Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

I successfully upgraded from 4gb to 8gb BUT not all screws will go back in

J

jbrent89

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 19, 2008
59
0
So this is a Mid 2009 13" MBP

The 3 long screws will NOT go back in.. they only screw in the tip and stick out and will not go back in..

as well as the MIDDLE back 2 screws. in between the far left and right one.. they will not screw in at all!! they just fall right out..

the other screws are all in (so 5).. but this seems like an issue..

the RAM was installed fine though!!
 
Clockwise from top left.

Little, long, long, long, little, little, little, little, little, little.

Start with the short one in the top left, then opposite lower corner, upper left corner long then lower right corner. That way it will stay even.

This is all with the hinge facing away of course.
 
The long ones only screw in at the tip, and the long unthreaded part sticks out and won't go in..

so they arent screwing in fine.. Only the screws I mentioned screwed in.
 
jbrent89 said:
The long ones only screw in at the tip, and the long unthreaded part sticks out and won't go in..

so they arent screwing in fine.. Only the screws I mentioned screwed in.
Click to expand...

Well then they're in the wrong hole (that's what she said) - they will go in just fine if you're doing it right (that's what she said).

Sounds like you've got them in the wrong holes (that's what she said) as the big screws won't fit in the little holes (that's what she said).
 
Chundles said:
Well then they're in the wrong hole (that's what she said) - they will go in just fine if you're doing it right (that's what she said).

Sounds like you've got them in the wrong holes (that's what she said) as the big screws won't fit in the little holes (that's what she said).
Click to expand...

Its the one they came from.. promise. They just dont want to go back in..

I left every screw next to the hole they came from.. each Screw went into its EXACT spot it came from..

only NOW after I boxed the screws up they are all mixed together now.. but it doesnt seem like it mattered at that point..

The Long screws just go in until the thread stops then they wont "sink" or do anything.. and the 2 back screws (in the middle not the outer 2) just fall right out!!

How do the screws NOT work perfectly??
 
Its too late for this advice but when I disassemble my MBP, I put the screws aside in the order and location of where they came from . So the left most top screw will be left most at the top of the area I keep them. That way there's no question which screw goes in which hole.

I separate the internal screws similarly as well, if I need to dig deeper into my MPB

The long screws go in the middle holes near the hinge. Basically if the MBP is upside-down with the hinge facing away from you, then the long screws go in the holes at the top most holes, though the first left most corner screw near the hinge is small. chundles was correct in the order and placement.
 
Open her back up and make sure you didn't somehow dislodge something inside and make sure eveything is seated porperly. Your description of "The Long screws just go in until the thread stops then they wont "sink" or do anything.. and the 2 back screws (in the middle not the outer 2) just fall right out!! " means that something underneath the cover i.e. the internal screwholes, are not lined-up properly. You either did not replace an internal part properly or something got jostled out of place. There is nothing underneath for the screws to grab onto.

The cover is not on backwards, is it? That would certainly cause mis-alignment of the internal screwholes. Make sure, with the cover off, that you can see the screw holes in the same locations they are on the outer cover. You are somehow missing the connection to those inner screwholes.
 
HT1270_1a-mbp_13-remove_back_screws-001-en.png


Remove all screws. Remove back cover. Replace back cover taking care that it's sitting completely flush with the case. Replace screws using this diagram. They will not go in any other way, and if you keep trying to force them you'll crack the components underneath.
 
DePaulBlueDemon said:
Image

Remove all screws. Remove back cover. Replace back cover taking care that it's sitting completely flush with the case. Replace screws using this diagram. They will not go in any other way, and if you keep trying to force them you'll crack the components underneath.
Click to expand...

Looking at this diagram I can easily see how you might have replaced the cover backwards.
 
mstrze said:
Looking at this diagram I can easily see how you might have replaced the cover backwards.
Click to expand...

It's deceptive. There's a piece of plastic that sits down off the back side that would make it difficult that place it on backwards, though not impossible.

OP, those two screws in the back in the middle should be long screws, not short ones. Obviously you didn't get them back where they were originally, but with the diagram from a couple posts back here, you should be able to make it work. If not, take it to a professional.

jW
 
To make sure you've got the cover on in the right direction, the printing on it should be next to the hinge. Also if my I remember right the screws go in at an angle not straight down. Good luck.
 
DePaulBlueDemon said:
Image

Remove all screws. Remove back cover. Replace back cover taking care that it's sitting completely flush with the case. Replace screws using this diagram. They will not go in any other way, and if you keep trying to force them you'll crack the components underneath.
Click to expand...

and the short in the back and the two on the sides are different than the 4 in the front if you really look at them..
 
Well can people who have EVER even SEEN a Macbook Pro please reply??

First of all, you can't put it on "backwards".

Ok I will try ANGLING them but that the "back screws" or in that image "the 4 tiny front screws".. the 2 middle ones still fall out.. they sink in through the threads and then sink right back out when I turn the macbook over...

Secondly.. Imagine if I described that the other way.. the back screws for me are the "front" ones in that image.. sillys

Im telling you the screws will not go back in their OWN spot..

it isn't "you'r doing it wrong" because 5 out of 10 screws went in.. those were wrong or no?

I only operate in a field of logic not "forum wisdom"... there is no "doing it wrong" only "the screws wont go back in".

Im not dumb either.. I will try angling and report back.. hopefully that will get the long ones back in!!
 
Pics.

I spend all day upgrading RAM in these things, if the screws came out but won't go back in there are two options.

1. You're doing it wrong.
2. You broke something.

(That's what she said)
 
I've had issues with putting the screws back in on every Apple product I've unscrewed. I found that the screws on my unibody mpb actually go in at a slight angle, they went in fine that way.
 
jbrent89 said:
Well can people who have EVER even SEEN a Macbook Pro please reply??

First of all, you can't put it on "backwards".

Ok I will try ANGLING them but that the "back screws" or in that image "the 4 tiny front screws".. the 2 middle ones still fall out.. they sink in through the threads and then sink right back out when I turn the macbook over...

Secondly.. Imagine if I described that the other way.. the back screws for me are the "front" ones in that image.. sillys

Im telling you the screws will not go back in their OWN spot..

it isn't "you'r doing it wrong" because 5 out of 10 screws went in.. those were wrong or no?

I only operate in a field of logic not "forum wisdom"... there is no "doing it wrong" only "the screws wont go back in".

Im not dumb either.. I will try angling and report back.. hopefully that will get the long ones back in!!
Click to expand...

Screws and threading are standard, if they're not going back in in the correct hole, you're either doing it wrong or you messed up the threads, plain and simple.
 
jbrent89 said:
Well can people who have EVER even SEEN a Macbook Pro please reply??
it isn't "you'r doing it wrong" because 5 out of 10 screws went in.. those were wrong or no?
Click to expand...

Chundles said:
Pics.
1. You're doing it wrong.
2. You broke something.
Click to expand...

I hate to sound cold but the screws have to go back into the holes they came from. If they're not there can only be two alternatives as Chundles posted. You are doing it wrong, or you broke something. I've disassembled my MBP a number of times and Chundle's first post is dead on as to where the long screws go.

Also did you make sure the bottom pan is sitting squarely and flat on the mac? I also echo chundle's post. Snap a couple of pics and post them here for further help.
 
jbrent89 said:
I only operate in a field of logic not "forum wisdom"... there is no "doing it wrong" only "the screws wont go back in".
Click to expand...

Luke: All right, I'll give it a try.
Yoda: No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back