Turn on my ps3 and screen says to connect controller using a usb cable and then press the ps button. did this and waited 30 minutes but nothing happened so i held down power button until it powered off then hel down power button until i heard 2 quick beeps so i could get it to load safe mode options but i get the same screen. can you help?

This screen is the reset/recovery screen, you can make this occur manually, with the system in standby hold down the power button until you hear 2 beeps.

If you connect a controller using the USB cable can you continue? when you connect a controller and press the PS button it should take you to this screen?

u need a sony ps3 controller

Be sure that your controller is in working condition and the USB cable. There is a little pin size hole on the back of the controller. Use a safety pin to press the button to reset the controller. Your system could be frozen as well. Obviously you are trying to access the recovery menu. Why?

Your video settings may be scrambled. Have you recently tried using different cables?

Press and hold the power button until the systems shuts off. (wait 2 seconds) Press and hold the power button again until you here 3 beeps. Let go. It should ask you to connect your controller via usb and press the PS button in the middle of your controller. There will be a menu with 6 options. Try 1-5. If you do not see this menu, chances are, your motherboard has gone bad and will need to be sent in for service.

Be sure to try using HDMI cables and AV (component) cables.

Put your PS3 in Standby Mode.
The first thing your going to want to know is your model number. It can be found on the back panel of the PS3 on the serial number label, and it will begin with CECH. Example - Serial: XXXXXXXXXXXX-CECHXXX -
For models: CECHA01, BO1, E01, E01MG, G01, H01, H01MG, K01, LO1, AND P01, it will have a power switch on the back. Flip it off then back on and you will have a solid red indicator light on the front.
For models: CECH-2001A and 2001B, press the power button on the front until the indicator light turns red. If all else fails unplug the power cord and plug it back in.
Time to enter Safe Mode.
Press and hold your finger over the power button on the front until you hear three beeps and the indicator light goes back to red. Then release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds the third and final beep will sound then the indicator light will return to red.)
Press and hold your finger over the power button again until you hear a quick double beep. The release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds you will hear the double beep.)

Connect controller to PS3 screen.You will then see a screen. "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button".
Connect the USB cable to the USB port on the front of your PS3 and the top of your game controller, (between the left and right bumpers). Then Press the PS button in the center of the controller.

Safe Mode options screen. Connect controller to PS3 screen.You will then see this screen. Safe Mode options screen
-REMINDER: -BY DOING THE FOLLOWING ALL OF YOUR DATA ON YOUR PS3 WILL BE LOST, YOUR ONLINE STATS ARE ON THE NETWORK SO YOU WILL GET THAT STUFF BACK, INCLUDING GAMES AND ADDONS YOU BOUGHT FROM THE PSN.-
Select option number 5. (Restore PS3 System). Then select yes to perform step.

You will then see this screen. "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored."
The PS3 will then restart. You will see many different languages, all that is is saying is, "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button". Press the PS button and set your settings when it finishes it will start up and its fixed!

Put your PS3 in Standby Mode.
The first thing your going to want to know is your model number. It can be found on the back panel of the PS3 on the serial number label, and it will begin with CECH. Example - Serial: XXXXXXXXXXXX-CECHXXX -
For models: CECHA01, BO1, E01, E01MG, G01, H01, H01MG, K01, LO1, AND P01, it will have a power switch on the back. Flip it off then back on and you will have a solid red indicator light on the front.
For models: CECH-2001A and 2001B, press the power button on the front until the indicator light turns red. If all else fails unplug the power cord and plug it back in.
Time to enter Safe Mode.
Press and hold your finger over the power button on the front until you hear three beeps and the indicator light goes back to red. Then release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds the third and final beep will sound then the indicator light will return to red.)
Press and hold your finger over the power button again until you hear a quick double beep. The release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds you will hear the double beep.)

Connect controller to PS3 screen. You will then see a screen. "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button".
Connect the USB cable to the USB port on the front of your PS3 and the top of your game controller, (between the left and right bumpers). Then Press the PS button in the center of the controller.

Safe Mode options screen. Connect controller to PS3 screen. You will then see this screen. Safe Mode options screen
-REMINDER: -BY DOING THE FOLLOWING ALL OF YOUR DATA ON YOUR PS3 WILL BE LOST, YOUR ONLINE STATS ARE ON THE NETWORK SO YOU WILL GET THAT STUFF BACK, INCLUDING GAMES AND ADDONS YOU BOUGHT FROM THE PSN.-
Select option number 5. (Restore PS3 System). Then select yes to perform step.

You will then see this screen. "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored."
The PS3 will then restart. You will see many different languages, all that is is saying is, "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button". Press the PS button and set your settings when it finishes it will start up and its fixed!

Put your PS3 in Standby Mode.
The first thing your going to want to know is your model number. It can be found on the back panel of the PS3 on the serial number label, and it will begin with CECH. Example - Serial: XXXXXXXXXXXX-CECHXXX -
For models: CECHA01, BO1, E01, E01MG, G01, H01, H01MG, K01, LO1, AND P01, it will have a power switch on the back. Flip it off then back on and you will have a solid red indicator light on the front.
For models: CECH-2001A and 2001B, press the power button on the front until the indicator light turns red. If all else fails unplug the power cord and plug it back in.
Time to enter Safe Mode.
Press and hold your finger over the power button on the front until you hear three beeps and the indicator light goes back to red. Then release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds the third and final beep will sound then the indicator light will return to red.)
Press and hold your finger over the power button again until you hear a quick double beep. The release the button. (The second you touch it you will hear a beep, that's the first beep. Five seconds later a second beep, another five seconds you will hear the double beep.)
Connect controller to PS3 screen. You will then see this screen. "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button".
Connect the USB cable to the USB port on the front of your PS3 and the top of your game controller, (between the left and right bumpers). Then Press the PS button in the center of the controller.
Safe Mode options screen. You will then see this screen.
-REMINDER: -BY DOING THE FOLLOWING ALL OF YOUR DATA ON YOUR PS3 WILL BE LOST, YOUR ONLINE STATS ARE ON THE NETWORK SO YOU WILL GET THAT STUFF BACK, INCLUDING GAMES AND ADDONS YOU BOUGHT FROM THE PSN.-
Select option number 5. (Restore PS3 System). Then select yes to perform step.
You will then see a screen. "The hard disk's file system is corrupt and will be restored."
The PS3 will then restart. You will see many different languages, all that is is saying is, "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button". Press the PS button and set your settings when it finishes it will start up and its fixed!

you can try doing this cuz i had the same problem till i did this...Access the PS3 recovery menu
1. Turn off Playstation®3.
2. Hold The power button down; The system will turn on and turn off once again.
3. Once the System has been shutdown, re-press you finger until you hear 2 consecutive beeps
4. When you hear the 2 beeps take finger off power button.
5. You will be promted to plug in your controller via usb and then hit the PS button
6. The Recovery menu will pop up.
..I did this and i got my ps3 Back !! :)

be patient and wait for those beeps.. they are important

-Press the tiny reset button on the back of the controller
-Plug in the USB Connection wire
-Restart Console
-When loaded, Press the PS Button

Hope it works mate :)

Try hard resetting it by doing this:

Flip the controller over, and press the reset button. It's to the right of the middle-top screw . You'll need something like a paperclip, toothpick, or something similar to push the button. Once you've reset your controller, connect it to your PS3 with a handy USB cable, and press the PS button (just like you did when you first got the controller). Now, it is paired again, and you should be OK.



Best of luck!