Silly question, but maybe some can help.... How to find a lost screw in the computer case?

[EvilHamster]

Hi guys. I know this is a very silly question to ask, since it has nothing to do with computers as such...

But maybe some can come up with a brilliant idea 😀

I lost a screw when I was replacing an HDD somewhere in the case. I took the mobo out...I still cant find it. (Nearly broke the mobo too 🙁 but luckily I didn't .)

Anyways, I tried using a slightly magnetic screwdriver, which i know is a bad idea in the first place, but still nothing. I rattled the case, I kept hitting it on one side, I didnt even hear a sound. If I can at least hear it move a bit, I could probably get it out somewhere... but no luck.

I took a plastic covered wire and moved it slightly all around the case, in hopes that I could move the screw and then locate it... But I cant seem to find anything...

The Pc curryntly i running fine and all. But I mean having a metalic part lying around there just does not seem like a good idea.

Does anyone have any ideas to find the little ah heck?

Oh, I also used a hair dryer to maybe move the screw around so that I could hear it and then locate it ... did not work either..

Tipps would be appreciated.
Cheers.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Are you even sure the screw is in there if you can't hear any rattles?, could it have bouced off the motherboard or case interior and landed on the floor perhaps?

 

[EvilHamster]

Nah, I checked everywhere, i has to be there...
(still cant believe i dropped a screw.. oh man the stupidity 🙁 )

 

[PhatLloyd]

If you are really desparate to find it, submerge it in a pool, then drag it around it should dislodge anything stuck, and also cleans the case the same time. Just be sure to dry up the case thoroughly before use. That is the only thing that comes to mind.

 

[EvilHamster]

Hmm.. I am not that desperate yet, but good to know that tip. If nothing else comes to mind, I might do that.

Btw. can a screw short the mobo?
Cheers.

 

[PhatLloyd]

It could, if it picks up static electricity and touches the board, but in you case it is an unlikely event since you can't even find it.

 

[norsestar]

It sounds like you've made a good-faith effort to find it so I'd probably assume it's wedged somewhere and not worry too much about it. Yes, it could decide to come out at some point in the future and short something out, but it seems unlikely at this point.

You don't have an industrial x-ray machine handy, do you?

 

[EvilHamster]

You don't have an industrial x-ray machine handy, do you?

Nah, I gave to to Bruce Wane, he said something about evening out the battlefield...😀

Anyways, thanks all for the posts. I know its a weird thing to answer. Anyways, if anyone had a situation like this and had an ingenious solution to it, pleas do share . If I come up with something, I will post it.

Other than that, cheers all.