Stripped Screw on Macbook

Question

Level 1

0 points

Stripped Screw on Macbook

I was attempting to swap the MacBook hard drive with one I grabbed from a WD Passport when I stripped the screw on the bar holding the drive in. Macbook works fine, but no other screwdriver I have will help take the screw out (bigger or smaller). And yes, the screwdriver was of the correct size. If I bring it to the Apple Store - with a Genius Bar appointment - will they replace the screw for me? And perhaps swap the drive/sell me a screwdriver they know will work with the screw that has been replaced?

I'd really like a drive swap as the small drive is really cramped for my work. Yes, it would help to get rid of my music folder/put it on an external, but I still do video-editing and my web development folder isn't that small. I just want to know if I will have to try my hand yet again at drive swapping and potentially strip yet another screw or if they will swap it for me. Preferably free 🙂 .

Any advice?

Macbook 2.0 GHz (Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Dec 26, 2008 8:43 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 26, 2008 8:50 PM in response to Sir Savant

We can't speak for what a Genius will do. Only you can answer your questions by calling the store and asking them.

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Answer 2

JStroud

Level 1

50 points

Dec 27, 2008 4:42 PM in response to Sir Savant

No idea what they'll do, but I heard from another post, they have spare screws available.

Whether or not they can remove the stripped screw, thats another question...

I would suggest picking up a decent screwdriver set in the future, having the right tools makes the job a lot easier. I bought one before taking my MacBook apart to upgrade the HDD, and it came in real handy.

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Answer 3

Dec 27, 2008 9:21 PM in response to Sir Savant

If the screw is stuck in your macbook you can purchase some special bits from any hardware store that will turn a stripped screw.

Cheers.

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Answer 4

Jan 17, 2009 7:33 AM in response to Sir Savant

Please let me know how your issue got resolved.

Same thing happened to me when trying to replacing the stock HD on my unibody MacBook.

I used the Philips #00 drive as recommended and it stripped the screw notches!

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Answer 5

Jan 22, 2009 10:00 AM in response to cobdesign

I'm having the same problem, two of my screws are stuck in. It's so annoying! I don't think they are stripped and I've used the correct tools all along. Anyway had a resolution?

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Answer 6

Mar 7, 2009 9:16 AM in response to hacksaw-c87

Same problem here. Got a stripped screw in the RAM memory bay of my MBP and cannot increase the RAM.

I've been looking around but for answers. Most of the suggestions are to use a screw extractor, although after seen how it works I am not sure if it is the safest way to do it, since you have to actually punch a hole into the screw and then insert the extractor.

Hope anyone has an alternative solution.

Cheers.

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Answer 7

CM

Level 1

10 points

Mar 7, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Jose Olvera

As above, give the apple store a call or make an appointment - I'd be really surprised if they weren;t willing to help you out.

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Answer 8

Mar 12, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Sir Savant

When I tried to upgrade my HD I had the same thing happen. The screw seemed to be to tight.

I did call AppleCare and was told that I could take it to an Apple Store and they would take care of it for me.

When I did they signed it in and had the screw out the next day and installed a new screw and bracket. They couldn't upgrade the HD for me but they let me do it there using the tools they had. Warrenty covered all the costs and the new bracket.

If your screw strips out, call or go to the Apple Store and unless you did more damage, they should take care of the whole thing. Hope this info helps.

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