Stripped torx screw on my iMac G4

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Level 1

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Stripped torx screw on my iMac G4

I have a 700MHZ iMac G4, and I want to open it up to upgrade the RAM to the 1GB max. When I opened up the aluminium cover on the bottom, I saw the first ram spot and saw the 4 T-15 torx bolts (all stripped). I got 3 out, but one is mostly rounded and wont come out. What should I do about that. I will be buyin all new bolts for it, even though they are expensive. How can I get that 4th bolt out? Is it possible to use a screw extractor or easyout on it or will that damage the motherboard? I really need help, I will be giving it away to someone who needs a computer soon, and I want to add in the extra RAM since its dirt cheap and I have the both types of RAM it takes at home.

iMac (Flat Panel), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 31, 2013 8:10 AM

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Answer 1

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rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Oct 31, 2013 11:44 AM in response to therich123

I haven't messed with the iMag g4. I heard you need a special tool to put the arm/head back together properly.

Removal of screw. I saw screw removal drill bits at sears. They are a bit like a unicorn horn/antler. Never tried one. I've heard people drill out hard to remove screws. I'd guess a drill press would be best.

Robert

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Answer 2

therich123 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 31, 2013 12:17 PM in response to rccharles

I have messed around with one before. You dont need to take off the arm/head off, after you undo the 4 torx screws, the motherboard RAM socket opens up. I stripped that one because I forgot it was a T-15 and used a T-10, learned a lesson. Would you recommend I drill it out or use a screw removal bit? As for the drill press, I can't afford one. I was thinking getting a screw removal bit and a drill bit and drilling into it then taking it out with the removal bit. I would use it with a cordless power drill. I am trying to get it off as cheaply as possible. I really do not know what to do.

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Nov 1, 2013 10:55 AM in response to therich123

I haven't worked with the problem.

I have tried to drill out the central pin on a "secure" torxs. Could not hold drill firmly enough.

My guess would be using the screw removal bit. Would be able to jam it in the torx head. Get the "right" size.

Could get a piece of wood & drill a larger hole in wood and use wood as a protective mask. Downside would be making a small hole & not knowing where the drill bit was & could be out drilling the wrong thing. 😟

I'd go with screw removal bit.

Could try a very little wd-40 around base of old screw. Do not spray. Get a little piece of plastic & spray wd-40 on plastic then drip on base of screw. Wipe up any excess.

Note: WD-40 around electronics is not agreed on by all. Some say loudly NO!

I've used lots of wd-40 on my old car. Still ran after wd-40 bath.

Robert

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Answer 4

therich123 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 1, 2013 11:05 AM in response to rccharles

Thank you for all your help rccharles! I did figure it out. I used some pliers with a grip and started twisting it out. Now if you have any ideas on how I could reuse these screws? I can't afford to spend 20-30 bucks on 4 screws. 3 of them are not badly stripped, one of them is rounded. the rounded one I was thinking of hacksawing a section to fit a slotted or flathead screwdriver in. Any thoughts?

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Answer 5

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Nov 1, 2013 8:17 PM in response to therich123

the low cost solution.

could use the screws and not tighten too much. Should be ok if you do not move around much.

look around at other junked pc.

Are four torx screws that expensive?

Any screws with the proper width and thread count should be ok. < unless they somehow interfer with the bottom plate. > The torx screws are for easier robot assembly.

may have missed this:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

possible on ebay < i'm not a connoisseur of torx screws. I'm clueless if they would fit the iMac g4.>

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-T15-TORX-WRENCH-10x-M4-SCREW-SET-/170997223224?pt=BI_ Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item27d03a8f38

try lowes/homedeput. Although, I don't remember if I looked for torx screws there or not.

Robert

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Answer 6

therich123 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 1, 2013 8:32 PM in response to rccharles

I have checked in ebay, haven't thought about lowes or homedepot. I will try them. I might only replace one, since the other 3 are very very lightly stripped, and its not like the cover of this thing is going to come off anytime soon after I put it back on. I am giving it away to someone who needs a better setup or doesn't have a setup, but can't afford one. I am surprized how good this thing does on the internet for its age. I am using it now and it is pretty snappy and good enough for someone to use for basic uses. As for you asking "Are the four torx screws that expensive?", they kinda are. Apple has always been very proprietary with everything, and those screws have been out of production for years. Apple doesn't keep parts for "vintage" computers. If I have to, I will retrofit. Do you have any idea if it is possible to fit a screw that is longer in length in that hole or will that backfire. If I have to, I will just get my pliers out and screw it on how I got it out and I will leave a note in between the aluminum cover and the airport/user accessible RAM spot giving instructions on how to get it out.

Richard

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Answer 7

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Nov 2, 2013 10:03 AM in response to therich123

How many more times will this thing be taken apart?

I thought of putting ducktape over the screws to prevent them from moving.

We might be making a bigger deal about this than needed. Screw in lightly so they are easier to remove. If your not moving the machine around much shouldn't be a problem.

Do you have any idea if it is possible to fit a screw that is longer in length in that hole or will that backfire.

I've never worked on this machine. I've worked on lots of PC's. I had a collection of screws. Came in repeating sizes.

I see in a picture that the screws go to a post. Well, put a thin nail down the hole & see.

Purhaps these guys would spot you a few screws:

http://www.wap.org/clinic/default.html

could run two telephone wires on the side of the existing circuitry to & from the air slots. Would prevent the bottom from falling out. How bad would it be if the bottom fell out? That would tell you how critical the screw are.

Robert

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Answer 8

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Nov 2, 2013 10:52 AM in response to therich123

fyi:

TenFourFox -- It's a port of the latest FireFox to run on older hardware and software.

"World's most advanced web browser. Finely tuned for the Power PC."

-- works for me on 10.4. Supports 10.5

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

alternative download site:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37761/tenfourfox

Turn on pipelining. This will allow Firefox to make simaltaneous requests to the server. Chrome has pipeling turned on. Some sites could fail to load with pipeling set on. The site will be old. See "Increase pipelining" in:

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/firefox-optimization-tips/

OmniWeb uses the lastest Safari framework. The open source WebKit. Other browsers like Safari and iCab use the OS version of WebKit. The OmniWeb downloaded dmg includes it's own copy of the latest WebKit.

http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omniweb/

Safari 4.1.3 for Tiger

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1069

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