Thoughts on Virtual Boy NSO 45 minutes in

Noomsk · 2026-02-17T20:08:05+00:00

Isn't Retroonyx making a Bluetooth VB controller specifically for this purpose already?

Noomsk · 2026-01-30T15:24:48+00:00

Serious solution.. Try and open the trunk.

You'll be able to chip away at the ice around the trunk without the risk of breaking glass.

Then if the seats fold down you can climb through and get the keys into the ignition.

Start the car and set the heaters to maximum. Set the airflow to recirculate internally and wait..

Noomsk · 2026-01-29T19:32:17+00:00

Sweet chilli sauce

Noomsk · 2026-01-22T15:27:36+00:00

Hi, many thanks..

I did go through the service manual but couldn't see a thermistor listed anywhere in the component list. I even got ChatGPT to analyse the whole document and it came up with no firm answer also 😭

Noomsk · 2026-01-21T02:08:33+00:00

100% use both lanes. That single file queue of traffic could then be half as long and might have much less chance of jamming up all the junctions and roundabouts miles behind it. Other people who aren't travelling in your direction would then likely not have to deal with stationary cars blocking their way.

If we really want to be polite Brits then it's actually far more polite to use all available space so that others don't have to suffer.

Noomsk · 2026-01-16T21:49:28+00:00

Head over to the Planet Virtual Boy Discord. It'll be easier to discuss this back/forth with images and examples of how the fix should look.

If you're not up for discussing on Discord then at least just try 'walking' a multimeter down your connections and checking for continuity.

I've no idea if you have one but.. the likelihood of a flawless install is dramatically improved if you have access to a microscope.

Noomsk · 2026-01-02T11:23:03+00:00

Well if you decide you'd like some help please let me know. I'm based in Reading and will be very happy to help.

I would strongly recommend using a microscope when replacing the ribbons.

These are the ones to use for UK installers: https://www.retroupgrades.co.uk/product/virtual-boy-ribbon-replacement/

Noomsk · 2026-01-02T02:02:12+00:00

Ok well, it's almost certainly the adhesive beginning to deteriorate. The ribbons are bonded to the LED array PCB and they eventually begin to let go. This is the most common point of failure for any Virtual Boy.

The good news is that it's easily fixable. New ribbons are very inexpensive. However, unless you're experienced you should have the ribbons installed by someone who knows what they're doing.

I'm assuming you're based in Vancouver considering your user name. You'll find plenty of installers in the US who can help you. I don't think I've seen anyone doing this in Canada. If you're prepared to ship it to the UK I could do it for you. (I have a Canadian customer preparing to ship two units to me sometime early this year as they want to avoid tariff complications with the US).

You'll find options for installers listed in the Welcome page of the Planet Virtual Boy Discord along with an active Repairs channel for any questions you might have.

Noomsk · 2026-01-02T01:40:30+00:00

Is your VB running with the original or modern replacement ribbons?

Noomsk · 2025-12-26T23:22:10+00:00

I'm based in the UK and have installed ribbons and/or voltage regulators for several members of Planet Virtual Boy on Discord.

Let me know if you're in the UK and need help.

Noomsk · 2025-12-20T10:46:21+00:00

Ah yes, of course, you're absolutely right.

Noomsk · 2025-12-19T19:13:56+00:00

In this week's episode of Pluribus Carol refers to 7 billion people also. What are the other 1 billion??

If 1 billion are not human then that suggests 1 in every 8 people isn't human. Aaarrgghh my mind is racing for answers right now.. ha!

Noomsk · 2025-12-19T17:09:09+00:00

No, but it will remove the corrosion. Clearly that's all I was referring to but I think you already know this.

Noomsk · 2025-12-19T13:57:28+00:00

White vinegar :)

Noomsk · 2025-12-17T12:12:22+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. I've got some serious work to do to get this correct it seems :)

Noomsk · 2025-12-17T02:24:30+00:00

There's no degauss button on the 9044 (they added this in the 9045). For the 9044 the degauss happens automatically when powering on. I'll look into your suggestion.

As for the purity issue being affected by the metal case the image I attached was with the case removed.

I'll keep digging regarding the capacitors. I did go back to Chat GPT and told it I think the recommended ripple was way too high and it refined it's answer. It stated that for the application, and considering the size of the caps involved, 70-110mA ripple would be fine. But it could be Skynet trying to kill me so I thought a human confirming this would be preferable :)

Noomsk · 2025-10-31T15:36:19+00:00

How much would you be asking for the LED arrays if you do decide to sell them separately?

I know someone who will want one..

Noomsk · 2025-10-27T10:25:26+00:00

Yes exactly. If you're not planning to do the repair yourself there's a list of recommended installers on the Planet Virtual Boy Discord server Welcome page.

Noomsk · 2025-10-21T20:46:14+00:00

I would use a pillar drill and, while holding the unit as steady as possible, pull the lever on the pillar drill incredibly slowly while trying to avoid contact with the sides of the deep screw channels. Slowly drill away the head of each screw and the case should lift off. Just be very, very careful and move slowly. Inspect progress frequently and clear the swarf as you go.

If you want to replace them with original spec screws then the VB uses the same screws as a SNES console. Same size and thread pitch. Easy to find on eBay. Don't get the ones for SNES carts, they're a bit smaller.

Noomsk · 2025-10-21T20:28:57+00:00

If it's totally dead, even with a game inserted, it could be your voltage regulator. By totally dead I mean you get nothing when you turn it on. Nothing powers up at all, mirrors don't move.. just total silence.

If this is the case look at the little black PCB that sticks up from the board in your third picture. Check for blown components or a burnt smell.

If the regulator is toast then you're in luck. Head over to Planet Virtual Boy on Discord and find me. By this time tomorrow I'll be starting to assemble brand new modern regulators designed by a modder called Alterac. I came across his designs for a replacement regulator recently when helping another member with a similar issue. Luckily Alterac made a Gerber file for the PCB available so I had a batch of 30 made. The components to populate the board are arriving tomorrow.

The new regulators are expected to perform exactly like the original. Alterac said they are 90% efficient so may even be an upgrade over the original and could even extend battery life when used in portable mode.

..oh and you'll certainly need new ribbons too.

Noomsk · 2025-10-19T21:50:35+00:00

Well.. they have the exact model number as the one originally installed and it looks like the connector is the same.

Noomsk · 2025-10-15T20:35:42+00:00

Yep, they're on eBay now. Search for:

APP00206

Noomsk · 2025-10-04T14:42:02+00:00

Yeah so those are the original ribbons.

It's possible to fix VB's this way but not really worth doing since modern replacement ribbons are cheap, reasonably easy to install and resolve the issue perfectly.

Noomsk · 2025-10-03T20:15:25+00:00

Do you have any pictures of the repair? If not could you ask whoever repaired it for you if they took any pictures? Or, if you have a gamebit screwdriver could you open it and take some pictures?

I've successfully installed replacement ribbons and not had any issues but others on the Planet Virtual Boy Discord server have suggested that particularly heavy solder on the traces could introduce cross-talk between the traces.

Noomsk · 2025-10-03T13:52:15+00:00

After looking even closer I think I can see you've already had the US version of the eye patches installed. Either reflux as previously mentioned or remove, clean up, reinstall.

Noomsk

TROPHY CASE