Macbook- stuck screw

Gauge

Posting this out of desperation, even if there's no quick/easy solution to be found, I'd like to know if anyone else has had this problem and how (if?) they got around it.

Long story short: I have a Macbook (The latest model- unibody with 8 screws in the bottom), 4GB of RAM that I bought and a Phillips #00 screwdriver. I've removed 7 of the 8 screws and the eighth one will not budge, under any circumstances. I've tried getting some of my handier friends to give it a go and it isn't coming out- I've given up on it because I don't want the screw to get damaged (plus I've already worn down my screwdriver and given myself a lovely bruise on my hand!)

I've been googling like crazy and it seems like if you can bring it in to an Apple store, they'll remove/replace stuck or even stripped screws for free. Except as we all know, there is no Apple store here. I rang Apple's support number and they said that as it's still under warranty, any Apple repair center will replace the RAM for free- except the ones I've rang have told me that as I bought the RAM myself, they will charge me the usual technician's fees (€45-50 just to look at the case, €85+ per hour if it takes longer than half an hour) and it would only be free if I purchased RAM from them- obviously I'll have no choice but to do this if there's no other way, but I want to make sure I've exhausted all other options first.

It's driving me up the walls- I'm not a technician but I've always replaced the RAM on my laptops and PCs myself, but this Macbook is taunting me with it's one stuck screw and the RAM I purchased going to waste :mad: Anyone ever dealt with this issue before?

BFassassin

You could try an easy out screwdriver but im not sure if they would come that small.
This one here looks like it might work.Not sure where you could get one.
http://www.rccoh.com/rc.how-to/screw.extraction.html
Good luck.

Elessar

A last option would be to superglue your worn screwdriver to the screw, let it dry and you should get it out then.

Greentree_uk

"I've been googling like crazy and it seems like if you can bring it in to an Apple store, they'll remove/replace stuck or even stripped screws for free. Except as we all know, there is no Apple store here. I rang Apple's support number and they said that as it's still under warranty, any Apple repair center will replace the RAM for free"

indeed if your memory were faulty, your apple memory that is then they would replace for free.



"- except the ones I've rang have told me that as I bought the RAM myself, they will charge me the usual technician's fees (€45-50 just to look at the case, €85+ per hour if it takes longer than half an hour) and it would only be free if I purchased RAM from them"

Apple do not cover the screws indeed apple stores may, they have a different set of rules than your apple service provider. its not fair no. but the AASP will have to pay for the screws which aren't that expensive €10 or so but add on shipping of €13 and they are pretty expensive. obviously apple arent going to pay for labour either so there you have it. thats your charge.

I agree not fair. and totally anti competitive of apple. but thats the company we all love.

Type 17

Suggestion:

Put the other screws back in and tighten them, to take the load off the problem screw and, while using a fresh, undamaged screwdriver, try to open the problem screw while a friend gently presses on the case around the screw, to further un-load the screw.

muggyog

Two things you can do.

1. Put the screwdriver in the screw and give the end of it a sharp ( NOT HARD ) tap, directly downwards. If you can get a solid jewelers type screwdriver which has no plastic to absorb the shock. What you are attempting to do is to break the bond between thread and case. Sharp tap also improves screwdrivers fit into screw head. Don't hammer it, just 1 or two sharp taps and try turning. You can repeat till exhausted!

2. Using a drill bit the same size as the head of the screw, drill it out. Use a drill you can control speed because you don't want to drill through the case. if you are careful to drill out just enough of the screw, you can use a pliers to take the remainder out ( comes out easy because of heat generated) when the cover is off.

jpfahy

Apply a tiny drop of WD40 from the tip of a cocktail stick around the screw. Give it an hour to soak down. Put the Macbook in a very warm place (hot press/boiler room). Put the screwdriver in the freezer for an hour then have a go. The screwdriver will transfer cold locally to the screw which will contract and might break the seal with it's surroundings.
Freeze spray (Maplins) could give the screw a good crack too.

NUTZZ

OP I had the exact same problem with MBP. I just could not get that last screw out. I've replaced RAM on literally hundreds of PC's and laptops while doing my work experience from college and of course when it came to my own laptop and shiny new 4GB's of RAM I couldn't do it! I tried everything, including the glue but it wouldn't budge. The only one thing I didn't try was to drill it out, because I didn't have the utensils.

So I forgot about the ram for about a month, and then fortunately (or rather unfortunately!:pac:) my laptop screen stopped working, turned out it was the nVidia graphics card problem that was covered under the extented warranty. So I left it to Mactivate to be repaired and brought in the RAM with me and asked them to install it, which they did, for free! So maybe you should give them a call!

Gauge

The crisis has been solved Thanks for all the great advice people! Today my engineer housemate removed the screw for me with a better screwdriver than my own and didn't charge me a cent.

I was going to send it in to CompuB who were willing to look at it for free (very nice of them- really can't fault their customer service) but wasn't able to give it up for the few days it would take as I needed it for work- luckily now I don't have to. Cheers again for all the tips- I may not have ended up using them but I definitely learned from them!