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Nintendo — Virtual Boy

Nintendo Virtual Boy: Virtual Ribbon 4.0 Display Fix

February 17, 20233 threads~2 min readSuccessful repair
Corrupted graphics
Flex / ribbon repair

Virtual Ribbon 4.0 install on a Nintendo Virtual Boy is trickier than it looks. The mounting jig only screws on one side and won't apply even pressure, so some improvisation is required to get a consistent connection across the LED array. Worth it for a fully working Virtual Boy.

Parts & Tools

Virtual Ribbon 4.0

Virtual Ribbon 4.0 by SegaSonicFan, the permanent fix for the Nintendo Virtual Boy's failing LED-array ribbon connections.

hitmanmcc
hitmanmcc

February 17, 2023· Thread 1

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Finally got myself a Virtual Boy stand (Repair Box version). My VB is now whole. 😄 Box had a bit of a rough ride and the clip and spring fell off but I managed to put it back together. Thanks @StoneAgeGamer! #RETROGAMING #Nintendo #VirtualBoy

hitmanmcc
hitmanmcc

March 20, 2023· Thread 2

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My Virtual Ribbon 4.0 by SegaSonicFan finally made it across the pond. Thanks @StoneAgeGamer! Between this and the repro stand, I'll finally be able to make my Virtual Boy whole again. #Nintendo #RETROGAMING

hitmanmcc
hitmanmcc

December 7, 2023· Thread 3· 5 tweets

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(1/5) Today I finally decided to install the Virtual Ribbon 4.0 kit I purchased a couple of months ago on @StoneAgeGamer. My Virtual Boy had lines that disappearing sometimes, common fault. Let's dive in! #RETROGAMING #Nintendo #repair #restoration

2 / 5

(2/5) Cutting the adhesive and separating the old ribbons from the LED array PCBs. First one already unglued, really easy. Second one not so much, thought I was lifting traces from the PCB at a point but I wasn't. 😬

3 / 5

(3/5) Soldering the VB 4.0 to the LED array PCBs is not an easy task even with the mounting jig. It only screws on one side so it doesn't apply pressure evenly. Making it hard to get a connection on the side opposite to the screw. This is the achilles heel of the kit IMO.

4 / 5

(4/5) I ended up soldering with the PCBs leaning on the mat and the lense with the LED arrays outside the table area, so as to not damage it. This applies pressure evenly, which is essential. Got there in the end. It lives! And yes the ribbon cables are supposed to be slanted.

5 / 5

(5/5) We have a clear picture and this Virtual Boy is now a Happy Boy and fully functional!

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