This was my first time actually attempting to fix/fix a display that had the classic red ribbon bars. I powered mine on, a relatively new unit that hasn’t been used hardly at all and the left eye was starting to create bars. I opened my unit and I was going to put it in the oven but I am always worried about how things come out if I put the entire board/ribbon in the oven. I know the oven method works but I just wanted to try something more controlled. I pulled each cable out, put them on a paper plate and pulled out my wife’s hairdryer. I blew the hair dryer across the front and back of the glue connection, going close, waving the dryer and pulling away about 10 times (mainly because my other hand was getting toasty!). I then also blew the hair dryer into a clean washcloth and used the hot towel to press down on the glue strip. The only thing I didn’t add was the reinforcement tape that is recommended on the oven page (I might do that later). Anyways, 30 minutes later, I had a perfectly working unit, both right and left eye.

I hope this helps someone out! I just wanted to recommend this method. It was relatively easy and a smooth procedure!

I also wanted to recommend this security bit set. They are cheap, fit every security bit on the Virtual Boy and also fit inside all the holes. You even get a bonus security bit screwdriver for other NES/64/SNES/Game Boy units and games.

Good call on the hairdryer! Let us know how it works in the future, I’ve heard that sometimes the heating method works for a while but that at other times it goes back to glitching out soon. Sounds like you were thorough enough with applying pressure too that you have a longer-term fix 🙂

I had some luck with one of those hair flat irons that my ex left behind heh. My thought was that its heat is concentrated on a small, flat surface that you could apply some pressure with too. Eventually I just decided to solder since I wanted to practice working on electronics anyway…

I have also tried a hair dryer, overall the soldering method still looks better (as long as you don’t end up destroying the ribbon cable). Still, if it’s the only option, what worked best is holding the ribbon cable in place with pliers or something, then hitting the ribbon cable with high heat. The glue section being too hot to touch should be enough to get the glue gooey. Then you should find something to clamp and press down the ribbon cable. I have a quick grip set of vicegrips, very handy for Famicom cartridges. I haven’t tried it but it would probably do much better than other lousy methods I’ve tried. I’m not sure when you would want to apply some electrical tape to add some reinforcement. In fact, I wonder if it insulates the original ribbon cable glue.

On the one Virtual Boy I’ve tried this method on, the right display is fine while the left has the occasional error, usually horizontal lines… *sigh*. At least I can play Virtual Boy games.

Russcular schrieb:
I also wanted to recommend this security bit set. They are cheap, fit every security bit on the Virtual Boy and also fit inside all the holes. You even get a bonus security bit screwdriver for other NES/64/SNES/Game Boy units and games.

http://www.amazon.com/Silverhill-Tools-ATKNND-Security-Screwdriver/dp/B00BEZY2I6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1389065939&sr=8-4&keywords=security+bit

Yes that one looks similar to mine I have:
http://youtu.be/yL6UI5QtPHM?t=12m42s

So it is worth getting that, don´t waste your time with those insert bits from eBay where the sellers claim it works for the Virtual Boy, but most of the times it doesn´t.