roms, ps1/ps2 games. Pkg files will need to be reinstalled. Save games may work from an ftp backup but I personally have not had any luck with it but you may have to resign them. You'd be better off backing these up with the XMB since it normally won't take too long, you may be able to do game data with this as well. It will take a couple of hours if you have a lot. If your replacing the hdd depending on if you have a nand or nor ps3 will dictate if you need to reinstall the firmware. The nor models require firmware re-installation since part of the firmware is stored on the hdd. Nand consoles it's all stored on the nand so usually not required.I've done a bit of research, and apparently I can back up my stuff off the PS3 via FTP and then send it back to the console somehow? Not entirely sure how that works but I'm willing to do that instead, I just don't know if I'll have to re-install CFW onto the new hard drive.
If you're not sure of which you have you can check via this site:
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models
Last edited by fringle,