What about acid? That might work. Another serious option that can work on a damaged screw is a carefully placed centre punch and a hamer to work it lose. Not sure this would work here though. How about posting a picture?
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What about acid? That might work. Another serious option that can work on a damaged screw is a carefully placed centre punch and a hamer to work it lose. Not sure this would work here though. How about posting a picture?
Perhaps; but why take a chance? I prefer to err on the side of caution with something like this.
Just in case anyone is wondering, this suggestion is the correct solution.
If you don't like the option linked, look for any set of optical screwdrivers that includes an extractor. It's still not easy, and you'll have to dig at it to get traction, but most of the time they work well.
If it doesn't work, the suggestion to ask a watch repair shop to extract it isn't a bad idea.
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How prevalent is this particular stuck screw? It seems that a lot of people have problems with the very same screw. I was planning on replacing the ODD with another SSD (I've already replaced the HDD), but I don't want to damage a brand new MBP. Has anyone actually removed this screw without damaging it?
Don't be silly - it's just about the best combination a man can come up with!
Glad you liked the chainsaw idea OP! Perhaps the most useful tool for an electronics devicesecond to that, I've personally had great experience removing tiny screws with a pneumatic hammer drill.
Could we get a photo of the damage, anyway?
The original damage would be difficult to photograph, given its tiny scale and the hue of the recessed screw (black).
Picture a tiny black screw with a worn pit in its head where the crosshairs of a phillips screwdriver receptacle should be.
...unless this was a request for the after picture utilizing the various macro-solutions suggested above.
Also, I assume this wouldn't be covered by AppleCare, but if I'm wrong, please advise.
Fair enough. No I didn't mean photos of taking a chainsaw to the computer but please do take some if you ever fancy it haha
Not sure apple care will cover it because the ODD is considered a non user replaceable part (and voids the warranty if changed). Even if you could convince them you didn't damage it yourself, they may not be willing to to do anything since really it shouldn't affect you.
Correct AppleCare wont touch this unless you are very lucky. FYI Apple use a thread locking compound a little heat goes a long way to help release the locking agent and ease removal of screws.
Equally it costs nothing to ask, be up front and honest, the guy`s at the store your intention and the exact problem, you may well find they will be happy to help you out, worst they will say is no
Correct AppleCare wont touch this unless you are very lucky. FYI Apple use a thread locking compound a little heat goes a long way to help release the locking agent and ease removal of screws.
Equally it costs nothing to ask, be up front and honest, the guy`s at the store your intention and the exact problem, you may well find they will be happy to help you out, worst they will say is no
Well, depending on the convenience and distance from the store, the worst could be wasted diesel money as well as being told no
Well, depending on the convenience and distance from the store, the worst could be wasted diesel money as well as being told no
We even have phones in the jungle
Wow, these things are AWSOME. Thanks for the link!
I have extractors but they are much larger. These may be very useful.
If the OP goes this route (highly advised), please post your results here as
this is useful information for these electronics.
Yeah, I may go the extractor route, although I think I'll look for a watch repair person willing to do it.
As small as this screw is, it's probably gigantic and a piece of cake for a watch repair shop.
I am unsure exactly which screw was stripped in this case, but I have heard in every instruction video that the screws strip easily. That being said, I replaced my super drive with my stock HDD in the optibay with no issues from the screws.
Yes, and I thought I had good purchase, but the screw was very tightly installed.
In fairness to Apple/Foxcom, I don't think they intended for these drives to be removed with any regularity or by the unwashed.
Hey OP, that screw on the optical bay bracket seems to be a very common screw to strip when doing a mod. Theres a post about it somewhere on this form, but it turns out, you may not need to remove the screw at all. Try and see if you can just rotate the bracket far enough to switch out the drives.
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I was going to recommend those also. I saw them recommended in a previous thread about a stripped screw. I have used them more than I ever imagined. They are a great item to have.
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So, no jewelry/watch repair hominid will touch this MBP, so I have to do it myself. Yes, I, the one who screwed it up in the first place.
So, I'll get that screw extractor kit someone posted in this thread and proceed with great caution.
One question first: How do I identify, then procure a replacement screw in advance of taking the original out (and ruining it in the extraction process)?
Here's the screw of which I speak (circled in orange, not red):
and mine is a 15" late 2011 MBP.
Thanks!
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Woah, let me try this first before going in all kamikaze style. Thanks
So, I'll get that screw extractor kit someone posted in this thread and proceed with great caution.
One question first: How do I identify, then procure a replacement screw in advance of taking the original out (and ruining it in the extraction process)?
Here's the screw of which I speak (circled in orange, not red):
and mine is a 15" late 2011 MBP.
Thanks!
----------
Woah, let me try this first before going in all kamikaze style. Thanks
Yeah, you don't want to use a magnet anywhere near a computer, especially with it opened up!
Then you have to figure the screwdriver will likely be metal and the magnet would interfere with you trying to use it.
the magnetic field to affect the hard drive will have to be tremendous... just use something like the several magnets that are already in your computer, like the ones that hold the screen closed and set triggers to know when its closed and such. Its funny people freak out over magnets when their computer already has several in it.
My son stripped the same screw on his 2010 MBP. My husband used the extractors referenced earlier to get it out. I tried to get it out but I wasn't strong enough. My son was able to flex that section up and not have to remove it. If you take out the red screw on it is fairly easy to flex that section up and pivot it around on that screw just be careful with the antenna connections.