Some alienware 15 users report stripped screw holes when trying to open the bottom cover

My Alienware 15 was serviced and everything went okay but I want to be able to open this machine myself ofcourse. I am techsavvy but I read various threads about users that botched the screw holes after trying to remove the bottom panel to acces the memory and harddisks.

What are the opinions about this one this forum and what causes this? I know there is some sort of washers used on the inside of these panels that hold the screws in place. So what is the proper procedure to open these machines without damaging the screw threads?

People that had issues with this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/3ef66s/alienware_15_stripped_screw_hole_covered_in/
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19642235

 

i disassembled my AW 15 R1 like 4 times before, and you only need to worry about Flex cables, just take care )

 

Its fairly straightforward from what I saw. BUt how did you remove the backpanel? Did you screw the screws right out and drop the washers? or did you unscrew it a little, then pry the plate open and unscrew the rest?

Because now I came across 10 cases where people tried to remove the backpanel and ended up with stripped screw holes.

 

@rinneh When the dell tech came to check my screen he removed the bottom panel and broke the plastic on the maintenence panel itself where one of the screws was. Dell sent me a new panel which fixed the issue. I would guess people are stripping the actual screw holes because they are not aligning the screw properly and crossthreading/stripping it. The panel is tricky to remove as the clips holding it down are strong. I would recommend unscrewing the 2 screws 3/4 the way then go around all edges with a plastic pry tool dont go to deep inside though. Then unscrew all the way, continue prying around the edges. To put back in place clip bottom in first at 45 degree angle then push sides and screw it down. Just take your time the screws shouldnt take alot of force to screw in, if they do try to press sides of panel to get it to clip in.

 

Thank you for your insight! Wouldnt it be better then to ditch the metal clamps/washers? This would prevent crossthreading/stripping the screws right?

 

I dont find the metal clips on screws get in the way really, its just that the platic clips on the panel itself are so stiff to attach and remove. If the screw isnt going in easy its probably not going in straignt.

 

But most seems to damage the screwhoel threads while removing the screws the first time because of those screw clamps/washers. So that is why i think to remove them.

The palstic clips on the panel are indeed a pain in the ass. I rather had that panel without clips and just 4 screws.