XPS 15 L502X - Stripped Screw Head Under Battery

So I was all ready to open up my XPS 15 L502X to get to the primary hard drive bay when I stripped the screw under the battery that needs to be removed to get the palm rest off. The screw is recessed a bit (see picture attached) so a dremel isn't an option. Would appreciate all suggestions/ideas ...

 

Looks pretty stripped...

I don't know of a preferred method, but some super glue on the end of a cheap screwdriver (or something else suitable) would bond the two and allow for removal. You will probably want to buy a new screw anyways.

 

Yes, I was thinking about that. Are these the type of screws available at a hardware store or should I be looking online (assuming I get this screw out)?

 

I would be surprised if Dell used some obscure thread/screw size.

I don't shop for screws often... hehe... so I don't know if most hardware stores sell small screws that are usually reserved for electronics. Perhaps something like the Source (electronic store) would sell them too. They have that kind of stuff.

I also just remembered something I read a long time ago. It might not work with such a tiny screw, but one common suggestion is to take a rubber band and place it in between the screwdriver and the screw. The rubber "fills the gaps" and gives it added friction. You might be able to get the screw out this way.... but then again... this method is usually for larger screws.

 

I was once faced with the exact same problem there and managed to remove the stripped screw using a large screw driver. What I did was to use a large Phillips screw driver and applying lots of pressure on it while turning it very slowly... The problem of stripped screw should be blamed equally on miniature screwdrivers commonly used for electronics, since their tip is often too small and their handle is too hard to hold in place and apply the right pressure, resulting in stripping... Give it a try!

 

I can only recommend the above methods. Using a large phillips with pressure has worked for me in the past. But i nearly stripped a screw getting the spare caddy out of the hdd bay, its still ok but dell done the screws up so tight when they only need to be nipped up.

 

Have you tried a small flat head screwdriver, sometimes they can get enough grip to remove the screw, just press down hard, but not too hard.

 

Sam, I stripped one of my caddy screws completely. I ended up using a pair of narrow-tipped vise-grip pliers to break it free, then I could get it out with a phillips screw driver and a bit of pressure. Dell over-tightens them for sure.

 

Really? Unbelievable how tight they do them up. Oh and i had to actually drill one of the caddy screw holes out just to get all 4 screws into my ssd to secure it, and even then it was a bit tight.

 

I have had it in the exact same spot on my previous xps14 and few other places, managed to get them off with force and different screw drivers.

Now the screw holding the ODD in my xps 15 has stripped even worse, the head is a perfect circle now instead of a cross, can't get it off whatsoever. I plan on getting a screw extractor and try my luck. This is the one I'm looking for, some reviews says they have removed stripped screws in their laptop/netbook with the tool.

And yes, manufactures tend to over tighten the screws for some obvious reasons, can't really blame them.

 

It's important to have a good fit when removing these. I have one of those cheapo mini screwdriver sets, but the phillips tip on the correct size was a bit worn. I was anxious to get started, but I forced myself to go out and get a decent set of five phillips only mini screwdrivers from Radio Shack. Probably saved my self a lot of grief. I have the ideal set at work, but it was too far away; Harbour Freight has a set of mini slotted, phillips, torx, and hex drive tips and a handle to put them in for just a few bucks. The tips seem very hard, I've yet to damage one. If anyone is interested, at the time I bought them 5-6 years ago, they were packaged in a flat orange tray with a clear hinged lid, with a place to store each tip.

 

Even good tips seem to matter little, I have the perfect-fitting set and look what happened. It was seriously torqued down, as were a few others, even with a solid non-slipping grip it took a lot of effort to break some free. I was amazed, I think there are bolts on my car tightened to less torque...

 

I also faced the same problem when removing the LCD from its bracket. My top tip is wrapping a screw driver in a tea towel for extra grip and torque.