How do I get this @#%!&! screw out??

[Sludgedragon]

Followed the take-apart instructions for the Pismo to change out the sound card. There were significantly fewer screws than there were places for! Then I got to this place where I'm supposed to be able to take the top cover off, and I'm stuck. This one screw:

acts like it's going around when I try to unscrew it, but it won't come up, won't shake out, won't pry out. I don't really want to use brute force because I'd rather not break anything unnecessarily. I wonder if the lower right screw that was behind the port cover, that was so much harder to get out than its fellows, damaged the problem screw. It might have been too long and impinged on it.

What a pain in the patoot.

 

[Unknown_K]

Most likely the screw is screwed into a plastic post that has broken off at the base so when you try to unscrew it it just spins around forever.

If so you will have to drill out the screw, fix the broken post, and get another screw.

 

[tomlee59]

If it is just spinning around, then whatever it's connected to isn't holding that part of the case down. So, you may not have to do anything special to disassemble the case. Once you get it open, it should be easy to remove the broken post (if that's what it is; sure sounds like it) without having to do anything tricky.

 

[Sludgedragon]

Unfortunately it's doing an excellent job of holding that spot together. I already tried just pulling it apart, no luck. It just won't move up, like something's holding it in place that shouldn't, or it has a bit sticking out that keeps it there.

 

[wally]

... I wonder if the lower right screw that was behind the port cover, that was so much harder to get out than its fellows, damaged the problem screw. It might have been too long and impinged on it.
What a pain in the patoot.

If the screw got partially stripped by another, the stripped section when backed into a nut can spin with the remaining good section of screw acting as sort of a loose rivet head. So tightening such a screw will often properly tighten, while backing it out starts to work then stalls and spins on the stripped section. It's sometimes possible to start the remaining good screw section threading if the head can be strongly lifted relative to the nut while turning counterclockwise, but there is the risk of jamming and/or stripping the nut if crossthreading occurs. Tough call whether to tighten the screw then drill it out, or try backing it out with simultaneous lifting force. If the screw will not even tighten properly and just spins, it might have to be glued in place just to drill or grind it out.

 

[tomlee59]

It's hard to tell from your photos, but is there access to the screw's body through a gap (closer to the rear of the 'book)? If so, you might be able to use a slender needlenose to grab the spinning part, possibly allowing you to unscrew the thing.

 

[Sludgedragon]

From the back

you can see daylight and the scenery beyond through the upper screw hole, darkness and mystery beyond the bottom hole. These are lined up directly with the problem screw and perpendicular to it. I have tried unscrewing with simultaneous upward leverage from a tiny flathead screwdriver. I also tried screwing it back in, and that had no perceptible result, either. This is getting to be quite the little puzzle.

I suppose that for a PB that came 5 in a box for $39.86 including the shipping, I should be glad things are not worse... :-/

 

[Christopher]

it looks to me the actual metal slot that the screw goes into has broke away from the plastic on the pismo casing. Happened to me a few times with my iBook Clamshells. Fortunately I had 3 extra cases to tray again on. But seeing as how you have stuff in that case, I would try as much as possible to get all your parts out and just get a new bottom or top case witch ever the screw is in and just replace it that way. It is WAY easier to do that.

 

[Quadraman]

Get yourself a small flat blade screwdriver and slide it under the head of the screw and try prying up with one hand while loosening it with the other. A second person may be required.