[SOLVED] Stripped Screw Head Toshiba Laptop

Seeno · Aug 29, 2011

I'm working on a Toshiba Satellite laptop with a "clamshell" case arrangement. This means most of the access requires separating the two halves of the case which is held together by tiny phillips head screws (all are marked F5 on the case) recessed about 3/8". The problem is that one screw has a stripped head and none of my drivers will budge it. There's just nothing there but a round hole where the cross used to be. Any ideas?

Seeno

GZ · Aug 29, 2011

Re: Stripped Screw Head Toshiba Laptop

Hello Seeno and welcome to TSF,

Stripped screws can be a royal pain in the rump. There are a few ways of extracting them.

The first thing I would try is finding a Torx driver that fits tightly in the stripped area. Apply moderate pressure (you don't want to break anything) and slowly attempt to turn the screw out. The splines on Torx drives will sometimes grab and allow you to extract a screw without drilling.

The other option is to use an extractor. (also known as EZ-Out). You will drill a small hole in the head of the screw and use the extractor to remove it. You will need to choose the proper size extractor for the screw that is stuck.

You can find screw extractors of differing sizes at most hardware stores. I wouldn't use an extractor larger than 5/64".

Seeno · Aug 30, 2011

Ohhhhhh....you said to drill a small hole. Oh well, now I have a real window on my machine.

Just kidding. Thanks gavinzach! I had my torx and easy out close at hand but my tiny drill passed through the head and now all I have to worry about is getting the threaded part out of the hole.

Thanks, again!
Seeno

[SOLVED] Stripped Screw Head Toshiba Laptop

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