Cannot remove motherboard because of a stuck screw

Goose · 22 Oct 2011 at 14:59

I built my new rig (see sig) a few weeks ago and everything went fine. Today i finally got round to installing my Noctua cooler and have now run in to a really annoying problem.

I unscrewed and removed the motherboard without a hitch but after re-installing it one of the screws has become wedged in so I wont be able to remove the motherboard again.

I inserted and lightly screwed in each one going from one side of the board to the other in order to keep it all aligned. The problem has come when screwing in the final screw in the very top left corner (as you look down on the board). I have included a fairly rubbish photo below.

As I gently screwed it in it became apparent that it was not going in straight so i began to unscrew it only to find that it will not unscrew complete and thus cannot be pulled out. If i try to screw it in it eventually stops and is wonky as shown in the picture. If i try and unscrew it it comes up part of the way but not fully and begins to make a "crack" noise on each 360deg rotation but without coming out any further.

Ultimately, it wont go in or out fully and so the screw and therefore the entire motherboard cannot be removed from my case.

Any ideas?

Thanks

StriderX · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:03

I had this problem, forgot how i fixed it though.

Do you have access to the back of the case to push the inner screw bit out?

Viafok · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:05

sounds like the stand off has come away from the case.

Hyburnate · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:08

Use a drill :cool:

King Damager · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:08

Undo the rest of the screws first, and see if this allows you to slightly push it so that the screw straightens up a bit, then unscrew it?

kd

Kouba · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:11

Unscrew all the other screws, then pull the mobo out of the case slowly whilst twisting slightly. Thats how i got it out.

Randomface74 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:12

hacksaw the head off the screw
remove the mobo
bash the crap out of the screw

Tokin · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:14

billysielu said:
hacksaw the head off the screw
remove the mobo
bash the crap out of the screw

Surveyor · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:32

Remove all the oher screws.

Gently ease the motherboard out while turning the wonky screw.

If the standoff is being unscrewed it should eventally come out.

wentalong · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:33

use a pair of long nose pliers to gently push the screww straight, it may mess the thread on the standoff up but you can just get another one so its not a problem, if that doesnt work try unscrewing the stand off or drilling through the underside of the standoff to get it out,

Surveyor · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:33

billysielu said:
hacksaw the head off the screw
remove the mobo
bash the crap out of the screw

If you have nothing sensible to say then say nothing.

Jokester · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:35

You sure that's the right type of screw to use, looks like one of the bigger ones you get.

Steviep3488 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:35

put a bit of tape over it and forget its there like the engine service light in your car. no big deal

Steviep3488 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:38

seriously its crossthreaded. its picked up on the thread in the stand off so the only way to get rid is..
remove the mobo gently. take all screws out. the try unscrewing that one a bit more.
it wont come out but should be free frome case. remove mobo and get a set of grips or pliers on the stand off and then undo with screwdriver the other side. Dont try screwing it in again. threads are knackered. you need a m2 or m3 tap to sort it so id just puit it back without that screw.

Steviep3488 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:38

Steviep3488 said:
seriously its crossthreaded. its picked up on the thread in the stand off so the only way to get rid is..
remove the mobo gently. take all screws out. the try unscrewing that one a bit more.
it wont come out but should be free frome case. remove mobo and get a set of grips or pliers on the stand off and then undo with screwdriver the other side. Dont try screwing it in again. threads are knackered. you need a m2 or m3 tap to sort it so id just puit it back without that screw.

oh and power off first. LOL

Scougar · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:40

Steviep3488 said:
put a bit of tape over it and forget its there like the engine service light in your car. no big deal

lol.

But seriously.. completely power the system off. Turn the power supply off as well. Get some needle nose pliers and grasp the stand-off (Or alternatively, a small spanner). It looks like a hexagon top, so you should be able to get a small socket on it, so you reduce the risk of scratching the motherboard.

Be gentle.. but this should get the screw out. You may need to replace the stand-off and screw.

TIP: To ensure you don't cross thread, when you go to put a screw in, turn it anti-clockwise first until you feel a 'click', then turn clockwise to screw it up :-)

Steviep3488 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:42

there is one way to fix damaged thread without the tools. Im an engineer and this has always worked. get some lube. like penetrating oil. Wd40. spray it in the cap only a little bit. the you need some fine swarf. from anything. fine enough to fit into the threads on the screw/bolt. mix the swarf into the oil and place some on screw/bolt. then work it in screwing it in a full turn then out half then in full out half. it helps cut a grove over damaged threads.
Its definately one to remember. weve all had cross threaded bolts before somewhere in life

Hyburnate · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:42

Yeah I agree, it does look slightly weird. The ones I use are silver and have a small body with a big head xD

Rik1254 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:52

WD-40 all over it, then pull it out like a pro. If that doesnt work, crowbar and a hammer.

If your sensible though, Id listen to the others. Might be worth getting someone to unscrew while you pull the mobo gently out or vice versa.

Steviep3488 · 22 Oct 2011 at 15:59

you could always put some bluetack or silicone over it. not much and come back to it in say 3 yrs when you want to upgrade. theyre both good insulators so nothing will go wrong.