How can I take off those really stripped screws from the CPU heatsink?
How can I take off those really stripped screws from the CPU heatsink?
I made a big error by trying to force three screws and removed three safely thanks to a cheap Chinese screwdriver set. I plan to change my thermal paste to MX-4 myself, which is usually straightforward—especially since I’ve done it before on old PCs and laptops. Now I’m unsure how to remove those three screws, especially one that’s almost completely stripped. Two can still turn, but I’m not sure. I tried a rubber band, failed, then used cyanoacrylate glue for 30 minutes, but it didn’t stick well. I waited for the glue to set and even bought it at night, but it wasn’t strong enough. I was worried the screwdriver might damage it. I hoped for more power to turn the screws, but he seemed upset when I accidentally broke one. There aren’t many options—getting it from a local store feels risky because I doubt anyone has the right screws, and I’m worried about damaging other parts. The stripped screw is near the heat pipe and CPU, which makes things tricky. I have the big ones, but not the small ones. I grabbed a grinder and thought soldering might help, but that’s too dangerous on the circuit board. I could probably find replacements online for the M2x3 screws, which are standard. It’s not an emergency, so feel free to share any ideas that might work.
I can't display images directly, but I can help you find a picture of the damaged screw or guide you on how to locate it. Let me know if you'd like instructions or a link!
I'm just a bit sloppy with organizing things. Honestly, I didn't post any pictures today. The first photo is what it should look like. The second one is the worst. The third and fourth are attempts, though not quite as bad as the second. @minibois @HelpfulTechWizard I should have mentioned using regular pliers—the kind Tekiro uses. It looks like the screws' base are too thin and they tend to slip.
It's not just left raw, it's fully finished... you can find screw removers that work this way—they slice through the screw and take it out. [Note] |Regretfully, it IS stripped, but I use the term 'rounded out' when people say it, since 'stripped' is what I actually call it when the threads are gone.
They seem to be in a similar situation. The screw base matches the diameter of the screw quite closely, and it's positioned very near the SMD resistors, which could easily cause a mistake if not careful. Probably a surprise twist.
It might function if you're willing to drill near the CPU and GPU, but caution is important.