problem with dualshock - need information

[yoshi314]

i'd like to know whether somebody has some information on dualshock pad repair.

my pad recently fell down to the floor. as usual it fell bottom up, and hit the floor with the analog sticks.

since then the pad reports that R3 is being held all the time. that would not be such an issue, since not many games use R3/L3, but when i press some directional button in ulaunchelf, the application registers an X press immediately after. OSDSYS is unaffected by this issue, though.

i took the pad apart, thinking that maybe the R3 switch near the stick got locked, but it apparently didn't.

if somebody could help with some information on how to safely open the small metal"box" under analog stick, i'd appreciate it. or maybe the problem lies elsewhere.

the pad works perfectly fine otherwise.

[Northbear]

Reparing those original pads is hard.
Try to test the microswitch even if it's not blocked (visually and by pressing) the internals could be stucked so it's permantly "pressed".

[yoshi314]

well i don't mind if it's hard. the pad will probably work well with most games, it's mostly annoying with uLe (maybe i can hack it around somehow).

i really have rotten luck with controllers. over time i bought 5 original dualshock2 pads already. each of them broke down in a different way, usually by itself. and no, i'm not using them for button-smashing games like tekken, dmc3 or anything similar.

it's usually ff12, disgaea or mana khemia :/

one has apparently totally borked chip, because it reports various random combinations of key presses when plugged. also, triangle turns on the vibration, while X turns it off :]

one had right analog numb totally broken (it was second hand, so that was hardly a surprise).

one has circle and d-pad left permanently locked.

what's worse, most of them are totally different inside, so it's not like i can assemble a new, proper pad from them :/

*sigh*

maybe i should just try to find cheaper, non sony pads that are 100% compatible with games requiring dualshock 2 controllers (ff12, vp2 come to mind). they might be less reliable, but with my luck it might turn out cheaper for me :]

[ps2dragon]

I have the same problem in one of my controllers with the analog always pressing in one direction. I was going to repair it myself by using parts from another broken controller with a good analog stick after failing to fix the problem. I ended up buying a new controller instead, but if I did go through with it, I was going to de-solder the entire analog stick part and swap it with a working one. If you get it working, please post the results.

[Northbear]

I always prefer third party equipment for controllers cables etc. Logitech do good job for controllers.

Try to change the microswitch for R3 with one of your other broken pads.

Sometimes i think original equipment is built to get broken so you have to buy a new one...

[yoshi314]

Try to change the microswitch for R3 with one of your other broken pads.

that's what i'm planning, but i'm not sure how to disassemble it so that i don't break it.

Sometimes i think original equipment is built to get broken so you have to buy a new one...

yeah, especially when hardware manufacturer has a monopoly on the hardware. like sony had on the controllers and memory cards back in the day.

sony just prefers their platforms locked down, and they are pretty paranoid with it. they don't seem to offer help to any 3rd party vendors make hardware extensions/replacements for their consoles. business logic can somehow explain that, but i'm not good with it.

[Bootlegninja]

you should look into the logitech cordless action controller. I've had mine for years and it's still strong.

[Kennedy]

I agree with that recommendation. I bought 4 of these brand new for 99p each in February and they work better than the official Sony controller in my opinion. Even the battery life is very decent. They were a steal at this price!

[Bootlegninja]

I can agree with the battery life. with moderate playing, I can leave them in for a month before they die. Heavy, is about 40 hours game play, and light gameplay, a long ass time. although, always remove the battieries on extended periods when not in use.