Macbook ram upgrade - middle screw issue

Use a better fitting philips-head screw driver (There can be a big difference between various screw drivers), or use more pressure - but don't force things and end up stripping the screw. Maybe you've got a friend who's good at these things and can lend a hand, no?
Good luck.
John


Mac OS X (10.4.7) MacBook

I had the same problem, I just looked around my house and tried different screwdrivers until I found one that fit well. It did take some force to unscrew the last screw for me tho, a little bit scary to be putting that much force on a fragile little laptop but it worked out ok

I too have run into this problem. I went out and brought a good quality screwdriver for the pupose of replacing the RAM having read the horror stories in this forum and elsewhere. The only problem is that the head of the middle screw appears damaged and I don't want to make the problem worse. What do I do now. Am I stuck forever with a MacBook with a miserable 512MB of RAM? Help please. Michael Dublin Ireland

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I had the same problem except it was the screw on the far right. The screw was pre-stripped from the factory which really made me mad. I havent ordered screw replacements yet but I one thing you can do is find a small flat head and push the screw towards you as you unscrew it with a small phillips. The screw may end up useless but the other two should keep the bracket in place enough to get the battery back in which should keep the bracket in place.

I had the same problem with my middle screw and my screw ended up getting stripped in the process. I'd suggest taking it to an Apple Store if you're near one; a Genius there helped me out by getting the middle screw out and giving me a new screw. That was lucky, but it's worth a try.

After spending good coin on a Macbook, it would be ashame to cause damage to the innards by not using the correct tools. Instead of saving $20 and using a butter knife, I highly highly recommend grabbing a tool-kit from your local hardware supplier. I've seen a few variations - but the concept is always the same: a set of tiny screw bits including the 5-star shape used to remove the hard-drive chasis from your macbook hard-drive. The other common element is the screw handle which has a free-rotating shaft that allows you to spin the handle without rotating your hand. You just twist the handle while holding the end and the scew comes out easily. I've done this on two seperate Macbooks with ease. Considering how tiny the screw-head is, I would avoid using any kind of bit that is not meant for these particular screws! They are so tiny they will strip very easily.

I eventually got the problem sorted out with the help of an expert friend who was able to remove the screw. I now have two gigs of memory on board and the computer is much improved in speed. My expert's opinion is that the screw was fitted far too tightly for the size and application and there was always a danger of stripping it, even using the exact right size screwdriver given the fact that one is working at an angle. Thanks for all the responses. Michael (much happier now!)

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

While the advice to use the correct tools is obviously good, I think that someone who did not have a problem while using the right tool is mistaken if they think that's why they didn't have a problem.

I'm currently stuck with 2 gigs of Crucial's finest on my desk and 512 in my Macbook. The middle screw will not budge. I'm using the right tool. The left and right screws loosened with a screwdriver that was a little long but the right shape (so I was going at then at an angle). The middle one will not move. I asked around with our electronics guys and tried all of his screwdrivers. The ones that let you apply pressure and freely rotate, as described earlier. The screw will not budge. I even tried using pliers to turn the screwdriver, but it will not move. The screw requires more torque than I think is possible to apply with a manual screwdriver that small.

What this boils down to is not user incompetence or bad tools, but average design and poor assembly (those screws are just too tight).

I'm going to take it to an Apple store and they can strip the screw, not me, but doing so will use up three hours of my life.

Just want to mention that I popped in to the Regent St store while passing through London last night. Despite not having an appointement and turning up at 8pm, I managed to get seen within about 10 minutes. The genius I saw knew is was going to be the middle screw before I told him, so it seems like it's pretty common.

He took it to the backroom and emerged about 15 minutes later. He tried progressively bigger screwdrivers (but I guess all with a 00 tip, until eventually, on the 8th chunkiest screwdriver, one that would shift it.

Anyway. Big thanks to that particular genius, and the helpful staff at the Regent St store. I've now got 2GB, so beachballs shouldn't be quite so frequent.

I had the same problem but it was the far right screw. I simply unscrewed all screws again and repositioned the metal piece because it was slightly scewed to the left. I used the small phillips that comes in that eight piece driver set that has the silver swivle handles w/black heads. You can get it at like wallmart. But if your screw is stuckand you can't evn back it out take it to a repairman and I'm sure the'll have something appropriate to ust loosesn it then tighten it without charging you and send you on your way.