Hello! I have been trying to remove the bottom screws, and I have an issue. I'm not sure if the screws are stripped, or what, but when I try to remove the screws, they just won't budge! I tried an ordinary, small phillips screwdriver, ph00, and ph0 screwdrivers, but they just won't move at all. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
Earlier Mac models
Looking at the screw heads with a magnifying glass, are they chewed up from the sloppy tip grinding away in them? They're supposed to be removed with a Phillips number "0," but if you're using a small, jeweler's screwdriver, you won't have much torque when rotating the small handle and trying to bear down into the screw head. Also, even though a Phillips screwdriver tip is a "0," there are some size "0" tips that are longer at the end than others. A pointy end can bottom out in the screw head, before the 4 turning edges of the tip are fully-seated. This causes the screwdriver to slip and grind away at the metal as you rotate it. I prefer a size "0" with a slightly blunt tip. Using a Phillips "0" tip in a multi-tip screwdriver with a larger handle will enable you to bear down harder as you turn it. You can also use a "0" tip in a 1/4" ratchet (with the adapter for screwdriver tips), for maximum torque and downward pressure. I'd place my left palm over the end of the ratchet, directly above the screw, and press down firmly while slowly turning the handle with my right hand. Either tool might be able to loosen the screws, without having to use an EZ out drill bit. Once the bottom cover is removed, if you plan on removing the base plate, the screws require a T-15 tip.
Looking at the screw heads with a magnifying glass, are they chewed up from the sloppy tip grinding away in them? They're supposed to be removed with a Phillips number "0," but if you're using a small, jeweler's screwdriver, you won't have much torque when rotating the small handle and trying to bear down into the screw head. Also, even though a Phillips screwdriver tip is a "0," there are some size "0" tips that are longer at the end than others. A pointy end can bottom out in the screw head, before the 4 turning edges of the tip are fully-seated. This causes the screwdriver to slip and grind away at the metal as you rotate it. I prefer a size "0" with a slightly blunt tip. Using a Phillips "0" tip in a multi-tip screwdriver with a larger handle will enable you to bear down harder as you turn it. You can also use a "0" tip in a 1/4" ratchet (with the adapter for screwdriver tips), for maximum torque and downward pressure. I'd place my left palm over the end of the ratchet, directly above the screw, and press down firmly while slowly turning the handle with my right hand. Either tool might be able to loosen the screws, without having to use an EZ out drill bit. Once the bottom cover is removed, if you plan on removing the base plate, the screws require a T-15 tip.
EZ Out drill bits.
iMac G4 stripped bottom screws
