The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    how to open a striped screw?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Mack1982, Mar 23, 2008.

  1. Mack1982

    Mack1982 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My just received my notebook which I had RMAed for repair. I tried to open the back side of the notebook, but it seems that one of the screws is striped. Does anyone know how to open such a screw?
     
    Mack1982, Mar 23, 2008
    #1
  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

    Reputations:
    4,412
    Messages:
    8,077
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Are you going to put that faster Turion in your laptop?

    Usually you can get the screw out by jamming a flat head screwdriver into the head of the screw.
    You could try freezing the screw with some dry ice. The screw should shrink because of thermal expansion. Then you should be able to get the screw out.

    I have been able to get some screws out with the knofe of my pocketknife. I just score the head so that I can get a line across it big enough for my screwdriver to fit in. and then I go to remove the screw.
    You could also do this if you have a dremel, with an engraver bit.
    You will be able to cut a line across the head of the screw.
    The vibrations from the engraver would probably loosen the screw. Just make sure to remove the harddrive before using power tools. Vibrations are bad for harddrives.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Mar 23, 2008
    #2
  3. Mack1982

    Mack1982 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Sound's complicated, let see maybe I can RMA it again,.. ;) and let them do it.
     
    Mack1982, Mar 23, 2008
    #3
  4. Jayjubear

    Jayjubear Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    A last resort option is to sacrifice you worst screw driver by putting a little JB weld on the tip and letting it set up in the srew head.
     
    Jayjubear, Mar 23, 2008
    #4
  5. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You might want to look into a product similar to Mastercraft's Grabit screw remover (link). I own one and it works very well...it all depends if this drill bit will fit into the opening to your stripped screw, because I know on some laptops the screws are recessed quite a bit.
     
    _Webster_, Mar 24, 2008
    #5