Rounded screw near CPU :O will not come out (stripped screw)

[Diosa20]

so i have everything to re build my computer (spill resulted in my pc breaking)
i was putting the cpu in the slot first... i bought an after market cooler
so i was unscrewing screws for the original stock cooler that came with my cpu so i could fit the current one i had now i got 3 screws out but the fricken last screw is rounded (stripped) completely circle ive tried everything i can think of and im losing the plot lol

please help (the screw was rounded before i even tried to unscrew the ah heck)

 

[RealBeast]

The easiest and safest course would be to use a stripped screw extractor.

It is a specialized type of drill bit that comes in either a set of sizes or individually -- you need a small one. Just get the correct small size and do it carefully and you won't damage the board.

 

[synphul]

If you don't feel safe drilling, something you could try in the meantime is a rubber band. One wide enough to cover the screw head. Push the screwdriver into the screw sandwiching the rubberband between the tip of the driver and head of the screw and hopefully it'll give enough traction to loosen it. Try going slow with ample downward force being careful not to push too hard and/or slip and allow the screwdriver to skid across the motherboard.

 

[jagreenough]

also you might try using a small vice grip. tighten it/clamp it on the screw head and then turn it. be careful as you turn it to not gouge the MB or hit an adjacent component. just a bit of a turn to get it loose and you'll be home free. good luck.