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How to Fix a PSP Handheld Game System

The Sony PSP sometimes becomes corrupted when you update the firmware the wrong way or remove the power from the device during an update. This results in a "bricked" device, which means it is unusable in any way. You can send the device to Sony for them to reflash the firmware onto the PSP, but this is also something you can do at home. Hardware problems can also be easily fixed. A hardware fix has been made simple by Sony with only a few screws in the way, but it is only recommended to make minor fixes, as more major fixes can seriously damage the PSP.

Things You'll Need

For bricked device:
Magic memory stick
Pandora battery
Phillips head driver
For hardware fix:
PSP hardware parts

Instructions

Bricked Device
- 1
  Remove the PSP battery and memory stick from the device and place these to the side. You will use them again at the end of this process.
- 2
  Insert the Magic memory stick into the PSP card reader. The Magic memory stick contains the firmware that will be reflashed to the device.
- 3
  Insert the Pandora battery into the PSP and the unit will turn on by itself. It is now in service mode. Press the "X" button twice to reflash the firmware onto the device.
- 4
  Press the "X" button once more to shut the PSP down.
- 5
  Remove the Pandora battery and Magic memory stick from the device.
- 6
  Reinsert the normal battery and memory stick and turn the device on. Select "System Update" from the PSP menu to update the PSP to the most recent Sony firmware.
Hardware Fix
- 7
  Turn off the PSP and remove the battery from the battery port. Remove the four black screws on the rear of the PSP and the single silver screw on the bottom edge of the PSP. Pop the PSP cover off.
- 8
  Remove the buttons from the PSP cover and snap in the new ones. If you are replacing the entire PSP cover, snap on the new one and reinsert the screws.
- 9
  Pop off the old analog stick and pop your new one on the PSP. Replace the PSP cover and tighten the screws to secure the cover back on the PSP.

Sony PSP