[DPsx7]

I had to wait for a few weeks for my games order to arrive. They came today and I was ready to try them out only to discover the right eye shows nothing. I’ve never had an issue with the VB before, but it’s been years since I last used it.

To make matters worse the second reason I was eager to try them is because my PS3 (which never gave me trouble either) suddenly decided to stop reading discs.

Hopefully I can get to those deep screws with the bit I used to repair my NES and games. If it doesn’t what would I need? Already saw the thread about display issues but I won’t know what I’m facing until I get this open.

*Can’t get to the deep ones. Stores are closed for the night. I did rattle the system a bit and managed to get the right side to light up. Then after about 10 levels of Bound High (with the VB pointed upwards sitting in my lap, lol) it went out again. I think it’s trolling me. Saw the glitchy lines so it has to be the typical problem.

• This topic was modified 11 years, 6 months ago by DPsx7.

[speedyink]

Sounds like the typical problem. As I haven’t received my virtual boy yet I can’t confirm this, but apparently a 1/4″ bit (once in the holder) won’t fit a couple of the holes. If you have access to a dremel or similar you can put a slice on the back end of your bit so you can use a standard flathead to drive it.

• This reply was modified 11 years, 6 months ago by speedyink.
• This reply was modified 11 years, 6 months ago by speedyink.

I can’t reach the 4 deep ones. Before cutting anything I might take a trip to the shop and see if they have something that will work. Dang these security screws.

The bit I used ‘worked’ but it seemed to slip a little on the screws.

Hmm, slippage is not good. It’s supposed to be a 4.5mm gamebit I believe. I hope so, since that’s what I ordered!

i used a grinder to make my 4.5 mm bit thinner and then a dremel to cut out a bit at the top for a normal screw driver. it worked perfectly. after that i replaced all the screws so i’ll never need to go through that again.

if you go this route make sure your bit is thin enough to fit in the deeper holes. mine got stuck while i was test fitting it and i had to dig it out.

you can also notch a flat head screw driver so that it will grip the screw on two sides. grab a .99 cent store type screw driver and cut out a bit of the center.

if you want to replace your screws, pick up pan phil sheet metal screws #4 x 1/2 plated. if you are going to use a magnetic driver or a magnetizer, make sure you do not get stainless steel.

Dunno which method I’ll go for. I do own a lot of games so it may be worth getting a quality bit/driver. This one was gotten on Ebay when I was building up my NES collection. The ridges on it aren’t as defined as I’d like them to be.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-Screwdriver-Bit-Set-3-8-4-5-mm-Nintendo-NES-SNES-SEGA-N64-Cartridge-/161006872043?pt=US_Other_Video_Game_Accessories&hash=item257cc1e5eb

Funny you type that as those are the same ones I just found on Amazon. Zon is $6.99 though. And I already placed 2 orders today for various other parts and things.

I recently ordered that set from Amazon and they work great. They were REALLY worth the $7 compared to the previous troubles I’ve had with my VBs.

In terms of the repair, you should probably check out DogP’s newest fix, which seems to be the best plan. If you’re not comfortable soldering small things, there are a few forum members who are that you should talk to.

Still waiting for them to arrive. It’s funny how Amazon ships the stuff you need the least the fastest. But when you’re waiting for something, of course they take their time.

I’m ok with soldering as I’ve fixed things before including my pinball machine. However I don’t exactly have a great iron making delicate work tougher than needed. Depending what it looks like when I open the VB I would try the oven trick or find a clip to hold the cable in place. Or something which I haven’t seen suggested would be conductive epoxy. I used that to repair a few broken leads on a dot matrix display.

Well that’s terrific. I had ordered a tool from Amazon to open the unit and since I wasn’t in a huge rush chose the super saver shipping. Been about a week, the box arrives today. Would you believe that the box and receipt says ‘screwdriver bit’, but inside is some kind of USB extension cable with a port I haven’t seen before?

Dammit… I hope they can express ship the right part before the weekend.

Tools came again today. The 4.5 looks good but I think the 3.8 is miscut. Time for more email…

Anyhow I got it open and now I’m a little confused. The side that was out is working well but the other side now has the lines and is dimmer. If I push the ribbon cables onto the boards shouldn’t that help? It seems to get worse if I push them and better if I let them sit naturally. Kinda the opposite of what I expected. I haven’t taken it fully apart yet. Even stranger is I tried with Blox and saw the problems. Space Pinball you wouldn’t think anything was wrong. Not sure how that could be.

When I get around to making repairs I don’t think I’ll jump right into solder or my glue/epoxy idea. Might see how far the oven trick gets me but I want to figure out why it’s doing what it’s doing first.