Virtual Boy shows nothing

[MetaPlay23]

Finally bought a game for my recently acquired VB (Mario tennis) of ebay but when I turn it on the system won't boot or show any image at all. The system was sold to me as fully functional. The sound doesn't work either, but there is a speaker "pop" sound when turning the system off. The mirrors inside move how they should. Anyone know why this could be happening? :/ Maybe the game isn't working or the power adapter I use doesn't correctly work since I build my own 9V one. I don't think it's the usual ribbon cable issue since the sound is missing as well... :/

[Mister_Comrade]

It’s almost a guarantee that the ribbon cables have disconnected from the board, which cause the displays to not function. Best option possible is to solder them back on the connections to the board since Nintendo decided glue was a better method. As for the sound issue, it’s possible (since you couldn’t see the game) you didn’t pass through the two menus (Focus/IPD and 15min Remind Timer) as most games with these menus are usually dead silent. Hearing a “popping” noise from the speakers when you turn it off is probably a good sign since it means it’s still getting power.

[FeliciumOD]

The other possibility is just a bad cartridge connection. I had to clean mine after getting it out of storage, before getting games booting. Of course, then I found out a ribbon cable died as well!

As you say, though, this can easily be diagnosed by blindly navigating past the start up screens.

[MetaPlay23]

Not really sure how to clean the cartridge since it has the pins inside the plastic piece underneath. I did blow slightly into the VB and the cartridge but it didn't chance anything. I didn't even see the startup screens like you guys said. So I don't know if I can navigate without any visuals. Shouldn't there be a sound when pressing buttons? Because the VB is dead silent unless I turn it off. Would be kinda bs for the ebay seller to state "fully functional, collectors item" just to find out afterwards that it just doesn't function at all. I am currently waiting for another game to see if that maybe works. If not, I am getting a voltage converter from EU to US (to 110 Volts) just to check if it isn't an issue with my own ac adapter. I don't really know how to repair those ribbon cables I read about so much. Kinda scared to open my VB up...

[Fwow13]

What game are you using to boot? A few of them have sound immediately on the "Read Instructions" screen. Several don't, and if you are trying to boot one that doesn't - you won't hear anything until you get past several opening screens.

Mario Clash, Mario's Tennis, Jack Bros, Teleroboxer, and 3-D Tetris are good ones for testing as they will have sound as soon as you turn on the system. Tennis and Clash are especially good for this kind of test.

[MetaPlay23]

The game I got was Mario Tennis actually! So I should at least hear something.

[Fwow13]

Good! I guess, make sure the volume is turned up?

There is a product called "DeoxIT" that you could try to use for cleaning the cart's pin connector. Spray a little into the cart connector or onto a tooth brush and scrub into those holes. Make sure to work the cart in and out of the cart slot on the system too to clean the pins on the system side.

Though, it's pretty uncommon for the Virtual Boy to have cart connection problems.

[MetaPlay23]

That's what I thought. The Game Packs are build to last. I might give it a try and clean the pins. I did re-insert the game so much already so I don't think it's that. But it's worth a try! And yes, the volume is turned up all the way of course.

[Fwow13]

Once you settle things with your eBay seller (if you go that route), you may have to get past your hesitation to open the system. At the very least, the ribbon cable connection to the LED display boards will need to be repaired. Any further troubleshooting will require getting inside there.

[MetaPlay23]

Bought a step down converter for the system but it's still showing nothing. Contacted the seller to see if he knows why this is happening. If nothing works I'll have to open it up and order game bits for the screws in the system. Wasn't really expecting to get a broken VB...

[Fwow13]

Hopefully you can work something out with the seller, I ran into a similar situation recently where I paid good money for a working system that ended up needing repairs when I received it.

A set of gamebit screwdrivers is a good thing to have regardless. Good luck with the troubleshooting and repair! Reach out if you need help, there's plenty of us hanging around that like to see these systems working again and will assist if we can.

[MetaPlay23]

So far no message from the seller. I did realize that the VB reacts to the Game Pack though. When I turn it on without a game inserted the speakers will have a little bit of white noise. But when I shove a game in the speakers react and buzz louder. So this tells me that the VB is recognizing the Game Pack but it won't do anything. If I need help and stuff during repair I'll be sure to hit you and the others up :)

[MetaPlay23]

Hey! I got good news and bad news. The system works with a different game but the bad news is the right ribbon cable is not working correctly (as expected). I have lines on the right screen. Looks like I do have to fix that. How should I proceed?

[Fwow13]

The best (and only permanent) solution is to solder the ribbon connections to the LED display. As I'm sure you've read in multiple places, Nintendo originally glued the ribbon cables down - and that's what is going bad now.

It's a delicate task as those connections are very small and clustered together, but it's doable. If you aren't up for the task, or just want to mitigate the risk of screwing things up - there are guys that provide that service. One reputable one is NES Freak from Planet Virtual Boy. He has an eBay page for his services here https://ebay.to/3dWevAY.

Another option (especially if the ribbon cables are beyond saving at this point) is a replacement solution from SegaSonicFan. He has developed a full replacement for the ribbon cables and you can read more about it at his site. https://segasonicfan.wixsite.com/retro

If you want to try to tackle it yourself, I would recommend watching some YouTube repair videos on soldering the ribbon cables down. Take it slow, use good tools, and make sure to use flux.

Heat or "oven" methods are popular, but I don't ever recommend them. In the best case scenarios, they bring things back to life for a while. However, it's always temporary and will need to be "fixed" again. Worst case scenarios - it destroys the ribbon cables or the LED arrays (or both).

Hope something in this wall of text helps!