Laptop screw stuck

[joydivision]

I need to get a scew out of this laptop, it keeps freezing and I suspect its faulty RAM. Some plonk has put the wrong screws in everywhere and one of them won't shift.

Anything I can try before I start drilling it out? I've tried using a straight screw driver etc with no luck. The screw is recessed so there is no way of gripping the head other than using a screwdriver

 

[Mr I]

Drilling seems the only option.
Have you seen this screw extractor ?

 

[coffee]

I have had success with a small star driver. Sometimes they will grip it and get it out. Otherwise you want to take a drill bit that will take off the head of the screw and then when you get it opened up take a pair of pliers and remove it by force.

Good luck

 

[PaulRome]

I have gotten some out by placing a rubber band over the screw to get some extra traction.

 

[Mr I]

I have gotten some out by placing a rubber band over the screw to get some extra traction.

I thought that was a myth. I have tried it several times but never succeeded.

 

[joydivision]

I can't get to the screw its buried deep, you know what I mean .;

Already tried the star screw drivers etc. I am a bit nervous about taking a big drill to a laptop, never done it before.

 

[Mr I]

never done it before.

There's always a first time, that's how you learned opening laptops, don't you? Practice with a broken laptop (if you have one)

 

[joydivision]

Drilled it out, but its not the RAM causing it

Just testing the HD now, I hope it is not that, as I already have another one of his laptops on my desk needing a new HD, waiting for HP to send the CDs for it.

Seems to be BSOD on a completly different thing each time, so it is looking like it may be a motherboard fault.

 

[katz]

Drilled it out, but its not the RAM causing it

Just testing the HD now, I hope it is not that, as I already have another one of his laptops on my desk needing a new HD, waiting for HP to send the CDs for it.

Seems to be BSOD on a completly different thing each time, so it is looking like it may be a motherboard fault.

Run Linux Mint/other live cd & see how things go; If that is successful, I would suspect the hd.

I had a recent laptop that was giving different blue screens randomly - diagnosis - bad hard drive. Replaced and all is good.

EDIT - test the CMOS batt voltage - I've seen low voltage cause strange errors...

 

[joydivision]

I will check that, doubt it is the HD as even the BIOS is acting oddly, and I can't even get any CD to boot.

 

[TLE]

I will check that, doubt it is the HD as even the BIOS is acting oddly, and I can't even get any CD to boot.

Try an external DVD drive to eliminate the internal DVD drive.

 

[coffee]

concerning the screw that is stuck:

Take a small cheap screw driver and a file. File it down to "Fit" a similar type screw. Use it to get it out.

OTHERWISE:

Look into getting a set of "Easy Outs" These are basically reverse thread screws in the fashion of a drill bit. Very easy to use but dont use them in a drill. Do it by hand.

http://www.toolprice.com/category/screwextractors/

This is what you get the big bucks for!

 

[kevinjhaag]

Looks like you got the screw out already. But I also use a screw extractor. They work great. These Grabit screw extractors are excellent. Better than other screw extractors I have tried to use. At least you know how to take care of it now.