Stripped screw on laptop HDD panel

[jnelsoninjax]

I bought the missing HDD rails for my wife's laptop, but I just tried to open the HDD panel and one of the screws is stripped. I can not get a screwdriver on it. What should I do about that?

[Detection]

Superglue the end of a screwdriver to it (Make sure it is 100% dry before trying to turn)

Solder might work too

[Kami-]

Superglue the end of a screwdriver to it (Make sure it is 100% dry before trying to turn)

Solder might work too

If it's in tight that might not work as the force required to turn the screw may be more than the force required to break the glue/solder :p

[Crisp]

If you have a junior hacksaw and a steady hand you could try and make a flat head screw, of if you can get grip use pliers to try and turn the screw head itself.

[techbeck]

If you have a junior hacksaw and a steady hand you could try and make a flat head screw, of if you can get grip use pliers to try and turn the screw head itself.

A file or dremel tool will work as well to create a flat head.

And if you are careful, can always drill out the screw.

[Joseph B]

Take a wide rubber-band, place it under the screwdriver head, and unscrew the screw with a little bit of force. Usually works for me.

[xendrome]

Google "Screw Extractor"

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

You can buy toolsets which are designed to remove stripped or damaged screws if all else fails.

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

I read on LifeHacker abiut putting a rubberband across the head, then trying the crewdriver on the rubberband.

Havent gotten it to work yet, ut might be because iv only had old rubberbands

[Pam14160]

See in you can find an "easy out" screw remover, and yes there are such things. Never used one that small, but they are out there.

[jnelsoninjax]

I ended up having to drill it out, turned out that it not only was stripped, but the wrong screw!

[Raa]

Worst comes to worst, just drill the screw head off. You won't be able to use that screw hole again, but that may/may not be an issue for you.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

It sounds like you have solved the problem, but another thing to try is needle-nose pliers to grasp the screwhead on opposite sides and rotate until it is loose enough to remove using other means (e.g., a screwdriver).

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[Albert]

most superglue are acidic. just so you know. make sure you read the spec.