Lost screw in Power Mac G4

macuser1232 · Aug 5, 2012

Hey I was replacing my graphics card when I was putting the only screw I needed to unscrew back it fell somewhere and I can't see it anywhere. I have a small idea of where it is but I can unscrew the small screws to check. Will this screw do any harm? I have three other screws that I can use to replace it and I'm going to a hardware store to get another one.

pigoo3 · Aug 5, 2012

macuser1232 said:
Will this screw do any harm?

Yes...it very well may cause harm. Those screws are made of metal...and if the computer is turned on...or if the screw shifts it's location...it very well could short out a couple of circuits on logic board or elsewhere...and could result in totally trashing the computer.

Find that screw!!!

- Nick

macuser1232 · Aug 5, 2012

pigoo3 said:
Yes...it very well may cause harm. Those screws are made of metal...and if the computer is turned on...or if the screw shifts it's location...it very well could short out a couple of circuits on logic board or elsewhere...and could result in totally trashing the computer.

Find that screw!!!

- Nick

Ok I found it! Would it be too much of a risk to make a paper clip magnetic and get it? I don't think it's close to any motherboard parts.

pigoo3 · Aug 5, 2012

macuser1232 said:
Ok I found it! Would it be too much of a risk to make a paper clip magnetic and get it? I don't think it's close to any motherboard parts.

I don't know exactly where the screw is stuck...but personally...I would stay away from:

- anything metal
- anything magnetic
- definitely have the computer unplugged
- and ground yourself out by wearing a wrist grounding strap or by touching the case of the power supply

I try to find something wooden or plastic to "fish" the screw out.

Good luck,

- Nick

macuser1232 · Aug 5, 2012

pigoo3 said:
I don't know exactly where the screw is stuck...but personally...I would stay away from:

- anything metal
- anything magnetic
- definitely have the computer unplugged
- and ground yourself out by wearing a wrist grounding strap or by touching the case of the power supply

I try to find something wooden or plastic to "fish" the screw out.

Good luck,

- Nick

That sucks.. Would you like me to upload a picture of where it fell and then a picture of what it looks like on the outside? I think it's impossible to fish it out but if a paper clip was magnetic I may be able to get it out.

pigoo3 · Aug 5, 2012

macuser1232 said:
That sucks.. Would you like me to upload a picture of where it fell and then a picture of what it looks like on the outside? I think it's impossible to fish it out but if a paper clip was magnetic I may be able to get it out.

Hey...anything helps (photo). But what I would suggest (if possible)...is lay the computer on the side where the screw is stuck. This way...as you fish it out...it won't fall deeper into things.

- Nick

macuser1232 · Aug 5, 2012

I was able to get it out by turning it upside down!!

Thanks for your help!

pigoo3 · Aug 5, 2012

macuser1232 said:
I was able to get it out by turning it upside down!! Thanks for your help!

I thought that maybe you had already tried that. That would have been the first thing I would have tried!

Congrats getting it out!

- Nick

Lost screw in Power Mac G4

macuser1232

pigoo3

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