[HorvatM]

Hi,
as many other Virtual Boys have, mine also has developed the glitchy display problem – the right display is completely blank and it is extremely difficult to play Red Alarm that way (the only VB game I have so far). And it has been a really sad experience for me, as I got it for Christmas, and it worked fine until a few days later.

So I tried to open the Virtual Boy, but of course I had to buy the tools. So I bought the tools, and none of them worked. I figured that it would probably be easier if I ask here, so does anyone have a spare VB-compatible screwdriver?

• This topic was modified 15 years, 6 months ago by HorvatM.

[MasterOfPuppets]

If you get a Bic pen and take out the ink cartridge and just shove the pen into the screw it works quite well.

EDIT: removed picture, incorrect pen.

• This reply was modified 16 years ago by MasterOfPuppets.
• This reply was modified 16 years ago by MasterOfPuppets.

What is that pen called? Have you got a higher resolution image?

Hm, well not exactly. It’s a normal Bic pen found anywhere that sells pens. Here’s a tutorial.

http://wiki.nintendo-scene.com/Gamebit

It’s actually a different pen than shown in the first picture… the plastic on those is too soft… you want the hard plastic pens, like this one:

That tutorial that you linked to should explain everything though.

I’ve never tried one of the pens, but if you bought a real bit (that of course wouldn’t reach to the bottom on the deep ones), I’d use that to remove all but the 4 deepest ones, since the pens seem to wear out, and have to be remade. I’d also recommend pressing hard when you try to first turn the screw, as they take some pressure to initially break free.

I assume you’ve also seen the modified flathead screwdriver: http://home.comcast.net/~virtual.boy/projectvb/dissect.html , and modified security bit: http://home.comcast.net/~virtual.boy/projectvb/tech/securitybit.html … if you have the tools to make those, they work really well.

DogP

You can buy a relatively cheap security bit at the online site – Nintendo Repair Shop.

Link:

https://www.nintendorepairshop.com/shopexd.asp?id=82

The one you linked to is for the cartridge… it appears their 4.5mm is the same as all the rest, and not deep enough to reach the 4 deepest screws on the VB.

DogP

I bought a bit from this site. It is just the right length to pop out of the hole. However, you do still need to file down the edges near the stem in order to prevent it from scraping the holes wider.

Also, they accept paypal, which is quite handy.

I realize it’s just a bit DogP and that it won’t work on all the screws for the the VB, just pointing out a good site and a good place to buy one. And I figured if anyone was wanting to open the VB, they could use your suggestion of modifying a bit like this with a slit in it for a flat head screwdriver.

@Heliowalton – I like the looks of that bit, thanks for the info!

Oddly enough, I just turned on my Virtual Boy and noticed that for some reason, the right display now works again, but it’s still a bit darker than the left one (and occasionally shows some garbage).
So, should I even bother opening my VB?

I would say that it’s completely up to you.

Yeah its your choice if you want to open it up, i mean if you open it up now then you will be able to have access to fixing the glitchy display for when it does become so anoyying, but if it isnt bothering you at how its going now dont worry about it till it becomes a pain.

Are you looking for this?

I know a place to buy these in Akihabara.

It’s made by OSG Corporation. The product is LH Stix DLH3-95.

It can take all the screws out of the VB. The two deepest ones on either side of the cartridge slot took a little force, but no real problem.

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Forget the screwdriver, what’s all that cool blue-ish clear plastic stuff on your desk? Are those robot parts?!

(Actually, thanks for the info about the screwdriver. 😀 I found this page: http://www.osg-global.jp/products/lhstix/)

RunnerPack:
Forget the screwdriver, what’s all that cool blue-ish clear plastic stuff on your desk? Are those robot parts?!

That is exactly what they are! They’re parts for a Cartesian Robot (3 axis positioning system) which is for a RepRap (http://www.reprap.org). They’re laser-cut acryllic and the blue part is scratch-protecting film. Sadly, this will be discarded, but the clear plastic machine is beautiful anyway 🙂

(Actually, thanks for the info about the screwdriver. 😀 I found this page: http://www.osg-global.jp/products/lhstix/)

Maybe you can order these directly, but if you or anyone needs help acuiring one, I can get them and mail them. They don’t cost much (don’t remember exactly), but I don’t know about shipping. Also, incidentally the colors match the VB (!)

ok i just burned every pen i have….non work and to wide to find into the deep holes. so can some on show me a guid on how to mod my screw drive i checks the links most don’t work. i am beging…hell can some on mail me one or 2 of the bic pen bits? i am desprate and without much cash

Heliowalton wrote:
I bought a bit from this site. It is just the right length to pop out of the hole. However, you do still need to file down the edges near the stem in order to prevent it from scraping the holes wider.

Also, they accept paypal, which is quite handy.

Resurrecting this thread just to say I bought the bit referenced in the site above and they shipped quick got it within a week and after I shaved off a little bit of the hex part with my dremel it worked great. I fixed two VB with glitchy displays and replaced the screws with regular phillips head screws from Lowes. If anybody in the Phoenix area needs to open a VB let me know I would have no problem lending you the bit for a while or just meeting up just to remove your screws on the spot.

That’s a very generous offer, slicerd. I don’t have the opportunity or need to take you up on it, but I am wondering about the replacement screws you got.

Can you post the exact make/model, and maybe a size designation (for people without access to a Lowes)? Also, did they seem to fit well, or were they hard to turn in, hard to start, etc.? Is a side-by-side comparison photo too much trouble?

My VB has been sitting open (well, mostly closed, but unsecured) for over a month since I repaired the displays, just because I dread the thought of cutting slots in that many screws… I could find some “close enough” screws in my junk collection, but I’d prefer “almost exact” ones.

Thanks!

A cheap Bic pen to open my VB….that’s interesting

“The pen is mightier than the sword” ( coined by English author Edward Bulwer in 1839 ) 😉

Hey RunnerPack I will see I can put get a pic of the screws and the package next time I go to home depot/lowes. The fit was good too they were very similar dimensions.

Antoine BCN I have tried to pen trick but couldn’t get it to work I get the premise and I got the pen molded to the shape of the screw but actually turning the screw just messes up the plastic of the pen and the screw doesn’t turn. Maybe with a bunch of pens and a bunch of time you could get them out but I ruined a half dozen pens and didn’t even get one screw out. Then about a year later I just bit the bullet and ordered the bit fixed my VB that same night I got it.

I also bought a game-bit screwdriver, unfortunately it’s not long enough, can’t reach some of the screw’s