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    Need help for unscrewing too tight screw on HDD.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by smilodon, Jul 28, 2012.

  1. smilodon

    smilodon Notebook Enthusiast

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    I want to change HDD with my new 256G Crucial M4 SSD. Everything is ok until the last screw on HDD, I couldn't get it out.
    Anyone have any idea how to remove this small screw?

    Thanks for any advice.

    001.JPG
     
    smilodon, Jul 28, 2012
    #1
  2. Scharfschutzen

    Scharfschutzen Notebook Guru

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    looks like you stripped it, should of used the correct size screw, Try using a bigger screwdriver and apply a little more pressure down(not too much that you break your comp)
     
    Scharfschutzen, Jul 28, 2012
    #2
  3. pancakes1983

    pancakes1983 Notebook Guru

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    and if that doesnt work drill it out (lightly of course)
     
    pancakes1983, Jul 29, 2012
    #3
  4. mark_taba85

    mark_taba85 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Nice, looks like you were impatient and was rushing it. Before you start turning away you need to make sure you had good contact.

    Good tips by post#2!
     
    mark_taba85, Jul 29, 2012
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  5. dossdes

    dossdes Newbie

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    I did exactly the same thing with mine. They must use a really hefty electric screwdriver in the factory to do it up. In the end I took it to a local computer shop (an independant one ) and they removed them for me for free! They get a lot of people with dell machines in its the same issue
     
    dossdes, Jul 29, 2012
    #5
  6. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

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    Drill it out, or use an extractor. Use a pair of vise grip pliers and try to grab a hold of the head if you can and twist. Next time it might be worth it for you to pay dell, bestbuy or a local computer shop to do your upgrades. If you can't even match up the right size screwdriver to the right size screw...i can't imagine what you would do if you had to work on a car or a crucial task.

    [​IMG]
     
    faiz23, Jul 29, 2012
    #6
  7. the_psychologist

    the_psychologist Closed Duplicate Account

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    Its funny that you mention this - I have been a computer professional for a number of years, yet managed to strip the r2 mSATA screw. Nothing could move it, including extraction tools. I had to send it back to AW because there was another screw that was also feeling stuck. I swear to this day the mSATA screw had loctite on it, because I unscrewed the WIFI card and that screw definitely had blue loctite on it. Gremlins...
     
    the_psychologist, Jul 30, 2012
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  8. GIJoeMyGoodness

    GIJoeMyGoodness Notebook Geek

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    What everyone said up top is correct. It looks like you will end up drilling it out unfortunately, but try to avoid that as much as possible.

    In case you haven't already, with future laptop modifications I would have a screwdriver bit set for small screws. I have about 15 or so bits that could get the screw out on my laptop, but one of them has an incredible bite and prevented me from damaging anything. I've done 3 tear-downs on 3 different M14s without any screws sticking. That includes mobo and chassis screws. Good luck!
     
    GIJoeMyGoodness, Jul 30, 2012
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  9. dossdes

    dossdes Newbie

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    Yes, now you mention it my hdd screws had blue stuff on it too. Never had this issue with other AW machines so perhaps it's a new addition to their process??
     
    dossdes, Jul 31, 2012
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  10. smilodon

    smilodon Notebook Enthusiast

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    thank you all. Actually it's not stripped, it is just too tight and the screedriver's handle is too small to apply strength on it.
    I cann't not make it turn.
    I am sure I use the right size tool to do the job and I have been upgraded 4 laptops before.
    This is the first time happen to me.

    And I found a way to take it off yesterday. I still use the same size screedriver, I use one hand push it down to engage the notch, and on another hand, I use a vise grip to turn the handle, and then finally it loosen up.
     
    smilodon, Jul 31, 2012
    #10