Question screw stuck in motherboard

[pniok2]

the top of the screw is destroyed and the screwdriver just slips out. i am trying to take the motherboard out. pls help

 

[WildCard999]

I've had to remove a few motherboard screws that were stripped using needle-nose pliers, you just need to be very cautious when doing so as to not damage the motherboard.

 

[RememberThe5th]

Take rubber band and put it on top of the screw driver and try that way, also put rest of screws back into.
Use a bit bigger philips screw driver.

 

[pniok2]

I've had to remove a few motherboard screws that were stripped using needle-nose pliers, you just need to be very cautious when doing so as to not damage the motherboard.

thank you for responding
how do i take the screw out using that?

 

[WildCard999]

thank you for responding
how do i take the screw out using that?

It requires a small part of the top of the screw to grip onto then take it out normally. The rubberband idea from @RememberThe5th may work better if there's really no spot to grip with the pliers.

A picture of the damaged screw may help us help you.

 

[pniok2]

It requires a small part of the top of the screw to grip onto then take it out normally. The rubberband idea from @RememberThe5th may work better if there's really no spot to grip with the pliers.

A picture of the damaged screw may help us help you.

https://ibb.co/QP8XpZ4
picture of screw

 

[WildCard999]

That is really stripped...I doub't the pliers would work. Try the rubberband on a larger screwdriver, you may need to put a bit of pressure down onto the screw as you turn counter-clockwise to get it out.

 

[sc2lines]

Last resorts..... A small file and small short strokes until the head is filed down.........being very careful to not engage the motherboard........ soldering iron and small screwdriver

 

[pniok2]

That is really stripped...I doub't the pliers would work. Try the rubberband on a larger screwdriver, you may need to put a bit of pressure down onto the screw as you turn counter-clockwise to get it out.

i tried the rubberband band idea but it didn't work. and i dont have a soldering iron

 

[Mr.Spock]

maybe a touch of WD40 and a torx head - or a really tiny reversing bit

 

[drea.drechsler]

i tried the rubberband band idea but it didn't work. and i dont have a soldering iron

If you can't get at it with needle nose pliers, or don't trust yourself to grip it tight enough, you may have to get a screw extractor to remove it. There are several types, you'll probably want to choose one that doesn't rely on drilling the screw head first.

BTW, trying to file the screw head away is really dangerous IMO. Firstly because you're using a lot of force in close proximity to delicate parts. But also because it will leave a lot of really fine metallic dust that you can't control. You'd need to wash the board very well afterwards to remove it, don't know if you're prepared for that.

 

[RememberThe5th]

Get straight philips screwdriver then put it at 45 angle then try to turn it.
I may take video later to show it to you.

 

[sc2lines]

If you can't get at it with needle nose pliers, or don't trust yourself to grip it tight enough, you may have to get a screw extractor to remove it. There are several types, you'll probably want to choose one that doesn't rely on drilling the screw head first.

BTW, trying to file the screw head away is really dangerous IMO. Firstly because you're using a lot of force in close proximity to delicate parts. But also because it will leave a lot of really fine metallic dust that you can't control. You'd need to wash the board very well afterwards to remove it, don't know if you're prepared for that.

Thus Last Resort.....😕

 

[sc2lines]

Any way to access the backside and get to the standoff screws?

 

[mortemas]

Here’s what I would try. First and foremost, the screwdriver must be high quality hardened steel, it has to be the proper size, and the tip must be in good shape with sharp edges (no signs of wear or rounding). After ensuring that all the other screws are out of the motherboard, you can turn (pivot) the board in the same direction as the screwdriver, at the same time that you turn the screwdriver, in the loosening direction only. Then, pivot only the board back the other way and then repeat pivoting the board in the loosening direction while unscrewing with the driver. The goal here is to exploit the downward force that the screw head is exerting onto the board. A couple of points. The board probably won’t move much, but a millimeter or two might be all you need. The screw might start to loosen easier after just the first or second pass, after the tension is broken. Additionally, this will work best if the screw is just overtightened. It won’t do as well if the screw is frozen in there due to oxidation. If it weren’t a computer we were talking about here, I would have also recommended taking that screwdriver and holding it in the screw head perfectly aligned and standing up straight, then tap the handle a few times with a hammer. This accomplishes two things. It “recuts” the grooves in the screw head and the physical shock may break some of the tension and/or oxidation that’s preventing extraction.

 

[lolnole]

What computer case do you have? I encountered this same problem when fixing a friend's PC. I ended up dismantling the case down to its bare frame. I was then able to detach the motherboard tray. From there, I literally rotated the motherboard carefully to unscrew it. You do have to be careful that the other standoff screws do not damage to motherboard rear.

If your case has a removable motherboard tray, then that would make it a lot easier.

 

[pniok2]

I fixed it