CPU heatsink - Problems with the screws

Hi guys!
First of all, i'm sorry that my English is so bad, which is something that will complicate my thread a lot, this time.

Anyway, moving on, a few years ago, when i was a bit younger, when i was a bit more stupid, when i used an electrical drill with a too big of an screw-head, just to save time when removing the screws in my Alienware, i managed to actually wear off the track in one of the screws that hold the CPU heatsink down, which means that i'm not able to unscrew the screw.

So, the problem is;
There is no track in one of the four screws that hold the CPU heatsink in place, and i was wondering about how on earth i could be able to drill / make an hole in that screw again, so that i can unscrew it?


The first thing that came me to mind, is to use an device like THIS;
http://www.dansdata.com/images/tools/dremel500.jpg
To drill / shape a flat-headed looking track into the screw, but what popped into my mind next, is the fact that this machine also makes an load of sparkles when used on metal. And now i'm wondering, this would probably damage my hardware, so how could i do this without damaging the alienware?

Or better said, is there any better solution for this problem?
cheers!

- Scott.

 

i had the same problem in my old MSI laptop, screw was stripped.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/587212-gx740-i5-920xm-upgrade-fail-help-2.html
So i was managed to take it out by,
Buy smallest drill bit, something like 0.5-1mm, drill a very small hole inside the screw center say... approx 2mm. Now, buy small flat screwdriver that will fit into this hole you just drilled out. If you cant get anything so small, get the smallest you can and pulverize it. Remember, you must pulverize it in order to get the end of screwdriver SHARPEST as possible and small enough to hammer it in the screw - GENTLY.

Here is the photo wich shows screw that i had to remove, drill bit i used, and screwdriver that was sharpened by using sand paper
http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...gx740-i5-920xm-upgrade-fail-help-p6200234.jpg
That's the way the cookie crumbles

GOOD LUCK MAN

 

That sucks! Wish I had a suggestion...I dunno though. As of right now, is it giving you trouble? IE is your CPU not seated correctly or are you getting wierd temp problems? If you are not, why mess with it? Are you upgrading the CPU?

 

My advise is to use a tool like this




it is the more indicated and actually the right one to remove a stuck screw.
You can purchase it at autozone/home deepot/ Do-it-yourself stores

Edit: it is called screw exctractor

 

^^
that's the one you need and can't fail with it.
Drill a small hole and screw the tool in, it screws anti-clockwise so the more you try to put it in it should take out the screw with it.

 

Cheers guys!
I'm not currently having temp-issues, i just want to get it solved, if i later plan to upgrade the CPU.. Always great to have this stuff in check, you know

Katalin and CptXabaras;
That would destroy the screw, right? I Wouldn't be able to use it again?

- Scott.

 

Yes, it will but it's already destroyed, right?

 

yes it will make it useless. To use it you shall drill a small hole in the head of the screw. Keep in mind that often just drilling the screw will release the pressure on it and allow it to be removed really easily with that tool

Edit: or exactly what Katalin told you.... talk about being late on answering a post..

 

Yes, Katalin.. but i mean, if i use the "dremel" as i think its called, i could drill a small track into it and use a flat headed screw-driver to both unscrew it and tighten it. This way, i wouldn't neet to get an repleacement screw, or actually, an replacement heatsink, as the screws are fasten onto the heatsink?

Or am i wrong?

- Scott.

 

Dude, its a screw. If you are so concerned about it and want to fix it, like now, why not fix it all the way and replace the screw with one thats good?

 

Legrunt;
As i said, isn't that screw fastened to the heatsink? Then its not just getting a replacement screw, is it?

Also, its not an regular screw, i guess it would be something that i'd had to get from Dell, which probably will NOT happen. (Because i've tried to order an fan from there twice without any result )


- Scott.