So I was looking through repair guides for the display issue and noticed some images where the ribbon cable was pulled apart from the display board (I think it was regarding using drain cleaner to remove the plastic from the metal points.)

So I figured I’d get the first step taken care of before sending it off to somebody and pull the ribbon away from the boards, and supposedly now this is near-impossible to solder back together 🙁

I have restuck the ribbons back to their boards and they work if I pinch them while the unit is on, but of course I’m looking for a permanent solution…

Did I ruin all hope for a solder solution? Am I doomed to oven trick purgatory?

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Do the ribbon cables stay stuck in place? If not, you can try heating up the one end of the ribbon cable with a hair dryer then clamp it down with something until it cools. That should be enough for a solder fix to be performed. Just make sure the ribbon cable is perfectly aligned onto the display board, or you’ll always have connection issues.

Looking at the pictures though, I don’t think they’re ruined. What damages ribbon cables is creases. If the video appears good when you press down on the ribbon cable, then it’s fixable with solder.

Thank for weighing in, man. That was my approach a few minutes ago. They’re currently cooling with a paperclip holding them in place as we speak. Hoping to get this thing revived as I’m long overdue for another playthrough of Teleroboxer (“Punch-Out 3”, as far as I’m concerned).

Well, it turns out I can reattach cables that have been peeled off their VB displays – if they’re carefully reheated and stuck back on – but it’s certainly not something I want to do again, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

So, if you’re contemplating doing the solder repair, or having it done, DO NOT mess with the cable or PCB in any way (unless you’re instructed to do so by your service provider)!

RunnerPack wrote:
Well, it turns out I can reattach cables that have been peeled off their VB displays – if they’re carefully reheated and stuck back on – but it’s certainly not something I want to do again, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

So, if you’re contemplating doing the solder repair, or having it done, DO NOT mess with the cable or PCB in any way (unless you’re instructed to do so by your service provider)!

So does this mean my 2 displays may have some hope as well? BTW sorry I haven’t mailed them out STILL. I have been sick (still slightly sick) and life has not been to kind lately and I feel like a real ass for taking so long.

Sorry to hear about your health issue (get well soon!) but even if you were well, it’s no big deal that you haven’t had time to send them. Although, it seems like that good-for-nothin’ husband of yours could take them to the P.O. for you, especially since (IIRC) they’re already packed up 😉

Yours are in a slightly different boat than these were, but I think they have at least some chance of pulling through. Maybe it would be a good idea to post “before and after” photos in the VG thread to let people know just how close to the brink these things can come and still be brought back to full, working order. We might save some VBs that are assumed to be “unfixable” by their owners.

RunnerPack wrote:
Sorry to hear about your health issue (get well soon!) but even if you were well, it’s no big deal that you haven’t had time to send them. Although, it seems like that good-for-nothin’ husband of yours could take them to the P.O. for you, especially since (IIRC) they’re already packed up 😉

Yours are in a slightly different boat than these were, but I think they have at least some chance of pulling through. Maybe it would be a good idea to post “before and after” photos in the VG thread to let people know just how close to the brink these things can come and still be brought back to full, working order. We might save some VBs that are assumed to be “unfixable” by their owners.

I’m better now for the most part, thanks 🙂

In all fairness my husband was sick with the sam crap I had so we were both pretty useless for a couple weeks lol.

I like the idea of the before and after pics on the displays. I think you’re right that so many people give up on ones that still are holding onto life just enough to be brought back.