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Technician stripped a screw

post #1 of 11
8/28/06 at 2:53pm
Thread Starter 
well, i popped of the hinge cover to check the screws and one of my keybaord screws is stripped like hell, what do i do!! I tried to get it out but had no luck
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post #2 of 11
8/28/06 at 4:28pm
Tried talking to Dell? That would be the obvious answer...

If that fails then there are a variety of methods, such as drilling off the head of the screw then removing the rest once you have removed the cover and can get at it with a pair of pliers.
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post #3 of 11
8/28/06 at 10:57pm
I as try to write this the THIRD stinkin' time - I keep losing everything I write and that SUCKS!

Anyway, I have extra screws for you if you interested. I ordered some when I changed my CPU (770 to 780) and I have left overs that are your in you want them. PM me and give your address, phone number and such so I can mail them first class to you. Also, add the exact screws you need because I paid $50 dollars and the damn dothead screwed up the screws.

Let me know and I'll be glad to send them to you!

Jim
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post #4 of 11
8/28/06 at 11:52pm
Thread Starter 
ill definately think about it, first i have to go about trying to remove the screw already in there ^_^
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post #5 of 11
8/29/06 at 12:15am
I ran into this problem a while ago. The screw I had was pretty stripped, I mistook it for a screw hole.

I went to Sears, bought a new screw phillips driver of the right size (don't remember it). I lined up the cross with the way it should be, and wedged the screw driver in. The metal is malleble (sp), so you should be able to dig in a new cross. So I kept the tip of the screw where it should have been, and moved my hand back and forth, "cutting" in a new hole vertically. Then I did the same horizontally. Twisted, and the screw came loose. You could also try cutting in a new gap with a flat head, or at least Sears tells me.

G'luck, and I'm not responsible for your actions .
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post #6 of 11
8/29/06 at 4:18am
There's a VERY risky method involving super glue in the divot and using that to get the screw out.

But I don't think I have to expound much on the dangers of super glue and critical parts.
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post #7 of 11
8/29/06 at 4:52am
you could always spot weld a small screwdriver to it with a teeny welder..

... oh that would be a sight tho-

But anyway, I got one to come loose that wasnt countersunk (i even think it was the keyboard screw too) by using a pair of fingernail clippers. With the right size cutters, the screw head will fit in between the blades allowing you to compress the blades to the sides of the head tight enough to start turning it. Be careful, keep physics in mind, and I take no responsibility, tho' it worked pretty easy for me.

... oh and you will need to replace the screw because the metal is mallable and will distort due to the pressure needed to remove it. And duh, it's stripped... lol...

-whack
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post #8 of 11
8/29/06 at 10:33am
Thread Starter 
may I ask why dell makes their screws so moldable? lol.... wouldnt it be smarter if they just made the screws of a very tough and sturdy material?
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post #9 of 11
8/29/06 at 12:00pm
I think it is more the case of people using the wrong size screwdriver (quite common) with too much force and even in the wrong direction...
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post #10 of 11
8/29/06 at 12:15pm
As Destruya said -in the past I've used epoxy resin (Araldite etc) and a cheap phillips electrical screwdriver. Super glue wont bond to metal very well. Mix the epoxy and dip the screw driver. Attatch it to the stripped screw and leave to set. You should, if careful, be able to remove it. Sucess very much depends on how tight the screw is and whether you didn't epoxy the screw to its hole (god forbid!). It's worked for me in the past, though admittedly not on a lappy. This should be a last resort, I'd let Dell sort it out.
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post #11 of 11
8/29/06 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkid
As Destruya said -in the past I've used epoxy resin (Araldite etc) and a cheap phillips electrical screwdriver. Super glue wont bond to metal very well. Mix the epoxy and dip the screw driver. Attatch it to the stripped screw and leave to set. You should, if careful, be able to remove it. Sucess very much depends on how tight the screw is and whether you didn't epoxy the screw to its hole (god forbid!). It's worked for me in the past, though admittedly not on a lappy. This should be a last resort, I'd let Dell sort it out.



Suprglue will lead to tears. Get a cheap screwdriver and a DAB of epoxy, just a DAB mind you. Prop it up so it can stay motionless for the reccomended drying time. Remove the screw, slowly with even pressure. Make sure you have the correct size driver for the new screw. If it's cross-threaded as well, work it down slowly, then back out, repeat 2-3 times. If there are shavings/cuttings from the old screw/threads you want to get those out.

Oh yea, as my mother would tell you, I have never been a responseable person. Use your head, and whatever you do, go slow.

HtH
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