Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Can't budge laptop screws :(

  1. #1
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Dismantling 2 identical laptops [to exchange parts] and had no problem with one set of 4 phillips switch cover screws "PM2.0×2.0" but the 2nd lot, absolutely no go. Obviously they may just have been put in far tighter than the first lot but although they're identical the same screwdriver seems to not even feel like such a good fit before you even start attempting to turn.. illogically. Any point at all in acquiring new/better screwdrivers (I'm not all that well off in that line, which I should be) or do I just have to assume it'll be a more challenging removal job regardless of kit? Ta much if you can help.
    Last edited by sammyc; 24-11-2016 at 09:42 PM.
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

  2. #2
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Decent screwdrivers are a must otherwise you run the real risk of destroying the thread on the screwheads.

  3. #3
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Is that likely to be the answer as to why 1 set of screws would be so much harder than t'other though? I mean, if I shifted 1 set no bother with the basic-but-did-the-job driver I have, I could just end up buying what is essentially the same driver and find that's not the problem?
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

  4. #4
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    You might want to check if the screwdriver head is worn.

  5. Received thanks from:

    sammyc (20-11-2016)

  6. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    295
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    15 times in 15 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Sometimes trying to tighten them a tiny bit before loosening them can help to get them moving. I've also used a hair dryer to warm the area a little bit before having another go.
    Humans, the only animal stupid enough to pay to live on the planet Earth.

  7. Received thanks from:

    sammyc (20-11-2016)

  8. #6
    Spreadie
    Guest

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Are they the same screws? I've had two identical laptops and one had torx screw heads.

    Also, if one hasn't been opened before, the thread lock on the screws (usually a blue or red colour on the screw threads) will be intact - making them harder to remove; especially with a worn screw driver.

  9. Received thanks from:

    sammyc (20-11-2016)

  10. #7
    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Derby
    Posts
    10,872
    Thanks
    632
    Thanked
    1,192 times in 945 posts
    • GoNz0's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage V Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 something X99 based
      • Memory:
      • 16gb GSkill
      • Storage:
      • 4 SSD's + WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX980 Strix WC
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Galaxy 1250 (9 years and counting)
      • Case:
      • Corsair 900D
      • Operating System:
      • win10 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24"
      • Internet:
      • 220mb Cable

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Ones been opened before so it is easy to do again, the other may well have the original thread locker in place or some mild corrosion. I never open a laptop without a wera screwdriver in my hand.

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
    off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

  11. Received thanks from:

    sammyc (20-11-2016)

  12. #8
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Quote Originally Posted by Spreadie View Post
    Are they the same screws? I've had two identical laptops and one had torx screw heads.

    Also, if one hasn't been opened before, the thread lock on the screws (usually a blue or red colour on the screw threads) will be intact - making them harder to remove; especially with a worn screw driver.
    They are identical screws (I couldn't show my face in Hexus after nearly a decade if I were trying to remove a torx with a phillips driver). As 'never opened & therefore still with thread lock' is yours & GoNz0's common theory I will lean toward that & hope it's the reason my current screwdriver worked well & therefore just gave the impression of being a better fit for the screwhead.

    Quote Originally Posted by GoNz0 View Post
    I never open a laptop without a wera screwdriver in my hand.
    Pleased to hear it - being as that's the brand I ordered, earlier today. Should be here Tuesday (so will expect RM to manage to bring them by Friday ) & we'll see.

    Cheers guys.
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

  13. #9
    Studmuffin Flibb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    4,904
    Thanks
    31
    Thanked
    324 times in 277 posts
    • Flibb's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3
      • CPU:
      • AMD FX-6300
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3 PC3-12800
      • Storage:
      • Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250G
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 3GB MSI Radeon HD 7950 Twin Frozr
      • PSU:
      • FSP
      • Operating System:
      • Win7 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Deffl TFT thing

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Options are that one might have been taken apart before, different amounts of thread lock (if applied) used, different people assembling them, wrong torq setting used on one of them, etc.

  14. Received thanks from:

    sammyc (24-11-2016)

  15. #10
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Rec'd screwdrivers this a.m. (so just the 2 days over estimate, but no matter) - success

    Didin't have time to proceed with the dismantle but at least I'm back in business, as far as it goes. My Wera screwdriver will never leave my side. Tools for the job indeed.

    Thanks again & just a general point that goes for any of my slightly-basic-searchable queries, I DO search & take a general sweep of what's out there, but I do like to consult here as I trust y'all more than I do my ability to pick the bones out of a webful of mixed advice. Anyone troubling to reply, it's always highly appreciated.
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

  16. Received thanks from:

    GoNz0 (25-11-2016)

  17. #11
    Cul-de-Sachian sybrows's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Brighthelm
    Posts
    841
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked
    7 times in 7 posts
    • sybrows's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P55-GD65
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 750 @ 3.8+Corsair H50
      • Memory:
      • 8 gig Crucial XMS 3 DDR3 1600
      • Storage:
      • 1X2tb WD Green
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 670 FTW edition
      • PSU:
      • Akasa 500 Watt
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Stacker 8100
      • Operating System:
      • Win 8.1 Pro 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Iiyama LED LCD
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 75MB

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Quote Originally Posted by sammyc View Post
    Rec'd screwdrivers this a.m. (so just the 2 days over estimate, but no matter) - success

    Didin't have time to proceed with the dismantle but at least I'm back in business, as far as it goes. My Wera screwdriver will never leave my side. Tools for the job indeed.

    Thanks again & just a general point that goes for any of my slightly-basic-searchable queries, I DO search & take a general sweep of what's out there, but I do like to consult here as I trust y'all more than I do my ability to pick the bones out of a webful of mixed advice. Anyone troubling to reply, it's always highly appreciated.
    I have a similar issue and need a new set of screwdrivers anyway. Which kit did you go with mate ?

    BrOws

    Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

  18. #12
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    As research time was a bit of an issue I just went with individual Wera phillips driver (Kraftform 2050 micro in the size required: tip 0, blade size 60 to deal with these http://www.laptopscrews.com/M2x2.htm) and picked up the either-side size 00 & 1 while I was there for good measure, so I may just add singly to these - but a basic kit seems a good buy (in my novice opinion) & would've been cheaper. At a quick look the 6 or 12 piece set just have the 00 & 0 phillips so it depends what you're going to use most, whether that would do you or you'd rather bespoke your selection.
    Last edited by sammyc; 25-11-2016 at 04:21 PM.
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

  19. #13
    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Derby
    Posts
    10,872
    Thanks
    632
    Thanked
    1,192 times in 945 posts
    • GoNz0's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage V Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 something X99 based
      • Memory:
      • 16gb GSkill
      • Storage:
      • 4 SSD's + WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX980 Strix WC
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Galaxy 1250 (9 years and counting)
      • Case:
      • Corsair 900D
      • Operating System:
      • win10 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24"
      • Internet:
      • 220mb Cable

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    I have the 12 piece micro set with the addition of the TX7 Torq B0 for a specific anti tamper screw on some Toshiba laptops.

    I don't think I have had to search for one out the old draper security set since when working on laptops.

    They made short work of Rob_B's laptop last night

    I also own the larger set Kraftform Kompakt 62 and smaller set I picked up cheap Kompact 60 set so I had another handle and thinner flat blade.

    Never damaged one and I have used a few with my impact driver without damage but I tent to stick to the magnetic Impaktor bits and holder for that.

    Yes I love wera tools....

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
    off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

  20. #14
    Ghost of Hexus Present sammyc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3,320
    Thanks
    782
    Thanked
    494 times in 394 posts

    Re: Can't budge laptop screws :(

    Thanks to the aforementioned success I have now transplanted the display assembly of one laptop onto another, and can mercifully stop using my only current fallback (other old laptop with dead backlight and monitor from my even older pc). Happy days, and hopefully a couple of minor hexus quest points for tech effort.
    Aliorum vitia turbaverunt me

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •