Does anyone else find it amusing that this thread goes from Fat Princess right straight to FAT32?

So what you're saying is that princess is actually a file allocation table?

Mind, meet blown. It's going to be Serial Experiments Lain with cake!

If I understand correctly, your assumption from the FAQ is that you have to name a folder on your USB drive before you connect it. I just want to point out that that is not the case. You should be able to attach the USB drive without any modification, and the PS3 will create the appropriate folders.

To see if your drive is FAT32, connect it to your computer, right-click on the drive icon in My Computer and then select properties. It should say under File System if the drive is a FAT-formatted drive or an NTFS-formatted drive. My guess is that since NTFS is specific to advanced Windows OS (Server, XP, Vista) and is not able to be used on Macs or other OSes, that if the drive is NTFS it cannot be used with the PS3. If that's the case, and your drive is NTFS, then you'll need to get a new flash drive that is not NTFS formatted.

This also may be a longshot, but did you try any of the other USB ports on your PS3? It may be an issue with the first port you tried.

Apparently, today there will be a Home theme to be downloaded on the PSN update. PS3Fanboy is reporting that if you download the theme, you automatically submit an application to be considered for getting the Home beta. Acceptance into the beta program will be based on user-activity on the PSN.

You should just be able to reformat the NTFS drive to FAT32. You'll want to backup the files to the PC before you do that, though.

I agree that it's most likely a filesystem issue on the USB drive.

That seems counter productive. Wouldn't they want to give it to the folks that aren't really active to entice them into the Home/online community?

Double-edged sword... if they try to get those with limited activity they may end up with many beta users that aren't actually testing it out. At least they are guaranteed activity to truly judge the experience if they pick users that actually do something with the service as it exists now.

Yep, the Home theme is up and it is called the Home Beat Application - has a graphic on the lower right saying "Now Expanding Beta Community".

Also if you read the summary of the PlayStation Home E3 Trailer - it says:

It's sad that almost a year after Home was supposed to be released we're still here waiting and hoping to get into the Beta. Hurry the fuck up Sony! Then they announce Playstation Life(less) before they even get Home onto our consoles and it too has been delayed.

On playstation blog, it was said that it would IN PART be based on PSN activity. The blog did not mention other variables they'll be looking at.

Downloaded the trailer... let's just say it doesn't do Home any favors.

Still, the PS3 has been evolving since launch so I definitely look forward to seeing where Sony takes the PS3 over the next 3-4 years. Maybe Home won't work out though?

Are there any screen savers available for the PS3?

A couple of the downloads for the Eye are basically screen savers.. but specifically.. I don't think so.

Well, my BR drive just crapped out after only 5 months. Now I get to wait a month to get a refurbed unit back from Sony.

Well, yes a few of the eyetoy "games" like the Aquatopia are actually interactive screen savers. A few of the games, like Loco Roco, flOw, or even the new PixlJunk Eden can function as screen saves as well

Wait, is there a way to get Aquatopia to load when the system is idle?

No, the system is on. It just works as a screen saver, preventing burn in. Sometimes I have it on when guests come over just so something's on the plasma in the background.

Sorry, should have clarified, I meant when the system is on but you haven't touched the controller for a while. By default, I think the PS3 just kinda darkens the screen to prevent burn-in, I'm wondering if there's a way to set it up so that Aquatopia loads instead.

I reformatted the drive several times into both FAT32 and FAT formats and to no avail. What should I do? Should I try another cheap drive? Is there any other way to back up save files from the PS3? I've got an SD card and a Memory Stick handy but I don't know if the PS3 accepts either one. I really want to find a solution so I can send out my hardware as I don't want to lose some of my saves.

If you have a 60GB or 80GB then yes you can use an SD card or Memory stick. To the left of the blu-ray drive you can lift up the media card cover and find the appropriate drive.

And just to ask again, (it sounds like the drive works on your computer, but) have you tried the flash drive in all the usb slots?

Yea, I've tried both USB slots and neither work on my 40GB model.

I guess you're gonna have to try a new usb drive as the 40gb model doesn't support the other type of media.

A card reader, plugged into one of the PS3's USB ports, should work.