the woes of a dead ps3 and its hdd

Hello ps3 based gamespotters.

I have a little bit of a problem and i was wondering if any of you good people could offer some advice.

I know its a long shot but ...

I have, or should i say had, an original pal 60gig ps3. Fully back compatable and working like a doosy. I added a 400gig hdd (kept the old one just incase) and it still worked fine, since jan, this week it finally stopped working. All very sad but not totally unexpected.

The hdd removed and a replacement 60gig modal located im back on track to gaming fun tonight. But I didnt get the chance to save my saved files. Most importantly game saves.

Now I realise that the console needs you to format the hdd if you adding a new one to it. But is there any means to obtain the files from this old hdd or am i totally stuck.

Before you all ask, no i cant afford the ps + membership, so the saves are not in any clouds.

any advice welcome.

If the console asks you to format then you're out of luck. There is nothing you can do to get your save files back.

expected as much, so just had to bite the bullet. oh well. Just have to invest in a special back up portable hdd and back up once a month from now on.