Laptop Stripped Screw ?????

[TenOC]

A number months ago I purchased an older HP EliteBook 8770w laptop computer. I would now like to upgrade the hard drive; however, I find that the security screw necessary to remove the back of the laptop is stripped. I am considering two options. I could epoxy or otherwise glue the appropriate small Philip’s screwdriver bit in the stripped screw head or I could attempt to drill out the screw. Drilling runs the risk of damaging something on the other side of the screw while epoxy may not be strong enough to remove the screw.

Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome



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[Sjm9911]

Did you try a rubber band over the tip of the screwdriver? Or is it to far gone? You might need a small rubber band depending on the screw size. Next step would be epoxy or cutting a slot as stated, last drill it out. Good luck.

[pianotuna]

Gdetrailer wrote:

K Charles wrote:
The object of a left hand drill bit, if used right and you are lucky, is to catch and then unscrew the screw.

I have worked on HP laptops, there is ZERO chance ANY "lefthand drill bit" is going to catch enough material with out doing collateral damage to said laptop.

1/32 in. High Speed Steel Left Hand Drill Bit (12-Pack)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drill-America-1-32-in-High-Speed-Steel-Left-Hand-Drill-Bit-12-Pack-DWDLH...

[wa8yxm]

Once you have the head off if you take off JUST the head. Then pull the drive. Then grip what's left of the screw with pliers and twist it out.

Or forget it. when you put the new drive in.

Just pulled a drive from an old dead toshiba. said drive is no encased beside my new HP renamed "old Tosh" it's my archival drive and has lots and lots of space.

[fj12ryder]

If you can drill the head off the screw, then use a left hand drill bit. They really don't work any differently than a right hand drill bit, but there is an excellent chance they will unscrew the fastener while trying to drill off the head.

Haven't come across too much thread locker that is stronger than a drill bit. Must be some super special stuff.

[Gdetrailer]

K Charles wrote:
The object of a left hand drill bit, if used right and you are lucky, is to catch and then unscrew the screw.

I have worked on HP laptops, there is ZERO chance ANY "lefthand drill bit" is going to catch enough material with out doing collateral damage to said laptop..

We are talking a very TINY SCREW here, not a manifold bolt on a vehicle. That screw is also held in by blue thread locker making the chances of breaking off the harder drill bit pretty darn good.

That TINY little screw is countersunk into the plastic with nothing protruding above the plastic to grab so pliers, cutters can't get anywhere near gripping the head.

It has been a while since I worked on a HP laptop( and glad of it, they are a PITA) so I can't remember if the access panel slides off or if it pulls straight up.. If it pulls straight up, removing just the screw head by drilling the head off is the quickest, safest way.

Personally, OP should take it to a PC shop and pay to have them remove the screw before more collateral damage is done in the process, PC shop will have better screw drivers that don't strip screw heads, heck, they may even have to apply heat to the screw to loosen the thread locker.

[IB853347201]

Get a portable hard drive that plugs into the USB and call it a day.

[BobsYourUncle]

SteveB wrote:
If you have a dremel tool you could cut a slot in the head and take it out with a flat blade screwdriver.

This ^^^
I have done this myself to extract stripped out screws.
Very very carefully cut a slot into the screw head. You will need a very fine cutting bit on a dremel and a steady hand so it doesn't walk all over the place.
And a small shop vac to get all the filings out. Use painters masking tape to cover over any vents, slots etc that go into the back of the computer. You don't want even a spec of this inside. Take the battery off first.

[wa8yxm]

Ranger Smith wrote:
Usually you can get the edge of a razor blade under the screw and lift the screw while unscrewing it.

or a very sharp knife.. Done that many times

[fj12ryder]

^^^^^^^^Exactly, that's the purpose of a left hand drill bit. More often than not it will unscrew the offending bolt.

[K_Charles]

The object of a left hand drill bit, if used right and you are lucky, is to catch and then unscrew the screw.

[Gdetrailer]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Get a reverse thread drill if other methods don't work.

Drilling may really be the only alternative to the problem.

The drillings which are going to be difficult to keep contained.

Don't need to be a reverse bit though, just need a drill bit just large enough to drill the head off. Think of it like drilling out a pop rivet. You can leave the threaded portion of the screw in place as the cover should go right past that. The screw head is countersunk and no way to grab with pliers or cutters.

Laptop manufacturers use Blue Thread locker and removal of the screws requires the use of a good quality precision screw driver set.. Round off the screw and you are now in a bind.

Krazy glue might have worked if there was some portion left of the head that wasn't rounded off but if smooth, nothing there for the glue to really hold on to.

[K_Charles]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Get a reverse thread drill if other methods don't work.

This and use a hand driver not a drill.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Get a reverse thread drill if other methods don't work.

[SteveB]

If you have a dremel tool you could cut a slot in the head and take it out with a flat blade screwdriver.