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How to Remove Stripped Screws From a PSP

The Sony PSP is a handheld video game system that plays games designed for PlayStation. PSPs are generally quite rugged, being designed to be carried around in backpacks and pockets. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to unscrew the case to change the faceplate or check on internal components that may have loosened over time. Unfortunately, the small Philips-head screws that hold the PSP together are vulnerable to being stripped; once they are, it becomes very difficult to remove them. There are a number of methods to remove stripped screws; you must take care to avoid damaging the PSP's electronic components.

Things You'll Need

Drill
Square-bit screwdriver
Superglue
Screw extractor
Pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the screw using a screw extractor. This is a piece that you can buy at most hardware stores; it looks like a blunt screw. The threads on a screw extractor are sharpened, allowing them to dig into the stripped area of the screw in the PSP. To insert the extractor, use a screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise until it digs into the screw, then keep turning. The screw will work its way out of the hole. Be careful to center the extractor on the screw shaft to avoid drilling into the material surrounding the screw.
- 2
  Use a screw-grabbing gel. These products have abrasive bits suspended in gel that hold your screwdriver in place in the stripped screw head as you turn.
- 3
  Fill the stripped screw head with superglue, then fit the end of a screwdriver into it and hold it in place until the glue dries. Turn gently counterclockwise to remove the screw. You must be very careful when doing this to avoid spilling any glue down the side of the screw, which could be glued in place in the PSP case.
- 4
  Find a square-head (Robertson) screwdriver with a square small enough to fit inside the small PSP screws, and wedge it into the stripped screw head. This can sometimes gain enough grip to loosen the screw and allow you to pull it out.
- 5
  Drill out the screw. This is a last resort, as done without care it could damage the PSP. To drill out the screw, fit a drill tip onto your drill that is just larger than the stripped hole. Drill down until you hit the screw shaft, then repeat with a slightly larger drill bit until the head of the screw comes off. You can then remove all the other screws, pull off the faceplate, and use a pair of pliers to remove the screw shaft. (Reference 2)

Sony PSP