Rep: 1
1
Hello.
I was trying to remove the back cover on my Dell Latitude Rugged 5414 to upgrade the Ram, but two of the screws are too tight and stripped their heads. Can anyone give me some advice to house those screws and remove them? Could you use WD40 or a similar product?
Thanks.
Questa è una buona domanda?
Rep: 448,1k
11
366
1,4k
Hi @yerbito ,
Maybe try using a screw extractor to remove the screws.
Here’s a link that describes how to use them
Here’s a link to the ifixit Precision Screw Extractor Set
Here’s the owner manual that may help once you have it open. It describes the necessary pre-requisite steps and procedures to remove/replace most of the components in the laptop.
I would never pour/squirt etc any liquids into an electronic device especially if it still had power connected i.e. battery, as you don’t know what damage it may cause. All liquids conduct electricity to a certain degree (except distilled water) and these can create circuit paths between the components that weren’t in the operating design and could damage them.
There is always power on the motherboard in a laptop even when it is switched off. The Power On/Off switch is not a power isolating switch. Its function is to signal the intentions of the user. Think of the laptop as being in an extremely low power state when off and not completely isolated from any power. Even if you removed the battery first (which you should do anyway) there is still a chance of causing corrosion due to the chemical reaction between the liquid and the different metals found on the motherboard. My opinion is that it’s not worth the risk
Questa risposta è stata utile?
Hi. Thanks for your answer and thanks a lot for the owner manual. Can you give me more information of ifixit Precision Screw Extractor Set. Can that kit help me?
The screw extractor set should help as they are for smaller screws as found in electronics.
Also it is better to try with them first rather than resorting to having to drill the screw out or at least drill the head off the screw and then lift off the cover and unscrew the remainder of the screw with pliers etc which may cause cosmetic damage to the cover. You may have to do in the end anyway. Hopefully not.
The link I provided above explains how to use them. There are also videos online that show generally how to use screw extractors that may also help to explain how to use them.
Thanks for your comment. I have seen the videos and bought an extractor. I hope to get lucky
Rep: 28,4k
9
13
64
This is not a solution but how to avoid this problem in the first place.
This comes with experience. In my early days I also had this problem occur until I learnt the above steps.
Questa risposta è stata utile?
Thanks so much for your response. I was using the correct screwdriver, I was able to get several screws out, but there were two that were too tight and the head was damaged anyway. If I don't remove those screws, I won't be able to upgrade my laptop's ram.
Thanks for your comment. ;)
The corner screws on Latitude 5414 are VERY hard to get out. One would think Dell used an impact wrench to tighten them. Same happened to me. Had to drill off the heads.
Questa risposta è stata utile?
I really thought about using an impact wrench to get them out, but the only one available is from a friend's tractor repair shop. It is not a good idea. Before drilling the heads, I'll try a screw extractor.
Were you able to remove the rest of the screw after drilling the head?
Ultime 24 Ore: 0
Ultimi 7 Giorni: 7
Ultimi 30 Giorni: 11
Tutti i Tempi: 470
