First time post. Malfunctioning Joystick port

[new2amga]

I purchased an A4000 earlier this summer and have been slowly getting around to working with it.  I used to have an Amiga when I was younger, and being the pack rat that I am I kept almost all of the software and working hardware I had.  So I had several joysticks and some software.  While tinkering with WHDLoad to get some old games to work, I noticed that I couldn't go up with the joystick.  Following the advice and use of a program by a user on another site that I have visited I found that it wasn't the joystick, but the actual port.  I don't really know what to do, as I am not steady with a soldering iron.  I talked to the gentleman who runs Softhut, and he gave me the phone number and address to their repair service, which is, coincidentally near where I live.  Looking around for people with similar issues, I have come across that most replace the motherboard.  I am dead broke right now, and where I can afford to to repair the motherboard, I highly doubt I could afford to replace it.  I apologize for the life story, but I am curious if there is anything that a low tech user like me can do?  Thanks for the help.

[amiga_3k]

Replacement of the MoBo is not necessary. Most of the times there are two possible faults when the joystick malfunctions:
1) The soldering has become bad. This is an easy thing to repair, just heat-up the soldering iron and rework al 9 (or so) soldering joints.

2) One of the CIA chips is broken. These can be replaced. In earlier Amiga's they were socket-mounted and therfor easy to swap. In the 4000 they're soldered (I believe). Still a bit of work but do-able and probably cheaper than a new / refurbished motherboard.

You could also try and find an Amiga-user near you with soldering skills who is willing to help you out at the cost of a crate of beer and material-cost.

[banzai]

To get a feel for what's involved, look here.

If it's just the joystick direction (up) that's not working, then I'd suspect the 74HCT166 (U975), one of the EMI beads, or maybe the pull-up resistor pack. As Antony mentions, it may also be a battery that corroded some of the traces when it leaked. All the info is there - have a look.

banzai