Alienware M15X cpu socket / heatsink screw loose

Hello all, i was doing my usual re-pasting and noticed that i cannot screw 1 of 4 socket / heatsink screw back. Which may leave no contact between the heatsink and CPU die. I turned the screw as usual with screw driver and applied minimum pressure while screwing but no luck. Any work around so heatsink / paste can have equal pressure on the die ? Thanks



Sent from my Galaxy S4 CyanogenMod 11

 

You could try just using 2 screws on opposite corners and the leave the opposite corner to the broken one loose. This will lower the overall pressure but at least keep it even.

 

in this case I will use the spread method rather than line method for pasting. Let me try it ... Thanks for the idea

 

I tried it the 2 screws ... back lid cannot close ... screwed the 3 and as for the 4th one, I have to devise a way to push it down ... on idle temps are fine but on max load 4th core (7,8 thread) temps are very high ... I cant believe it !!! Lol ... one of those days ... bad luck ! never had issues with my lovely M15X ... feeling a bit sad abt it, love my machine to bits ...

 

You need to buy another CPU heat sink support plate. It is the aluminum bracket shown in this photo of the underside of an M15x motherboard. I searched online for a part number for this item and don't see it anywhere. See if yours has a part number sticker on it. It might be possible to use the support plate from any laptop with a first-generation Core i7 CPU as long as it does not interfere with anything on the PCB or chassis. This part is serviced by Alienware on second and third generation Core i7 laptops and probably is for the M15x and M17xR2 if the part is still available.

 

Does the screw turn and doesn't hold? I mean, there has to be some visible damage either to the screw or to the screw nut, or what it's called.
Try to either force it to go in, or if it does and doesn't hold, try to wrap the screw in some aluminium foil before screwing it in.

 

The heatsink and its screws are fine but the socket screw, i inserted a screw in the damaged screw hole and the screw went straight inside. Rest screw holes i placed a screw on them and didn't go in and u have to turn it using screw driver to tighten it. So basically the socket screw is the problem.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 CyanogenMod 11

 

Need to look for it. Thank God there is a vid on youtube on how to disassemble ur M15X completely. Might be handy for me incase i get the part number.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 CyanogenMod 11

 

Try to wrap the screw in aluminium foil, the one that is used for cooking will do just fine. It'll make the screw a bit larger while keeping its "dented" shape. If the screw hole is not totally FUBAR it may work

Edit: be sure to wrap enough aluminium foil on the screw until it doesn't go in the screw hole, then force it go in with a screwdriver.

 

Gonna try it. I am not gonna ditch me lovely M15X so soon. Wanna drag it another 4 years

Sent from my Galaxy S4 CyanogenMod 11

 

I can confirm this works all 4 sides are seated evenly ! *Chopsy Aluminium Mod* just got the time to sort it out



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Hahaha, I'm glad it works