HP G62 - b25SA Screw Stripped [ Edited ]

[adil8476]

EDIT : I have stripped the hatch marks at the top of the screw ( on the screw head )

It has been a year since I purchased my HPN G62-b25SA notebook computer, and it has been running fine with no problems. Now it has come to the annual self-service of my notebook computer, and while I was taking off the screws on the bottom of the computer, one of the screws would not budge and consequently after approximately 5 minutes of trying it got stripped. The screw is above the RAM, Wireless Card and other components. The problem is however that I cannot take off the back casing to clean the fan or upgrade my RAM without removing that screw. I have tried using a rubber band, WD40, but to no avail. If you have been in a similar situation and have managed to successfully get out of it please let me know, and if you have any solutions could you also please let me know. 

Thanks in advance,

Adil8476

[Huffer]

The only thing to do it tap it. You have to drill into it with a very small drill bit and then back it out. I assume by stripped you just mean that the hatch marks on top of the screw where you put the tip of the screwdriver have been eaten away. Be careful. It is obviously a bit dangerous to bring an electric drill near a laptop. 

[adil8476]

Thanks for the reply huffer, do you have any idea what size drill bit I would require? 

[Huffer]

Much smaller than the head of the screw and preferably smaller than the shaft of the screw. Just hold the bit up to one of the screws you did manage to get out. It is going to be the thinnest one in your collection of bits. 

[adil8476]

Ok thanks Huffer, any more ideas will be welcomed

[Huffer]

As I said be careful. Put the drill on low speed and hang on tight. Don't blame me if the drill goes right through the motherboard, but it will not if you are careful. 

[adil8476]

Should I drill upside down so that the metal filings don't go into the laptop. Also, I know that the screw is 5mm long since, i managed to get out a screw on the same panel, so how deep should I drill, EG Mark on the drill bit when to stop drilling. The diameter of the screw ( not the head of the screw ) is 2mm.

[Huffer]

You do not need to go in far because you are going to take a wrench or pliers and turn the screw with the drill bit once it catches tight in the screw. Only need to go in a little bit . You could put a piece of paper around the screw to catch the filings. They are going to come out the top and spill over the sides. If you cannot turn the screw with the drill bit, pull it out and try to get a screwdriver to catch inside the hole you have made. You just need to get the screw started turning to loosen it. 

[Huffer]

You can also use a bigger bit and just destroy the head of the screw which would then allow you to get the door off. The problem with that is you will then enlarge the screw hole in the cover door. But you can remedy that with a washer when you go to put it back on.

[adil8476]

Thanks for everything Huffer, could you just give me a quick summary of the steps i need to take. EG, after i drill the screw, what do I do next, and what will happen to the screw