With the motherboard exposed, you may want to take this opportunity to lift the heat shield and check the model number of your motherboard, in case you have future plans to install custom firmware; knowing the model number of the motherboard, as shown in Figure H, will tell if it's even possible to install custom firmware on your PSP.

FIGURE H


The model number of your PSP's motherboard is located under the heat shield. Roll over picture for a larger image.

On the bottom left of the motherboard, near where the LCD cables attach is a screw securing that corner of the motherboard. Loosen this screw so you can lift that corner of the board; you don't need to actually remove the screw, just loosen it. Figure I shows the location of the screw.

FIGURE I


Loosen this screw on the bottom of the motherboard. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Next, remove the screw holding the analog stick as shown in Figure J.

FIGURE J


Only one screw secures the analog stick on the PSP Slim. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Once the analog screw has been removed, use the tip of your screwdriver to lift the corner of the motherboard. You can then gently remove the analog stick by lifting it by the nub and withdrawing it to the left. Use caution that the silicon insulator in Figure K doesn't fall off the stick and get lost under the motherboard.

FIGURE K


Be sure to keep the silicon insulator from the original analog stick. Roll over picture for a larger image.

With the old analog stick out, it's a simple matter to install the new one. Put the silicon insulator from the old stick over the contacts on the new one and make sure it's in there snugly, then just reverse the removal process and you should be good go to with your new analog stick.

You may want to put a dab of nail polish or Loc-Tite on the screw threads to help hold them in and reduce the possibility of stripping out the socket threads. The more times you have to replace the stick, the higher the chance of stripping out those plastic threads; then you'll have to replace the faceplate too.

As you can see, swapping out a broken analog stick on your PSP is quit an easy task. In fact, I've done it so many times over the past few years that I have it down to about a five minute process. There's very little risk in the procedure, and the payoff is an instant repair and knowing the history of your device; versus the delay of sending your unit to Sony, having to wait for a return device, and not knowing what you'll receive in return.

Dr. Humayun Bakht completed his Ph.D at the School of Computing and Mathematics in Liverpool at John Moores University. Prior to his current course of studies, he has successfully completed his MSc Software Engineering and BSc Electronics Engineering from University of Liverpool UK and Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, Pakistan. Humayun's research interest is mobile ad-hoc networks, in particular, the development of a new routing algorithm for this type of networking. He can be reached at humayunbakht@yahoo.co.uk and you can visit his Web site at http://www.geocities.com/humayunbakht/.