View original (French)

Endless spinning wheel laptop

Solved
GaetanEtSesVis -  
glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello,

I'm writing to you because I'm out of ideas...
I want to disassemble my laptop to add some RAM, but I have 2 screws that are giving me trouble...
The 2 screws at the back are fine, the screwdriver grips well, but when I try to unscrew, the screw never comes out. It just turns endlessly without ever coming loose, and even more strangely, it also turns endlessly when tightening, there's never a stop. It's as if the part holding the screw on the other side is turning with the screw.

I've tried everything.
Vacuum cleaner, pliers, flat screwdriver to get under the head, I even tried to thread dental floss under the head to pull it, but nothing...

Do you have any idea how to get this damn screw out, please?
Thank you very much!

10 answers

  1. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Here is a video of a PC that looks exactly like mine. Around the 2-minute mark, the guy unscrews those famous screws and goes to get them with a red pliers. I did the same as him, but my screws won't come off.
    16
    1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
       
      Once unscrewed, if this PC looks like yours, have you tried to slide the cover, as in the video?
      0
      1. GaetanEtSesVis > glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        Hello,
        Yes, I tried, and it's blocking.
        When I see the guy remove it effortlessly and I see the resistance on my PC, I think it's not normal. He manages it too easily compared to me.
        But I will try again tonight just to be sure.

        Thank you for the time you are giving me.
        0
  2. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
     
    Hi

    maybe...

    look at this image:
    http://matkom.free.fr/pcgui/vis1.png

    the screws (black) are screwed into a metal insert (gold on the image) which is fixed in the casing.
    the plastic part that holds the inserts is probably broken, so the insert is turning in the hole.

    Try unscrewing by tilting the screw, which should clamp the insert and maybe loosen the screw.

    Otherwise, you don't have many options, you'll have to brute force the cover.

    :-)
    1
    1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
       
      Hello astuces72,
      Your comment is very relevant, but if the insert taken from the plastic carcass mold turns with the screw, I suppose the cover can still be lifted and removed, right?
      Maybe it needs a little forcing, as mentioned in response #3.
      Perhaps there is also another undetected screw that hasn't been removed!
      Best regards.
      0
    2. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      if your hood has to slide off to be removed, you can't with the screws.

      maybe or maybe not, pure speculation :-)
      0
      1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585 > astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Yes, indeed, if it has to slip, there's nothing you can do, very good point.
        It's much easier to specify how to do it when you have your nose on the computer!!!
        See you!
        0
  3. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
     
    Good evening,
    If you would like answers to your question, please note the exact references of your laptop and paste them in your next message.
    It’s possible that a member could intervene afterwards, for example!
    Best regards.

    --
    The one who doesn't please upon arriving, always pleases upon leaving!
    Breizh a tao
    0
  4. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Thank you for the reply.

    My PC is an Asus R900VB
    18"
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    GT 740M
    0
    1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
       
      It may be possible to place a small washer on the threaded part of the screw on the inside of the cover to keep it in place and prevent it from getting lost.
      The cover may be clipped, so it might require a bit of force to remove it.
      0
  6. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Thank you for the image. I see the issue pretty well.
    I will try this tonight when I get home from work and keep you posted.

    Thanks again for your help.
    0
    1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
       
      Surprisingly, regarding the inserts, I understand that one of them turns with the screw (issue encountered on an Asus X93S), but the fact that both do the same thing is surprising to me!
      Best regards.
      0
    2. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      Yes, I'm surprised too.
      The 2 screws don't quite have the same resistance. One turns really easily, it almost feels like nothing is holding it in place, but the other resists a little more (barely more, you can just feel that you need to slightly (but I mean very slightly) push a bit harder), but in the end, it's the same, the screw never comes out and there's no stop when screwing it in.

      I hope I'll be able to get them out, otherwise my RAM stick will be useless and I still won't be able to play "demanding" games :/

      Thanks again.
      0
    3. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      especially since the screws are not subjected to any force, I confirm, it's rather suspicious!
      without seeing the device, I can't help you anymore :-D
      0
    4. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      I will try to send you some pictures tonight, if that can help you understand better.
      0
      1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585 > GaetanEtSesVis
         
        Yes for the photos, it can indeed help to understand, but try as much as possible to take close-ups, maybe!
        As for the screws, there's always a way to remove them, the main thing is to know how they are mounted and what they are for.
        Then, a small Dremel equipped with a Ø 2 to 2.5 drill bit, a vacuum nearby, and you're all set. (already done)
        @+
        0
  7. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Hi,

    I tried "twisting" the screw, but nothing works; the broken part doesn't catch anywhere.

    I also tried pulling the hood, but it won't budge. If I force it more, I will tear everything apart.

    Here are the photos:
    View of the 2 screws that are blocking: http://hpics.li/89f1e3e
    Closer view of one screw: http://hpics.li/3aa7cfc

    I don't know what else to do...
    If we could avoid anything like drilling, etc., because I'm far from being a delicate guy, and I'm afraid of breaking something...

    Thank you,
    0
    1. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      Do you feel that without the screws it could come off, or not at all?

      If it can move, try to slide a knife blade into the opening near the hinge, and guess where the insert is to try to block it while attempting to unscrew it.
      0
    2. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      Yes, I think that without the screws, the hood would come off.
      When I try to pull it, it only moves by about 1 mm, but I can clearly feel that the screws are blocking it...
      I think a knife blade is too thick to slip in. But I'll try to find something thin enough and keep you updated.
      0
  8. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Well, there's nothing to be done...
    Nothing is working, I'm losing my patience here...
    Do you think the drill will definitely solve my problem? If I manage to break the screw head, won't the rod block me?
    I have to open this damn PC. No matter the cost. But still, it was worth 1000 euros when I bought it... I don't want to mess it up :/
    0
    1. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      I don't see how your drill will work, the screw will turn with the bit.

      And if you slide the cover, the insert won't get stuck either?

      Breaking the plastic that holds the screw head...
      0
    2. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      Excellent point about the drill! I hadn't thought of that...
      No, even with the casing slid, the insert doesn’t lock in place.
      I think I’m going to go for breaking the plastic that holds the screw.
      I’m scared x)
      I’ll think about how to do it without damaging the casing too much, and I’ll keep you posted.

      Thank you very much!
      0
    3. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      and if you only break/drill/melt (soldering iron) where I erased in the image, it will be able to slide through the screw

      http://hpics.li/899b6d9
      0
    4. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      Sure, thank you for the help astuces72.
      I'll stop here for tonight, I'll continue tomorrow, I’ll be calmer and less blunt then.

      Thank you for your time and your help.

      Best regards,
      0
  9. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
     
    Indeed, it will turn with the forest, but after putting a small drop of this product
    between the screw head and the plastic, a cotton swab to remove the excess, plus a few seconds of waiting, you will be able to go for it without any problem and it won't be ready to turn! (already done)
    It's up to you now, you're the boss!
    That said, I still don't quite understand why these screws react this way, unless this PC has suffered a big shock; this would explain it. I wonder, after checking the pictures, if these screws are original to this PC.
    Best regards.

    The one who doesn't bring joy when arriving, ALWAYS brings joy when leaving!
    Breizh a tao
    0
    1. astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 669
       
      I definitely wouldn't drill a screw for fear of getting metal filings inside.
      Why tackle the hardest part when just making a slot in the plastic would suffice?

      Since it's on the hinge side, and that's a weak point on many laptops, I'm not too surprised; the next screws to break will be the ones on the hinges.

      Where are you from, Gaëtan? I'm from Sarthe.
      0
      1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585 > astuces72 Posted messages 2146 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        @astuces72, hello,
        Iron filings, shavings, whatever you want, you're not going to use kilograms of it, and the vacuum cleaner mentioned earlier is part of the process and further limits dispersion.
        Making a slit in the plastic isn't a bad idea, but when it comes to reassembling with new screws, how are you going to secure that cover if you break the head's hold?
        This is my last contribution on this topic, good luck for the future GaetanEtSesVis, whatever you plan to do, I wish you success.
        @+
        0
  10. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Hello to you.

    I am from Toulouse. But I'm going to try to break the plastic around the screw head.
    If that doesn’t work, I will drill the plastic by making a hole next to the screw to try to slip something in to block the insert.
    And if that still doesn’t work, I’ll try the hinge method.
    And as a last resort, the solution with glue and drilling the screw.
    With all this, I should be able to manage.

    Thank you for all these ideas and for the time you’ve given me.
    0
  11. GaetanEtSesVis
     
    Victory!!!

    I finally managed to dig the screw holes enough to pull the cover a bit and lift it out.

    I took a picture of the result:
    The open PC: http://hpics.li/265e3b3
    The damage: http://hpics.li/d96b977

    Thank you again for your help!

    Have a great rest of the day.

    Best regards,
    0
    1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585
       
      I had specified that this would be my last comment in the penultimate post, but just a remark regarding the images: not only adding RAM, but a good cleaning of the fan and the hot air exhaust vents would do the PC a lot of good as well; that was just a side note!!!
      And ultimately, what’s the deal with these famous screws?
      Oh my country, oh Toulouse... greetings to Claude.
      See you later!
      0
    2. GaetanEtSesVis
       
      Yes, I will also take the opportunity to do a good cleaning ;)
      I still don't know what those screws are for. They are still in place and stuck under another layer of plastic. But they are no longer preventing me from removing the cover and adding the RAM, so I'm not going to look into what they are for; the PC has suffered enough like this ^^
      See you later and thanks again
      0
      1. glg29 Posted messages 29751 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 585 > GaetanEtSesVis
         
        So, good continuation, if you feel you have achieved what you wanted, check out how to mark your topic as resolved.
        Cya and you're welcome.
        0