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How to Repair the Eject Switch on a PSP

If the eject switch on your Playstation Portable system malfunctions, the UMD drive will not properly work and the PSP will not be able to play games. Because the eject switch is integrated into the UMD drive, you must replace the entire UMD drive to fix the switch. Replacement drives are available for purchase through many online retailers. Replacing the UMD drive on your PSP requires that you partially disassemble the unit, a rather complex procedure.

Things You'll Need

Phillips screwdriver
Thin flat utensil
Tweezers or thin pliers
Replacement UMD drive

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the PSP unit over and slide the battery cover off. The battery cover is on the left side of the PSP when the unit is facedown. Remove the battery from the battery compartment. Remove the memory stick, if there is one inserted in your PSP.
- 2
  Remove the warranty sticker from inside the battery compartment. There is a small Phillips screw behind the warranty sticker; remove the screw and the two other Phillips screws in the battery compartment.
- 3
  Remove the Phillips screw on the right side of the unit. Remove the two screws on the left side of the unit, next to the memory stick port.
- 4
  Turn the PSP over. Separate the front of the PSP case from the back of the PSP case. Pry the front and back covers apart with a thin flat utensil, if necessary. Remove the faceplate and set it aside.
- 5
  Locate the button bar at the base of the LCD screen. Note this bar is a long metal bar at that travels along the bottom of the LCD screen. Insert a thin flat utensil at the edge of the button bar and pry it upward. Repeat this on the right side of the button bar until you gain access to the thin brown cable below it. Unplug the cable using a set of tweezers or thin pliers and remove the button bar.
- 6
  Slide a thin flat utensil between the LCD screen and the metal mounting bracket that holds it in place, on the left side of the unit. Unhook the mounting bracket with the thin flat utensil. Slide the LCD out of the right mounting bracket and lift up on the screen so that you have access to the flex connectors below. Unplug the flex connectors using tweezers or thin pliers. Remove the LCD screen.
- 7
  Remove all seven screws located behind the LCD screen and pry the metal LCD housing away from the case on the left side of the unit. Remove the LCD housing.
- 8
  Turn the unit over and pry the UMD drive door cover off with a thin flat utensil. Do not apply too much force or you will break the hinge.
- 9
  Remove the four screws that secure the UMD drive in each corner. Extract the UMD drive and discard it.
- 10
  Insert a new UMD drive into the unit. Insert the four screws to secure it to the board and attach the door cover. Test the switch on the new drive to ensure that it works properly.
- 11
  Reassemble the PSP following the disassembly instructions in reverse.

Sony PSP