Removing cover screws in optical drive tray

On my GE62 I've tried using multiple sizes of Philips bits, but these three screws in the optical drive bay do not want to budge. What I have in my precision tool kit (Philips 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) doesn't work. I can feel the screw stripping a little bit if I exert any considerable torque.

Can anyone confirm a specific bit size that will get the job done? It seems I need a different cross pattern bit than Philips, like JIS, but I don't have any others in my kit. If someone knows a specific bit that works on these then I can look for one to purchase. Thanks.



edit - well, this guide says they are PH #0 2mm

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MSI+GE62+6QF+Apache+Pro+Hard+Drive+Replacement/98574

Maybe the screws are stuck. In that case, what would be the best way of loosening them? The heads are flat and thin, so grabbing them with something like pliers would be fairly difficult.

 

Using the right screw driver is important, so from the picture it doesn't look that bad and if you use the correct bit then you should still be able to loosen it without hassle.

 

A major problem is that the Philips head doesn't go deeply enough into the screw. So instead of the bit pushing against the vertical walls in the screw head, it's just pushing against the corners at the center and generating very little torque.

When I tried to loosen each of the three screws I could feel (and afterwards see) the heads being deformed/damaged, instead of feeling any rotation in the screws.

It's like I need a bit with a flat bottom instead of the angle heads on Philips bits. I also tried a flathead bit, but that didn't work either.

 

Have you switched to the correct bit after you've used an incorrect one?

 

As I mentioned in the OP I tried multiple Philips bits - I started with 2mm (allegedly the proper bit according to iFixit's guide), then I tried other sizes. Nothing works to loosen the screws, they would only strip the head if I exerted more force. If I was certain what bit was 'correct' and it worked, I wouldn't be asking.

So I'm hoping someone on this forum can confirm whether Philips works best on those types of screws (flat, wide head), or if I need a different crosshead type bit like JIS, and of course which size.

As it is, any Philips bit I tried does not have enough contact with the screw head - they barely touch the central corners on the screw, and thus they merely strip those corners instead of applying force onto the walls of the screw head pattern. Plus the screws feel stuck or over-tightened.

Do you know what the correct bit would be? I can't find anything directly from MSI. I may have to contact them.

 

Right. It is Philips 2mm, do you have to that type of bit to use? The depth is very shallow. You can also use flat head as long as you can get a good and firm fit for the bit.

 

you need to put pressure while unscrewing. Find the bit that can get deepest.

 

I was definitely applying downward pressure, but the Philips bits don't seem to be going deep enough into the head for it to matter. If I try to rotate I can feel and see the screw getting stripped. Really feels like the screws are over-tightened.

 

Not over-tightened, probably thread-locked (blue color liquid).