Virtual Boy Display Problems Full repair and explanation fix flickering and dead eye piece view

[@freakmanultra]

After watching your video, I purchased a soldering iron. I followed how you flow the solder and now my Virtual Boy is back from the dead. Thanks!

[@GamestoreAF]

That's fantastic! Way to go!

[@BakukuMods]

The amount of work and detail you put in this video as well as the repair itself which is done to a professional standard is amazing. This should get more credit. Well done sir and keep up the good work!

[@GamestoreAF]

Thank you for the kinds words, much appreciated! Glad you liked the video.

[@GLAAAAAR]

Much more finesse in your repair than any of the other videos on youtube. The other ones seem to just flood with as much flux and solder as possible, heating for a very long time and hoping the cleanup process leaves things in good shape. :)

[@GamestoreAF]

Thanks! We try to take our time and do things right, so good to find it doesn't go unnoticed. Appreciate the comment!

[@LiaThePenguinologist]

love this :) makes me really want to try fixing mine

[@obiwanshinobi76]

Yeah me too!

[@electrohacker]

I've seen repairs like this corrode, would it be better to use some sort of solder mask over the traces of the cable instead of kapton tape?

[@SpecterVideoGamer]

Amazing knowledge

[@GamestoreAF]

Thanks! It only took us a year to respond, but we still appreciate it.

[@SpecterVideoGamer]

@@GamestoreAF lol all good

[@andrewgreen3707]

Thanks for sharing - decided to give it a go and immediately took a step back. Removing the film layer was easy, but I didn't have much luck when it came to the soldering. Instead of tinning up like yours, I immediately saw the brown lines move around. I'm worried this is what it looks like to "remove the pads", but is this something else? I dare not go further lest I do more damage. Also - are you applying more solder, or just reflowing what is already on the PCB?

[@pippo2k1]

Even if I didn’t have a similar issue with my VB I’d love this video. That was fascinating. My VB goes straight to static black and white when I turn it on. Could that be related to this fix? Also, what’s the best way to connect with you for a repair. Thank you.

[@RandomDude989]

What solder type are you using? Or are you just re-flowing the existing solder?

[@J_Business]

Very cool stuff thank you for posting this. Someone local to me said not to wait too long about repairing a VB because over time it'll get worse and more damaged thus harder and less chance to fix later on. In your expertise is there any truth to that? TIA!

[@4kgamecube]

My VB works perfectly as of now but I am a little worried about it dying in the future. How reliable are the oscillating mirrors are they known to die? I am not really sure how they work but logic tells me that moving parts most commonly break down.

[@kipplingmertens1923]

Would you ever consider fixing one for some one? I have two consoles with the same problem but I am not confident in fixing them myself. I have always wanted to play it again. I would compensate handsomely.

[@GamestoreAF]

We could absolutely fix them as a service. If you don't live near Nebraska we could work out a shipping arrangement, and then you are looking at $100 per repair.

[@FCUYTFUYTF]

Wat r some physical pieces that r usually missing when buying second hand?????

[@GamestoreAF]

Often the kickstand and controller/battery pack get lost or broken to some extent.

[@larzcity4759]

Are you still repairing virtual boys? I didn't see the service on your website....The left eye on mine works but not the right

[@overdriver99]

Now this is REAL permanent fix... I wish I have your skill LOL

[@bencheshire]

Youve made this look easy, but when I unscrewed my virtual boy to find the screen pcb I cant believe how miniscule these tracks are that you are soldering. Do you use magnifying glasses to do work like this?

[@GamestoreAF]

Honestly, those tracings are way bigger than modern day electronics. We use 600x digital microscopes. You can find them relatively cheap and they have hdmi out. Should come up in searches

[@OMURTZGames]

where did you get the torx t8 ripper?

[@GamestoreAF]

Found a set of those on Amazon

[@SpecterVideoGamer]

Mine makes a weird noise I get no vision, audio intro only in some games

[@GamestoreAF]

It's possible that both screens have gone out, or potentially problems with the pin connector in the cartridge slot.

[@SpecterVideoGamer]

@@GamestoreAF I really dont know, sadly noone in my area fixes them

[@sharkboyenterprise4556]

Hi Bro. I'm creating a video game channel on youtube and I'm making a video about the Virtual Boy. Would you authorize me to use a part of your video for approximately 10 seconds where the mirrors appear? :) I am from Brazil.

[@GamestoreAF]

Sure. Go for it

[@sharkboyenterprise4556]

Nice!! Thank you very much :)

[@Vxnxio]

What if the lens have lot of scratches? Can you repair or replace that?

[@GamestoreAF]

It could be repaired as long as the scratches aren't too deep. The lens would have to be wet sanded with a very fine grit sandpaper. Over 1000 grit at a minimum.

[@aleph_prime]

For all those struggling to separate the case after removing the 8 screws he mentioned... there are 4 more. :)

[@GamestoreAF]

Good catch! Thanks for the heads up.

[@electrohacker]

there are, but they only hold the stand mount

[@garyarsenian2819]

The most riskiest and not so easiest fix. Take caution and follow carefully if you are going to use this method

[@GamestoreAF]

Great point, definitely not for the faint of heart. Go slowly and with caution!

[@garyarsenian2819]

@@GamestoreAF yeah i say that because i messed mine up. 🤣 it was my bad luck day.

[@leetotigz6571]

What kind of Flux was used?

[@GamestoreAF]

I use Kingbo flux out of a syringe

[@TeamBlueToad]

You should get far more attention for the content you make.

[@GamestoreAF]

More coming. Finally

[@joshwills3763]

Question. Could you repair mine? Cost?

[@GamestoreAF]

Yes. We have a repair service. You can send yours in and we can fix it. Same issues?

[@joshwills3763]

@@GamestoreAF yes, same issue. Haven’t had it on in years, but I can hear the sound just no picture.

[@GamestoreAF]

@@joshwills3763 If you'd like us to repair it would be $80 before shipping cost, you would pay the initial shipping cost to send it to 311 S 72nd St, Omaha, NE 68114. Then after repair we would cover the cost of shipping it back to you.

[@brianhanrahan5609]

Is this something that I can pay you to do for me? This looks too crazy for me to handle.

[@skiptoacceptancemdarlin]

This has probably never been done outside of KZbin. May as well solder an empty tuna can to an old boot

[@andysan9557]

I have one of these ( it was a rental system), and the right side lebs doesnt work, so I'll most likely sell it. i do not have the soldering abilities to repair it .

[@johndoe815.]

While you got it open make it display full color

[@robertdominguez2256]

I follow exactly to the tea what you did and my lens is destroyed so now I'm going to have to hold you accountable for the damages and if u don't respond I would take this legal and follow up with my attorney