A problem often encountered by Virtual Boy users are glitchy displays, leading to horizontal lines, reversed or generally distorted images, or even complete loss of display activity.
All those symptoms are usually caused by the ribbon cables connecting the LEDs to the motherboard becoming loose, or peeling away from the display PCB.
Fixing your Diplay: Oven method
DogP has come up with a way to fix the problem by opening the system up, removing the display, sticking it in the oven to re-melt the adhesive, and reassemble. It’s not a difficult procedure, except that the typical security bit can’t get to the deepest screws on the VB, so you either need a special screwdiver, a modified bit, or a modified screwdriver.
You can find a guide to fix your displays on DogP’s Project:VB.
Fixing your Diplay: Bypass method
Another way has been proposed by DanB. To permanently fix the problem, his idea was to replace the loosening ribbon cables with some better wires, which he soldered to the PCB. This solution requires much more skill, though, and should only be performed by solder experienced people with a steady hand and a huge portion of patience.
The complete guide can be found here.
Fixing your Diplay: New methods (RECOMMENDED)
Some more methods have recently been developed by DogP to permanently fix the cable problem (contrary to the probably non-permanent oven method): Thread.
Here are some pictures of how I peel up the ribbon cable plastic. With a thin sewing needle, you just work the tip of it under the plastic between a couple traces (only go under the plastic a tiny amount). Hold the needle at a low angle to the display PCB as you do it. Don’t try to pry up, just let the tip of it gently lift that portion of the plastic away from the traces.
As you work down the board in between each trace a few times, you’ll see the plastic start to give way. If you work slowly and don’t pry too aggressively, you should be able to expose enough of the copper without it peeling away from the PCB. You can still bend the ribbon cable copper down if they come off the traces, but it’s just a hassle to line them back up and solder without breaking them off.
