Stripped screws and warranty?

I have a stripped screw on the bottom of the e6520 cover. I'm trying to install more RAM and this is very annoying. I can drill out the screw, but then the thread will be stuck inside (unless I can grab it with needlenose pliers and pull it out).

The only problem I am worried about is voiding my warranty. I can call Dell and have a tech come and open it up, but that seems entirely useless, as they would do the same thing as me.

Should I call and ask for permission? Thanks.

 

Did you strip the screw or did it come like that? I called up Dell as my E6410's bottom panel screw came stripped, and they said the would replace it under warranty.

 

I am sure it came stripped.

What happened in your case, how did they replace it?

 

I returned my E6410 for a refund (purchased through Outlet). I did call up Dell about it during the return period, and they said they would just mail me a new bottom panel + screw. But I ended up having too many issues so I sent it back for a refund (I got an i3, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD for 459 w/standard RTD depot).

 

After trying some more, I gave in and CAREFULLY drilled out the screwhead. I thought there might be a bit of hanging out screw thread, and I got lucky and managed to grab it with pliers and take it out once I took off the cover.

NO damage was done to the case or screw hole, miraculously.

Will steal a screw from somewhere.

 

Gosh i don't know how you managed to do that without breaking something. I've tried this myself on a couple of things and totally messed up. You must have used a really thin drill bit or something.

 

I used 9/56 and one just larger than that, and went SLOOOOW.