Instructions to Wipe Game Consoles

If you added personal information on the Playstation 3, Xbox, or Wii, you can follow these instructions to wipe the drive before returning it.

Playstation 3

1. Plug the PS3 via its power cable into an appropriate power outlet.
2. Plug the PS3’s HDMI cable into the PS3 and appropriate video display source.
3. Turn on the PS3 and the video display source it is plugged in to.
4. Plug in or turn on a PS3 controller to allow usage of the PS3 menu and features.
   • If the controller does not function as expected with the PS3 try pressing the center Playstation icon button in the middle of the controller to assign that controller a user input value for the Playstation, in order to proceed.
5. Navigate the PS3 using the attached controller to the settings panel.
6. Once in the settings panel, navigate to the System settings option.
7. Once in the system settings panel, scroll up or down the menu until you reach the option to ‘Restore PS3 System’ and choose this option with the X button on the controller. When asked if you are sure, select “Yes.” On the following prompt select “Quick Format.”
8. Another prompt will ask you if you are sure. Select “Yes.” This will successfully restore the PS3 back to its default settings.
9. Once all of the previous steps have been completed successfully, the PS3 console is reset to factory default settings and will ask to restart. Press the X button to restart.
10. The PS3 will begin initial setup. Do not follow the prompts. Just shut down the PS3 and it is ready.

Xbox 360

1. Plug the Xbox 360 via its power cable into a power outlet.
2. Plug the Xbox 360’s HDMI cable into the Xbox 360 and appropriate video display source.
3. Turn on the Xbox 360 and the video display source it is plugged in to.
4. Using a wireless Xbox 360 controller that has been turned on and synced to the Xbox 360, navigate to the console’s home screen (this should be the default displayed screen upon turning on the Xbox 360).
5. While on the home screen, press the Xbox Guide Button (Central Silver button with an X on it).
6. Navigate to settings via the displayed window by moving left or right through the Xbox Guide panels.
7. Once in the settings panel, select “System Settings,” then select “Storage.”
8. Once “Storage” has been selected, a new menu will display that contains storage devices/options for saving data on the console. From this menu, select the storage device that you want to reset and press “Y” on the Xbox 360 controller.
9. A new menu called Device Options will open. Select “Format.” When prompted, select “Yes” to erase all content. If you are asked to enter your Xbox 360 serial number, do so, and then select “Done.”
10. A dialogue box will appear saying the system will need to be restarted. Press the “Y” button to do so.
11. Once restarted, follow steps 5 and 6 to return to the System Settings menu. Select Initial Setup and when prompted, select “Yes”. Do not follow the screen prompts when the green controller appears on the screen. Just press the power button to turn off the Xbox 360.

Nintendo Wii

1. Turn on Wii console. Sync wii remote if no wii remotes are currently synced to the Nintendo Wii.
2. Access system settings by selecting the Wii circular button in the right hand corner of the main Wii console start menu, after the Wii console is turned on, with the Wii remote.
3. Click on the blue arrow to the right twice to proceed to Wii System Settings 3.
4. From this menu, select “Format Wii System Memory.”
5. If Parental Controls are set, enter the PIN.
6. Select “Format.”