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Thread: Help... screw thats impossible to loosen..

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    Senior Member sawyen's Avatar
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    Help... screw thats impossible to loosen..

    As title.. its those 4 screws holding the core for an X1800XT.. impossible to remove...

    I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING except powertools..

    the phillips thread on the screw are almost gone...
    Me want Ultrabook


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    Quote Originally Posted by sawyen View Post
    As title.. its those 4 screws holding the core for an X1800XT.. impossible to remove...

    I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING except powertools..

    the phillips thread on the screw are almost gone...
    Do you mean the screws holding the cooler in place? I have an 1800XT & the 4 little ones on the plate were a nightmare to unscrew when I replaced the cooler.

    If it is I suppose one option is to carefully drill out the heads. This will leave the threads stuck in the little brass posts though & probably render the cooler useless.

    You could also try cutting a shallow slot across the screw & use a thin flat head screwdriver?

    I am glad I managed to get mine off though as there was about 20 times too much paste on there.....

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    Moderator chuckskull's Avatar
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    Ahh I was about to suggest a blow torch before i saw it was a GFX card.

    Powerdrill and screwdriver attachment on the lowest power setting should whack it out instantly.

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    awm
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    I'm not familar with the particular card, but with many computer screws they have a hex part around the outside which is much more reliable that the philips. Does it look like (forgive the ASCII art):
    __
    /_|_\
    \_|_/ ?

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    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
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    Because it has a fan on it, there is probably a little Loctite on the end of the screw so it doesn't loosen and fall out with vibrations.

    I don't know where the screws are on it, so this might not be easy, or it might damage the card. Place it on a hard steady surface (kitchen worktop is good) get a screw driver that fits snuggly but isn't too big. Press down with as much weight as you can and increase the pressure as you turn very gently.

    If the head is already partly stripped you don't want to use powertools. a lot of pressure and a decent screw driver should be it, one that is good in your hand and easy to get a hold of is best.

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    Formerly known as Viet Cong Zombi and tuone
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    maybe if the guy put it in the freezer? That sounds like a crazy idea!

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    Senior Member sawyen's Avatar
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    doesnt work.. ive tried everything.. every screw is off except 3 of these screws.. ARRGHH!
    Me want Ultrabook


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    Moderator chuckskull's Avatar
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    This is a tricky one, because screws can usually be loosened by heat. Try finding the biggest screwdriver you can that will fit the screws. You might need to push down very hard to undo them.

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    DR
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    run the card, make it warm then un do

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    I need a coffee jamena's Avatar
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    I second the "don't use powertools" suggestion - you'll probably just strip out the screwhead completely. Lots of pressure with a good-fitting screwdriver and turn very slowly. As said above you can cut a groove into the head and try using a flat-head screwdriver (again lots of pressure and turn very slowly to try avoid stripping any more off)

    I guess you cannot turn the thing the screws are screwed into? Does it screw directly into a heatsink or something?

  11. #11
    Flat cap, Whippets, Cave. Clunk's Avatar
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    penetrating oil, just a small drop. failing that, drill it out, the cooler will fall out of the other side and you should be left with a small amount of screw sticking out which you will be able to undo with pliers.
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    stupid betond belief.
    You owe it to yourself to click here really.

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    Senior Member sawyen's Avatar
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    ok.. left only one (after blistering my fingers, and chipping of my desk).. apparently when looking carefully.. the screw is already twisted originally.. i.e. the screw top is not perpendicular to the direction of screw.. slightly angled perhaps the screwed it far too hard during manufacturing?

    What to do now? I was thinking of wrenching it off using plyers.. but then the stock cooler will be rendered useless later as the broken screw left in the screw hole will be impossible to take out..
    Me want Ultrabook


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    Can you post a photo of it please? It'll be easier to suggest solutions if we can see it.

  14. #14
    I need a coffee jamena's Avatar
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    like Clunk said, you can try cutting the head off the last screw. With a bit of luck you will be able to use the remaining piece as a grip to get it out of the then-removed heatsink. Either way it sounds like you will need to find replacement screws for the heatsink. Certainly don't want to be trying to put the old damaged ones back!

    scary working with such expensive delicate equipemnt like this isn't it

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    Senior Member sawyen's Avatar
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    ok.. eventually used plyers to wrench the darn thing out.. now one of the screw hole is KIA.. I'll post piccies to show the carnage tomorrow..

    Now running the Accelero X2.. very happy with it.. runs 100% but I cant hear a thing..

    idles 40ish.. loads never pass 65C... I'm happy, my games are happy.. and my ears are even happier..

    The stock cooler is left there alone in the garage..
    Me want Ultrabook


  16. #16
    awm
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    Glad the hole is the only victim of the screws.

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