removing back of hp pavillion 14 laptop

[Statsmeyer]

I am trying to upgrade the battery, but am having trouble getting the back cover off.  In particular, one of the small screws under the rubber pads on the bottom of the unit will not unscrew... in fact, it won't tighten up either!  How can I get it out?  The second small screw comes out easily with a small phillips-head screwdriver provided by the new battery supplier.  And the ones on the front of the unit were likewise easy.  It's just that one screw!

Please help!

[Huffer]

Does the screw turn or is it frozen? 

[Statsmeyer]

I turns, but doesn't seem to extract from whatever is holding it in.  Likewise, if I turn it clockwise, it turns but gets no traction to tighten it down.

[Huffer]

You might be able to remove the back with that screw still in place if its not grabbing anything

[Statsmeyer]

The trouble it that if I pull up on the case the screw still has hold of it at some level, and I don't want to force it.

One of my sons suggested trying to drill out the screw with a Dremel tool, but if fear that once the drill starts to rotate, the screw will rotate and we won't make any progress.  I couldnt get a needle-nosed pliers on the screw to hold it in place.  

The only other idea i have come up with is cutting a small hole in the cover around the screw.  But here, i am concerned that if i accidentally cut too deep, it will harm some of the innards.  (Brand new idea: maybe do that very carefully with the dremel?)

I am open to other suggestions.  I thought I would visit a local computer shop I have dealt with and see if they have any other ideas.

I hate to have to buy a new laptop because of this!

Peace

[Huffer]

Your son's idea is the best practice for techs. You actually do not use a dremel tool but a very thin drill bit. Drill into the screw, even almost the whole length of it. Called "tapping" a screw. Auto mechanics have to do it all the time. Don't damage the plastic around the screwhole except as a very last "Hail Mary" thing. Personally I always used to have one of the younger techs with better eysesight and steadier hands do this but I have pulled it off a few times. The better the drill the better it works i.e. high rpm is best. Go slow to start the drilling then speed it up and do not put too much downforce on the drill. Good luck.