Trouble removing screws in powerbook RAM compartment

[noisy_cats]

Has anyone got any tips/advice for removing a stubborn (and now slightly mangled) screw in the RAM access panel on a powerbook G4?

Thanks in advance!

noisy_cats

 

[calyxman]

Has anyone got any tips/advice for removing a stubborn (and now slightly mangled) screw in the RAM access panel on a powerbook G4?

Thanks in advance!

noisy_cats

Do you mean stripping the head of the screw? And I'm assuming its a phillips screw? If so, it was probably caused by using to small of a screw driver. What I would suggest is using a Phillips screwdriver thats a notch bigger in size and see if it fits in the grooves, then apply a little pressure and turn. You may want to hold the screw driver in certain angles and turn to see if the screw turns also. The same would apply to removing a torx screw.

If it doesn't want to budge after all attempts, then you'll simply have to drill it out.

 

[WinterMute]

It's an odd one that screw size, it's "0" Philips or somesuch.

I used the big knife-blade on my Swiss army knife and was very careful, they came out OK.

 

[Applespider]

If you have, or can buy, one of those Swiss Army cards (the ones that look like a credit card but have useful things inside), there's a 00 Philips screwdriver in it that's perfect for the job...

 

[witness]

You do have to be really careful with those screws, they're very small. And when you put it back together again, make sure that the cover is down securely. I didn't have cover panel seated correctly when I first changed my ram and the battery wouldn’t sit flush because of it.

 

[russed]

Just whatever you do, do not make it any worse than it may currently be - i.e. do not strip the head of it becuase i wouldnt like the job of having to drill it out!!

 

[briangig]

FYI, the philips head screwdriver on a Leathermac Squirt also works.

 

[dcv]

I am having trouble with this. I have a lovely 1GB stick of RAM from Crucial still sitting in its cardboard box because I can't get the screws undone

I bought some cheapo precision screwdriver set from Maplin. The #0 philips one seems to be too big (so i guess i must need the 00 size) and the only one of the flat-head screwdrivers that fits is the 1.4mm one, which actually seems a little small but the next size up is too big. I can't seem to get enough torque with it and i'm soooooo worried that it will slip and scratch the hell out of the bottom of my precious PowerBook!

so where else can i get a cheap philips #00 from? i don't want to buy a swiss army knife/multi-tool thing as i have no other need for one. i suppose i'll have to see if they have any alternatives in maplin, but can you think of any other retail stores that may have one? b&q??? doesn't seem worth buying one on the web and paying more delivery charges than the thing is worth.

 

[Applespider]

so where else can i get a cheap philips #00 from? i don't want to buy a swiss army knife/multi-tool thing as i have no other need for one. i suppose i'll have to see if they have any alternatives in maplin, but can you think of any other retail stores that may have one? b&q???

Electronics shops are probably your best bet. I got mine in Frys in the US. Depending on where in London you are and how long you need it for, I could lend you mine. Only trouble comes if you ever need to take that 1GB RAM stick back out before sending it off for Applecare etc

 

[iMeowbot]

Just whatever you do, do not make it any worse than it may currently be - i.e. do not strip the head of it becuase i wouldnt like the job of having to drill it out!!

If that happens, a nice way to deal is to get an itty bitty Dremel disc and cut in a slot, so it can be turned out with a flat blade.

 

[lopresmb]

if you can't get it, stop by a jewlers.

I was taking some timy screws out of an iBook and stripped the crap out of it (which is really frustrating). I have a firend who is a jewler in my town and I took it to him, and he got it out no big deal. They deal with tiny stuff like that all the time, and have the tools for it.

just be gentle with them, they are relatively easy to strip.

 

[dcv]

Electronics shops are probably your best bet. I got mine in Frys in the US. Depending on where in London you are and how long you need it for, I could lend you mine. Only trouble comes if you ever need to take that 1GB RAM stick back out before sending it off for Applecare etc

Awww thank you that's very kind of you! (I'm in west london btw) But actually the jewellers suggestion that someone else made is a good idea, perhaps i'll just take it down to the local shops with me, or i will try maplin again to see if they have another set.

Hmmm that thing about AppleCare - would you advise that I keep the 256MB stick that I take out then? I was going to try to sell it maybe here or on ebay, although probably wouldn't get much for it anyway.

 

[Applespider]

Hmmm that thing about AppleCare - would you advise that I keep the 256MB stick that I take out then? I was going to try to sell it maybe here or on ebay, although probably wouldn't get much for it anyway.

I kept mine since I guessed I might only get £10 to £15 for it and at least should my 1GB stick fail at some point, I can get back to 512MB immediately rather than struggle with 256MB for a few days.

I'd also read reports (on the Apple boards) of people sending hardware back to Apple for support (where a problem is intermittent etc) with mixed RAM and it being returned with the third party RAM in a bag saying that was the problem - even when the Mac was promptly turned back on, sans 3rd party RAM, and the problem happened again immediately.

 

[dcv]

Thanks for the advice, I think you're right, I wouldn't get much for it so probably safest to keep it, just in case anything happens to my beloved silver box of tricks!