How to View Your PS3 Console ID: A Step-by-Step Guide

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If you're looking to access your Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) console's unique identifier, also known as the Console ID or Serial Number, this article will walk you through a simple process. Knowing how to view and possibly change these IDs can be useful in various situations, ranging from troubleshooting issues with online play to modifying certain aspects of your gaming experience.

Why Would You Want To View Your PS3 Console ID?

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Before diving into the steps themselves, it's worth understanding why someone might want or need to access their console's unique identifier. Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Troubleshooting Online Issues: Sometimes, issues with online play may require you to provide your console's serial number or PSN ID to Sony support staff for further investigation and resolution.

2. Modifying Console Settings: Depending on the modifications you're looking to make to your PS3 experience (e.g., jailbreaking), knowing your console's unique identifier can be a necessary step in the process.

Where To Find The Console ID

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The location of the Console ID, also known as the Serial Number or Serial Code, varies depending on whether you have an original PlayStation 3 model or one of its later variants. Here are general instructions for finding it:

### Original PS3 Models (PS3-1XXA/2)

For these older models, follow these steps to locate your console's unique identifier.

1. Turn off your PS3 completely.

2. Press and hold the following buttons simultaneously:

- The power button

- The eject or disc tray release button

While holding down both of these buttons, plug in a USB memory stick (such as a flash drive) into one of your console's available USB ports.

3. Release all the keys once you see an image on screen indicating that the PS3 has booted from the USB device.

4. Open 'PS3 Update' from the XMB menu and select 'Update via Internet'.

5. Wait for any updates to download and install; this process should only take a few minutes.

6. Once the update is complete, power off your console again by pressing and holding both of those same buttons at once.

7. With the PS3 still turned off, unplug the USB stick from its port.

8. Turn on your PS3 as you normally would; it will now boot into Safe Mode without needing to press any further keys or hold down any button combinations.

9. From here, navigate through various options using the directional pad (dpad) until you reach 'System Information'.

10 In this menu, select 'Console Information' from the left-hand list of available options.

11 Your console's Serial Number/Serial Code will be displayed at the top-right corner of the next screen that appears.

### Slim PS3 Models and Later

For newer models (PS3-4XXA/B/C), finding your Console ID is slightly different due to changes in Sony's hardware design. Here are the steps:

1. Turn off your PS3 completely.

2. Press and hold down both of these buttons at once:

- The power button

- The eject or disc tray release button

While still holding down these two buttons, press and hold the 'PS' key on your controller.

3. Keep all three keys pressed until you see an image appear on screen indicating that the PS3 has entered Safe Mode.

4. Release both of those held-down buttons (the power and eject), but continue to keep the PS button pressed down with one thumb while using another hand to locate a small hole near where your HDMI cable would normally connect.

5. Using a paperclip or similar thin, pointed object like an opened-up pinhead screwdriver carefully press in this tiny depression until it clicks.

6. With the console still turned off and your finger still pressed against the PS button on your controller (don't let go!), plug-in any USB storage device such as flash drive into one of its available ports.

7. Release all buttons/keys now that you see an image appear on screen indicating booting from a USB stick or external harddrive has been successful.

8. Navigate through options until reaching 'System Information' then select 'Console Information'.

9 Finally, your console's Serial Number will be displayed at the top-right corner of this last menu.

How to Change Your PS3 Console ID

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1. Follow steps 1-7 above up until you reach Safe Mode.

2. From here, instead of selecting 'System Information', choose the last option in this menu labeled as 'Reset Settings'.

3. Confirm that you wish to proceed by pressing X on your controller twice and then select 'Yes' once more when prompted again.

4 After a short delay during which time your PS3 will reset itself back to its factory settings, power it down completely.

5 Press the following buttons at once while turning it back on:

- The power button

- The eject or disc tray release button

6 Keep holding these two keys until you see an image appear indicating that your console has booted from a USB device again.

7 Insert your previously formatted memory stick (or hard drive) into one of the PS3's available slots.

8 Press X on your controller to begin the process of reactivating your PlayStation Network account using this new serial number.

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In conclusion, knowing how to view and possibly change your PS3 Console ID can be a useful skill in various situations. Whether you're troubleshooting online issues or simply looking to modify certain aspects of your gaming experience, having access to these unique identifiers can make all the difference. Remember that changing your console's serial number voids any warranty and may render certain features or games incompatible; proceed with caution!

View ps3 console id