Rounded off screws :(

ToejaM

ToejaM

ToejaM

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So I have a laptop, I wanted to take apart to replace the thermal paste on the CPU and GPU (if, I'm assuming it uses it) but it appears some of the screws were made out of playdough and literally rounded off instantly.

So suggestions? I think drilling is out of the question tbh?

Any threadlock stuff I can use? B&Q I'd guess to get it from?
 
IIRC its most common with laptops to use thermal pads so you can't simply replace the thermal paste on them.
 
Can't you clean off/remove thermal pads ? Like most stock heatsinks you get with desktop chips?
 
Yeah but its more hassle and may not be a good idea to replace a thermal pad with paste depending on the setup.
 
You're probably using the wrong screwdriver ie Philips as opposed to posidrive.

As for threadlock, just use a small bit of the weakest you can find.
 
Well my thinking is, that the thermal pads/paste are all but gone/worn out really. Had the laptop since 2007 so its about time it had a decent service as it gets warm quite quickly even with a heatsink with fans on sat underneath it.

Will be popping to B&Q a bit later, my shed needs more tools and stuff anyway so its a good excuse to not get in trouble with the gf ;)

tbh though, I think if I cant get the pads and such off I'll sell it for spares, it works as it is but its only useful as a web browser and we have phones/ipad for that anyway!
 
What's the make and model? The CPU will definitely be thermal past of some kind, might be a silver foil type one if fairly old but can be cleaned off and re-pasted, gpu do generally use pads but they rarely fail and cause over heating, most over heating is caused by lack of air flow due to blocked heat sink fins.
 
I was definately using the right screw driver.. was only two screws that had a fit when I tried to take them out, they basically melted away when I twisted.. as if they were butter.. most annoying as I was being very careful!

pavillion dv9000 / dv9399ea - 2Ghz c2d / 2gb ram / Nvidia 7600go

I've got a feeling the HDD is dying luckily I have a spare so I'll give that a go once I get some threadlock (gf has the carseat, so even though i have a car to.. can't go anywhere with the baby as shes at work :()
 
Threadlock is used as antivibration to keep the screw/bolt in place, somes in a variety of strengths, from meh to impossible. Yours probably has meh grade stuff. Cannot think of an easy way to get them out I am afraid!
 
My HP laptop I just replaced the thermal pads on just lifted off without the need to clean on the GPU/AMD chip but the actual turion chip needed that outside dried up paste removed and I used a coffee filter paper and the proper removing product (forgot the name but its like 98% something).

I also had that issue and I had to wedge a very thin flat head to the side of the screw whilst using a Philips to unscrew it, but not sure if that would work for you.
 
The screws are too deep in the holes its self to get anything under to pry them up as it were.. I did have a little go but didnt want to crack the plastic.

Aye I know what threadlock is for, my intention to use it would be to use one of my tiny screw drivers and attach the screwdriver to the actual screw so it has some purchase on it and then just twist it out and do it again for another screw... not to lock the screw in place ;)

lrlcr said:
That simply doesn't happen with the right screwdriver.
Click to expand...

Well it did. The screw heads gave way I have plenty of other screws removed which are in perfect condition and I used little precision screwdrivers to take them out.
 
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I'll have to try a really thin rubber band but I don't actually have any of those.. stop taking my excuse to goto B&Q away! ;)
 
sometimes using a torx scew driver you can get a bit more purchase on the head, failing that you can get screw removal tools that fit in electric screw drivers, or simply drill the head off.
 
If the heads have rounded off then I doubt any type of goop is going to give enough purchase between the screw and driver to get the thing out..

Best bet it use a good cordless with a new HSS drill bit and use the vaccuum while your doing it..

Have fun :)
 
Linky for what you mean fish? I dont know if there is anything small enough to get into the screw without damaging the plastic. I had a look in B&Q and they didnt have anything that looked suitable tbh :(
 
Linky?? Eh?

Anyways get a fast controllable drill or even a dremmel type tool, with a High Speed Steel bit, of suitable size..ie tiny. Then flick on the hoover so you suck out the shrapnel as you drill. Then drill the head off the dodgy screws, so you can remove whatever plastic cover you need to.

From then on in its a case of ignoring the dodgy screws, or if you need the fixing back, then trying to salvage whats left of the fixing point. If your left with plenty of 'unheaded' screw stuck out then get some good pliers, grip the screw with a lot of gripping force and unscrew the thing...

If thats not doable, I cant imagine how it would be possible to successfully drill out a small screw from soft plastic, without damage.

Then assess the option of drilling another hole elsewhere and putting in a new screw to make a new fixing point.

Mick
 
Just drill the heads off them and then once opened use a pair of pliers on the left over screw bit.

I have had to do this a few times when repairing machines that someone else had looked at, the last time I did one it was an apple laptop that just came back from apple and couldnt be repaired.
 
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