R40e and threaded HD removal screw

[glass-half-full]

I just got a used R40e in fantastic condition. It only has a 20GB HD which I am tempted to change to a 7K60 I have at the moment. I am a little bothered about the heat buildup of the faster drive but I thought I would go for it anyway.

BUT - the screw which releases the HD cover is threaded !!!!

[censored]! anyone got any bright ideas about how I can get to this screw from within the case and how I might get a replacement (if and) when I get this one out ?

Maybe this is an omen telling me NOT to put the 7k60 into it.....

I am in the UK.

[SeanM]

BUT - the screw which releases the HD cover is threaded !!!!

Do you mean that the head of the screw is stripped, so you can't get a grip on it with a screwdriver?

[glass-half-full]

Not quite - I mean the screw is just turning and turning and turning but not coming out. Even if I angle it and tip it upside down

[censored] thing.
I undid the entire Thinkpad but could not get to the other side of the screw, as its underneath the main motherboard.

[MrBean]

Hello Glass,
Ok, what I usually do in a case like this, is quite simple: Take a small flat-blade(flat-tip) jewellery screwdriver, and wedge it lightly between the case, and the head of the screw, so, when you tilt the screwdriver's handle towards the housing of the laptop, it is as if you want to lift it out from the screwhole......

At the same time, take another screwdriver, proper size for the screw, and slowly start turning the stripped screw counter-clockwise, while at the same time you are still exerting a little pressure with the 1st screwdriver on the back of the head of the screw....

It works everytime, and is easy.

Let me know if my explanation sucks...then I will make a small powerpoint drawing or something.....

Br,
MrBean.

[glass-half-full]

H MrBean.
Unfortunately, I have been trying that all day - the extent that I am causing damage to the casing now by putting too much pressure on it.

[SeanM]

Ahh, I understand. That screw threads into a brass insert in the hard drive bezel. It sounds to me like that brass insert has broken loose. I have no idea how you'd go about fixing that. My guess is that the only way you'll get the drive out is by breaking the bezel, then breaking the bottom cover where it holds that hard drive screw.

If you just went ahead and broke the hard drive bezel, you might be able to get a grip on the part that's spinning inside with some pliers, and remove the screw. But that's about the best case I can imagine.

[glass-half-full]

I have ordered some service manuals to get an idea of what I am facing here. I considered drilling it out but I suspect I am going ot have to completely remove everything and try to push it out from inside.

Breaking the bezel sounds like fun but I might be faced with that. all I need now are restore disks... (separate thread...)

thanks for the advise.