A noob needs help! Trolls not welcome.

[Untzboy]

All right, I'm new to this site, and hacks/mods in general. Or is it cracks? Anyway, I've got an old SIXAXIS from launch, and, as I'm sure that some of you have experienced, my left analog stick gave out. It now sticks upward, making it unusable. I thought I'd just recycle the battery. Furthermore, it is obvious that it is identical, albeit a PS button, to the older DualShocks. So, my question is, would it be plausible for me to scavenge parts from an old DualShock, attach them, and expect it to work? Yes, by the way, this is Fallout inspired. If not, do any of you have an idea as to what I could do to fix it? Perhaps MacGyver it with rubber bands and bobby pins? If all else fails, could you recommend something ELSE to do with an old controller, aside from throwing it away? Like something.... fun?

[ShockSlayer]

I think you should be able to do a swap.

SS

[collinE]

yeah, I haven't looked inside, but the analog stick should be the same as just about any other. The only problem I think you'd have is the actual size of the analog stick. A PS2 stick could end up being a mm taller and then it wouldn't just be a simple swap. you'd have to mod the case.

but most joysticks are compatible.

[XPCportables]

you should be able to get away with it. The Ps2 analog sticks are all around more thick than the sixaxis, but they should be physically interchangeable. The only problem should be aesthetics, since the analog sticks won't match, but I'm sure that that is not the end of the world.

[Basement_Modder]

Yup, should work. Although, I recommend you swap the analog stick on the right and the analog assembly on the left, so that it's cosmetically the same.

[17daysolderthannes]

first find out and make sure you weren't just holding it while the system booted and calibrated the joystick. Ruling that out, determine if it just sticking because it has food in it or if the potentiometer(s) is shot. If that's the case, you'll have to swap it out and I have no idea if a PS2 would readily swap out. First I would recommend taking the controller apart and if there is some kind of food, cleaning it with rubbing alcohol, and if not, spraying it as best as you can with electronics compressed air cleaner (the stuff you use to clean keyboard keys). Unless you've crushed it, its probably just a bad/loose connection either in the potentiometer or something around it.

[RDC]

Neither the Stick (part soldered to the board) or Stick Cap (part ya see and touch) are directly interchangeable between PS2 and PS3. The stick cap sits a little bit too high and rubs on the inside of the shell. The sticks in the PS3 controller are a much smaller version that what are in the PS2 controllers, so if yours is damaged physically in that way you'll have to get another Six-Axis to swap it out from.

There are also multiple versions of the PS3 controllers and depending on which one ya have the newer Six-Axis Sticks are not going to work as they use 4 leg digital POTs instead of the 3 leg linear ones. The Stick Caps though are the same for all PS3 controllers.

[Untzboy]

Neither the Stick (part soldered to the board) or Stick Cap (part ya see and touch) are directly interchangeable between PS2 and PS3. The stick cap sits a little bit too high and rubs on the inside of the shell. The sticks in the PS3 controller are a much smaller version that what are in the PS2 controllers, so if yours is damaged physically in that way you'll have to get another Six-Axis to swap it out from.

There are also multiple versions of the PS3 controllers and depending on which one ya have the newer Six-Axis Sticks are not going to work as they use 4 leg digital POTs instead of the 3 leg linear ones. The Stick Caps though are the same for all PS3 controllers.

The stick caps aren't an issue to me, or the case. I'll whittle a new one out of wood if need be. The legs you speak of confuse me. This is a SIXAXIS from December, launch year. (2006?) I consider that an older SIXAXIS, so the legs should be fine, right?

[Untzboy]

Okay, I have finally cracked the Chinese Fingertrap that is known as the SIXAXIS. I'll post pics soon as I track down my webcam drivers. Anyway, could somebody give me a quick run-down of the anatomy of an analog stick? Somebody mentioned pentitonical Flux Capacitors or something. What are those?

[RDC]

There are several versions of the Six-Axis and that controller could have either of the 3 or 4 leg POTs in it. If it's one of the much older Six-Axis with the shell that's kind of smoke/clear color then it has the older 3 leg POTs for sure. The newer Six-Axis, right before the DS3 came out, have a more solid black color shell that ya can't see thru at all and those have the newer digital POTs.

Way more info on the different board versions can be seen here..

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=648322

The older 3 leg POT stick is just 2 Potentiometers and a Momentary push button. The newer 4 leg POT ones are Hall Effect (magnetic) for the POTs and they can't be swapped to the controller that uses the older 3 leg ones and vice-versa. So if the actual stick is broken ya need to get a replacement from one of the versions of controller with the same type POT in it.

[Untzboy]

Here's the little poop egress at it. Sorry for the blurriness. It's 3 leg by the way. I think this maybe a common problem, but as always, its better seen than talked about: http://i44.tinypic.com/fnhdkz.jpg


Also, since I'm in here, it says on the battery that it could asplode if I changed it. Does that mean it WILL explode, or are they as uncertain as they say? It also says the max current is .4Amps, and max voltage is 4.2v. It's current battery is at 3.7V, and I must make it last longer. Is an effort to switch useless, or is it plausible? GASP! I must power it with lemons! Lots of lemons.

[RDC]

It's a common problem when the controller is dropped or tossed, it's pretty rare for a stick to break like that on it's own, but it does happen from time to time.

That stick is shot and needs replaced. Make sure ya don't tear up an Vias/Traces in the process of replacing it as that will make a huge mess to repair. Getting that thing desoldered properly takes a little practice.

"Replaced by an Incorrect Type", read the full warning. Putting an alkaline battery in there would be bad as well as pretty stewpid.

If you're actually running the battery dead in the controller then you're either not recharging it, have a battery that's on it's way out (if ya are recharging it) or just game for way to long and should go outside for a little bit, while the controller recharges. The PS3 doesn't recharge the controllers when it's turned off like the 360 does with it's controllers, kinda stupid there Sony.

About the only place you'll find a replacement stick is from another controller also.

If you're into arcade sticks ya could just center the stick up and hot glue it in place, then build an arcade stick from it.

[Untzboy]

lol, I'm aware of the battery situation. Just thinking out loud. So, I admit defeat. What parts should I salvage? So far, I just want the functioning stick and the accelerometer. Never know when crap will come in handy, right?

[RDC]

The Accelerometer isn't going to do ya much good from that version of board unless ya figure out how it works, much easier to just get one of those type ICs if ya ever plan to make something that would need it, even Sony changed it on later board revisions.

I'd keep all of it, cuz ya never really know. The Daughter board, connector and some of the shell can be made to put the D-pad from it into a 360 controller. The board can still be used to make an arcade stick, even with the analog sticks and Daughter board missing.

[Untzboy]

I'd keep all of it, cuz ya never really know. The Daughter board, connector and some of the shell can be made to put the D-pad from it into a 360 controller. The board can still be used to make an arcade stick, even with the analog sticks and Daughter board missing.

You don't say? Well then, I'm off to a fancy shmancy arcade stick. For Street Fighter, cuz I can't pull any of the more complicated moves using the current stick situation. Thanks for your tremendous help.