Help! Motherboard screw and standoff wont come apart.

Goose

Goose

Goose

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I had to remove the the motherboard from my NAS in order to fit the back plate to the new CPU cooler and I had trouble with a couple of screws. Basically, instead of screwing out of the standoff the screw remained in the standoff and would actually start to unscrew the standoff itself from the case. I managed to get one of them out but the last one is completely ruined. The screw head is completely rounded over and jammed tight in the standoff, I manged to unscrew the standoff from the case enough that I managed to remove the motherboard from the case with the standoff still attached to the motherboard and screw (see picture below).

I've tried holding the standoff with a pair of pliers to keep it from spinning as I attempt to unscrew the screw but I cant get the screw to move at all due to how messed up the head is and how tightly its screwed in to the standoff. I'm really not sure what to do, all I can think off is to try and drill the screw out but i'm worried about all the little micro fragments of metal getting thrown all over the motherboard.

Anyone have any better ideas?

Link to the pictures are here.
 
I would drill it out at this point.

Use a hoover with the nozzle beside the screw head as you go and that should take care of any little fragments.

At a low speed, there shouldn’t be too much created anyway I would think.
 
Other than drilling it
Very small pair of mole grips (called locking pliers by some people)
About the only thing that will grip the screw head
I have a tiny pair
And tiny needle nosed ones too
Unless you have fore arms like popeye
Standard pliers won't hold
 
Philtor said:
I would drill it out at this point.

Use a hoover with the nozzle beside the screw head as you go and that should take care of any little fragments.

At a low speed, there shouldn’t be too much created anyway I would think.
Click to expand...

Would you be able to recommend a suitable drill bit (i'm not sure i have anything small enough)?

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Other than drilling it
Very small pair of mole grips (called locking pliers by some people)
About the only thing that will grip the screw head
I have a tiny pair
And tiny needle nosed ones too
Unless you have fore arms like popeye
Standard pliers won't hold
Click to expand...

I'll see what I can find.
 
That may work
Though I would be wary of hacksawing
Definitely be fine pieces of metal flying from that
If I was going to use a hacksaw
I would take the blade out for more control/better angle
And cut through the standoff and screw in one go
Ie underneath not top of the screw

Edit ignore that
Looking at pictures again probably won't work
As standoff is too close to the board
 
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Can you spin the stand off from the back with a small socket or spanner or pliers at a push? Just trying to gauge how tight it is. Hoping you can just break seal for lack of a better word. If they spin as a complete unit but you've not been able to unscrew it, it might be cross threaded then drilling would be the only way but like you I would worry about metal fragments
 
Back to hacksaw idea
You could cut through screw and standoff
Then just leave it in there
Like cut enough off so when you install the board
It just rests on the standoff
Most of us have probably installed boards without all the screws before
Shouldn't be a problem
 
Back up - that screw doesn't look too bad (not a great photo though).

Have you got a decent, properly sharp screwdriver?

So many problems are caused by people using inappropriate screwdrivers or worn ones, and this just creates more wear which makes things even harder.

1. Check your screwdriver. Don't use a Pozi drive! Philips cross head only.

2. Use a bigger size than you think, but more importantly one that's sharp and not rounded and worn. The tip of a big screwdriver will gain purchase better than a small one. People so often use a too small bit.

Remember, you only need to extract this screw one time. Don't go to destructive tools yet, even if it means buying a brand new screwdriver try that first.
 
I’ve tried every screwdriver in the house with no luck.

I have a dremel tool and I thought about cutting a slot in the screw head to then use a flat head screwdriver but again, I’m worried about metal flying everywhere.
 
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Goose said:
I’ve tried every screwdriver in the house with no luck.

I have a dremel tool and I thought about cutting a slot in the screw head to then use a flat head screwdriver but again, I’m worried about metal flying everywhere.
Click to expand...
If you arrange the Dremel so that the wheel is throwing waste away from the edge of the motherboard it may work - I'd also tape paper down over the board to protect it. Should be doable with care.
 
Goose said:
I’ve tried every screwdriver in the house with no luck.

I have a dremel tool and I thought about cutting a slot in the screw head to then use a flat head screwdriver but again, I’m worried about metal flying everywhere.
Click to expand...
Use electrical tape and paper to cover the rest of the motherboard, but try the rubberband trick mentioned above first.
 
If you do resort to using a dremel
To cut a slot in the screw head
You will probably find it might cut a U shape
Not actually as steep as a U
But can't think how to explain it exactly
But it may not cut flat enough for a slotted screwdriver
As you don't want to cut it too near the edge of the screw
Using a metal washer or very thin coin to turn it may
Work better than a screwdriver
If that makes sense
Hopefully it won't come to that though
 
mickyflinn said:
If you can get a junior hacksaw you maybe able to cut a groove across the screw head , enough for a flat head screwdriver.
Click to expand...

Was going to recommend this, but do it with a Dremel so there's less strain on the board. Just cut it deep enough across to give a flat head screwdriver enough grip.
 
LuckyBenski said:
If you arrange the Dremel so that the wheel is throwing waste away from the edge of the motherboard it may work - I'd also tape paper down over the board to protect it. Should be doable with care.
Click to expand...

mickyflinn said:
Use electrical tape and paper to cover the rest of the motherboard, but try the rubberband trick mentioned above first.
Click to expand...

Just bog standard electrical tape to tape the paper down?
 
small dab of high temp grease on the end of the drill bit and the slowest speed setting and it will catch all the swarf from the drilling process.
 
small mole grips with narrow end to grip the screwhead and spanner/socket on standoff?maybe
I personally would not use a dremel or saw as risk of slipping would be quite high imho
Is it an expensive mobo?
 
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