Hello,
I was lucky enough to get a hold of a Virtual Boy Platform Display a few months ago.

The unit is working well. However, it seems difficult to insert and remove game cartridges;
due to the obstruction of the store display stand.

Is there a modification I can use to make this process easier to perform without having to
disconnect the head unit each time?

I’d like the modification to not be permanent or destroy the value of the Platform Display in any way.

Thanks in advance

Which one do you have? Like this one: http://www.vr32.de/modules/hardware/?type=displays&model=dphase&sub=counter_version ? I don’t typically use mine for playing, but a friend of mine does (actually, he’s got the full stand-up, but the VB cartridge slot area is the same), and he just tilts the VB forward, opens the back w/ the key, and swaps cartridges. There’s really no need to remove the VB from the stand to do it though.

DogP

Which one do you have? Like this one?

No… I have the Platform Display.
Like this one here:
Platform Display

And he just tilts the VB forward, opens the back w/ the key, and swaps cartridges.

Mine came with a key; but it doesn’t seem to turn.
Any idea what the deal is?

Ah… yeah, you should be able to use the key and get in and out easily (though I think the VB doesn’t stay in as well as the larger one)… but if your key doesn’t work, I’d guess it’s the wrong one, or it is kinda hard to turn when there’s force on it, like when the VB is resting against it. I’d try wiggling the VB, wiggling the key, but if none of that helps, it’s probably just not the right one.

You can completely replace the lock with a standard lock (from Home Depot, Lowes, etc), or IIRC all of the display keys are the same (I sent a copy of mine to someone many years ago, though I can’t say I remember for sure that it did work). I could probably send you one, though it probably wouldn’t be for a week or so.

DogP

if your key doesn’t work, I’d guess it’s the wrong one, or it is kinda hard to turn when there’s force on it

Well, it turns out it was the right key, it was just very hard to turn… but now I have a bigger problem on my hands; the key bent off and broke while inside the lock.

Am I screwed?

UPDATE: Well… I managed to get the part out of the lock that broke off, thankfully.

I could probably send you one, though it probably wouldn’t be for a week or so.

I’d gladly pay you a fair price if you were able to do this; once I get a hold of enough money.

Even with the display system unlocked;
It is still awfully hard to remove a game
sense there isn’t much room. That is why
I am still looking for any modification
suggestions / etc.

Thanks, a lot.

Doh… that sucks! A lot of times if it’s that tight, you need to bend the bracket on the end of the lock, or it might have just been in a bind from the angle that the VB was putting weight on it.

Anyway, I attached a couple scans of my key… just print it out and take it to Wal*Mart and they’ll cut you a new key.

Heh, j/k… let me know if that looks like yours and I’ll get a copy made and mail it to you.

DogP

Attachments:

1. 

   key1.jpg
   

2. 

   key2.jpg
   

I attached a couple scans of my key… just print it out and take it to Wal*Mart and they’ll cut you a new key.

Hahaha… you almost had me fooled… *Key*word almost lol

“let me know if that looks like yours and I’ll get a copy made and mail it to you.”

Eh… it doesn’t really look like mine… but it looks like it would fit. With how tight it was; I have a feeling it wasn’t quite the right key anyway; if that makes sense. The notches don’t seem exactly the same; and the head of the key is squarish instead of rounded. Would it work? I guess that’s another matter altogether. It’s worth a shot; and if it doesn’t work; I will just e-mail this guy that has one of these exact platform displays for sale on eBay right now; and try and get him to make a copy and sell me one; or I will just try and find someone with another type of key and get them to make a copy.

Regardless; let me know when and how I should send payment.

Thanks again.

Well… if the teeth aren’t the same, then there’s no point in trying, since the point of a key is to keep people with the wrong key out :P. But the key I scanned is from the exact same display model as you have, and it also works on both of my larger store displays.

Also, the lock itself is a standard lock… you can get a replacement at Home Depot/Lowes, which may be easier than trying to find someone with the same key, and maybe it’s different because the lock has been replaced once already.

DogP

The key I scanned is from the exact same display model as you have, and it also works on both of my larger store displays.

OK, I have a feeling that this was never the right key for it though;
it was insanely hard to turn; hence the reason it broke off inside.

The lock itself is a standard lock… you can get a replacement at Home Depot/Lowes, which may be easier than trying to find someone with the same key

OK, that sounds like something worth trying.
If it is OK with you though; I’d like to try
getting a copy of the key first, so let me
know how you would like me to proceed in
doing this.

Thanks again
for all you help!

Okay… just PM me your addy and I’ll mail you a copy this weekend. Don’t worry about the cost… it’ll only be ~$1 for the key and a stamp.

About your original problem of making it easier to get the games in and out… I’m not sure, without making some big changes. The best I can suggest is just flip the system all the way forward, open the back, and swap carts (like it was designed… not particularly easy, but not too difficult). I personally doubt that you’ll actually want to use that system for regular gameplay anyway though… it’s not very comfortable, since the controller is in front of the VB rather than behind, like it’s normally used.

DogP