Screwed - How to get laptop screws undone

[Componentgirl90]

Basically I have a couple of old laptops, I am *trying* to change the paste on the heatsinks. Both have really stubborn screws preventing access to the thermal areas. I have a few screwdrivers but they just wont budge the screws.

Some screws wont turn because I believe the screwdriver is too narrow at the handle and I am not able to produce enough force to turn them. One or two of the screws wont turn because they are worn a bit from a previous disassembly and the head of the screwdriver keeps slipping.

I want to buy an electric screwdriver but I am not sure which one to buy as the screw heads on the one in amazon looks a bit thick for my laptop. The screw sits in a sort of deep hole in the plastic shell and I am wondering if that would stop the head from getting all the way down to the screw. The screw heads on the amazon one look a bit large for the screw too even though it says it is for a laptop. The screws really are tiny.

Any recommendations for an electric screwdriver?

 

[gareththegiant]

with the screws that have lost the head try putting an elastic band between the driver and screw if you can.

have a read through this some tips may help

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Stripped-Screw

You can try a small torx as well with more points on it can get good grip sometimes a small flat head also works

 

[Componentgirl90]

Thanks for this answer. I will try the rubber band trick.

 

[geofelt]

First, make certain that the screwdriver you are using fits the head of the screw.
Often it is the larger size that works best.
If you will work with pc's, buy yourself a set of magnetic tip Philips head screwdrivers. They are invaluable for assembly, and will lift screws out of deep slots.
A new set will have sharp edges and a larger grip.
Here is an example:
https://www.amazon.com/Screwdriver-VIGRUE-Professional-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer/dp/B07BVJL1J5/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1526485117&sr=8-12-spons&keywords=magnetic+tip+screwdriver&psc=1

You are looking for #0, #1, and #2 in particular.
I find #2 to be the most useful for pc builds.

Look carefully at the heads of the laptop screws.
Sometimes, they are not Philips heads at all.
Perhaps some sort of hex openings in which you should invest in a suitable kit.