I tried taking out the L shaped bar today to replace the RAM in my MacBook. The first two screws came out really easily but the last one seemed to be stuck. So I tried turning the screwdriver really hard and I though I was unscrewing it but it looks like I stripped it. So now I'm screwed (no pun intended). So what should I do now? Should I bring it to an Apple Store and tell them to unscrew it and give me a new screw? Would they be able to do that on the spot? Or wil they refuse to do it because I'm intending to install 3rd party RAM? Please help. Thanks.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Screw Stuck and Stripped! What should I do?
- Thread starter jason2811
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i had the same problem with mine. only mine was on the mbp. How I eventualy got it out was I took it to my grandfathers jewlery store and he had a smaller screw driver than I had. My screw also wasnt completely stripped it had a little bit of the cross left not much though. so what i would recomend is try and find a smaller screw driver, also you might want to try the smallest flat head screw driver that might work as well.
As for the apple store, they might help out, i cant realy give advice on that because ive only been to one twice, and one was the NYC apple store just to look at it..anyways good luck on getting that screw out...oh and when you go to put the screws back in at least on my macbook pro I only put in 2 screws one on each side, none in the middle.
As for the apple store, they might help out, i cant realy give advice on that because ive only been to one twice, and one was the NYC apple store just to look at it..anyways good luck on getting that screw out...oh and when you go to put the screws back in at least on my macbook pro I only put in 2 screws one on each side, none in the middle.
If you're comfortable with the thought, you can always drill out the screw. I've done that on an older iBook before, and it worked fine. Problem is, you can screw up a rather expensive new MacBook if you mess up. Uh, maybe take it to the Apple Store first?
I've go a similar problem.
Would an Apple store help with a stripped/stuck screw on my external HD case? And do/would they charge?
Would an Apple store help with a stripped/stuck screw on my external HD case? And do/would they charge?
In most situations like this you drill it out like livingfortoday said. However if you mess up.......good luck. So you could try bringing it to an apple store and see if they will fix it for free in front of you. I bet they would.
Go to your local Sears (or home depot possibly) and get a screwout. You can either for a drill, or possibly a screwdriver. The screw out will drive itself into the head of the stripped screw and will allow you to take the screw out, hence the words screw out 
. They have micro screwouts for really small screws
. They have micro screwouts for really small screws
Go to the Apple Store, they'll fix it.
Arrange an appointment with a genius before you go though...
Arrange an appointment with a genius before you go though...
Try the needle nose pliers first, if you can get it out, go to home depot and bring them that screw. They'll always find one that looks like it.
If you Can't get the screw out with the pliers, go to the apple store and have them fix it as soon as possible before you start to hurt your Macbook with some home made concoction.
If you Can't get the screw out with the pliers, go to the apple store and have them fix it as soon as possible before you start to hurt your Macbook with some home made concoction.