Hi guys!

I’m completely new here and have probably only tried the Virtual Boy once like 12-13 years ago or so.

I got a VirtualBoy yesterday. But the problem is, after I put 6 AA batteries into it, it won’t turn on. I’ve only tried with Galactic Pinball in the system so far. The lier on Ebay wrote in the title it was “NEW”, and I only recieved one boxed game and 5 games in total, missing 3 games. Also the whiteish styrofoam wrapping the eyeshade was nowhere to be seen (if there is any?).

Also the battery compartment seems to have been eaten a bit by battery acid at some time. Atleast a minor bit of it, is this the problem, or is the problem inside the system somewhere?

I’m used to soldering and fiddling around with systems. Are there anything which I should check at first?

Hello and welcome.

First thing to do is put some batteries in the battery pack and check to see if you get voltage (with a multimeter) from the two contacts on the back of it. If not then the battery pack is at fault. If this is ok move on to the controller. Is there any damage on the contacts on the controller?

Certainly doesn’t sound like a “New” system, lol. You’re right, there should be a white cardboard piece over the visor.

I’ve heard of corroded battery packs preventing them for powering on, so VBmills has a good suggestion.

VBmills wrote:
Hello and welcome.

First thing to do is put some batteries in the battery pack and check to see if you get voltage (with a multimeter) from the two contacts on the back of it. If not then the battery pack is at fault. If this is ok move on to the controller. Is there any damage on the contacts on the controller?

Getting 9.71 V outta the battery pack or something like that, so that still seems intact.

The controller and cable doesn’t look damaged.

Your screens might just be dead, do you hear buzzing inside of the system when you hit the power?

don’t hear anything, I turned up volume max, nothing

Ok so we know the battery pack is good. With the battery pack on the controller, turn the power switch on and check pin 5 and 6 on the controller plug. Pin 5 is the bottom middle and pin 6 is to the left. You should get the same voltage here if all is well.

Out of interest have you tried pressing the start button a few times when attempting to play, just wounding if you get to a point to here in game music?

He said he was using Galactic Pinball, which should have sound as soon as he turns it on pretty much. Definitely sounds like a power issue.. If the controller has power coming out the plug then the next step is opening up the console itself.

Certainly not a “new” condition console, and not something you think would go wrong in shipping. If it was displays I’d understand, but this sounds kind of like you ripped you off. Have you talked to the seller yet?

speedyink wrote:
He said he was using Galactic Pinball, which should have sound as soon as he turns it on pretty much. Definitely sounds like a power issue.. If the controller has power coming out the plug then the next step is opening up the console itself.

Certainly not a “new” condition console, and not something you think would go wrong in shipping. If it was displays I’d understand, but this sounds kind of like you ripped you off. Have you talked to the seller yet?

I have talked to the seller and he offered some of the money back which I decided to go with. If I can fix the system I guess it’s still okay. I have successfully opened up the system itself, but I still haven’t actually checked the voltages on the controller connector yet. I’ll do that next time I have time to work on it.

Well at least you got something back.

Yeah, you’re gonna have to work your way up the power chain. Unfortunately I haven’t opened mine up yet, so not sure where you if it gets to that point. Somewhere around where the controller plugs in I’d assume.

Hopefully its just the controller though, very easy fix =P

http://www.planetvb.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3827&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

I hope this older thread gives you assistance in repairing the VB.

VBmills wrote:
Ok so we know the battery pack is good. With the battery pack on the controller, turn the power switch on and check pin 5 and 6 on the controller plug. Pin 5 is the bottom middle and pin 6 is to the left. You should get the same voltage here if all is well.

Out of interest have you tried pressing the start button a few times when attempting to play, just wounding if you get to a point to here in game music?

I measured the voltages, and it’s coming outta the pins you suggested. So there’s some problem with the unit itself.

got it working… cleaned away the battery acid and magiclaly it started owrking! 😀 beer + friends made it happen 😀
we are all having nice headaches and laughs now with the VB 🙂