Tiny screw fell into laptop?

[easytoremember]

A tiny screw is lodged somewhere within my laptop. What do I do?


I was performing the biannual dusting of the inside of my laptop when I dropped the screw into parts unknown. There was no telling where it fell, so I naturally tipped it over and started shaking it vigorously. It definitely didn’t fall out. I cannot hear anything moving when I shake it; most likely, the intense motion only got it more stuck.

I tried going to Geek Squad to see if it was something they could fix: it wasn’t. I did call around to some other places, but the prices seem to vary. It could be anywhere in the $50-$400 price range, once they had the opportunity to access the problem in-person. 

Where do I go from here? I’m aware I can’t just power it back on without frying the motherboard. I have a sager gaming laptop; the components and back are easily accessible/removable. However, I have zero experience with building or taking a part a computer, but I feel I might be capable of doing it if i had a proper tutorial. Should I just leave the problem to a computer specialist? Or would they try to cheat me?

Update: I did everything included in this video, and I didn't see the screw. My guess is that it's under the motherboard? (the thing in the middle in the video) http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSyH-gfSsxI

 

[okcnaline]

Scan the mobo with a flashlight. If you find it, be careful (maybe you've learned) with a screwdriver, and try and get it out.

Don't worry, I am hoping it'll be all right.

 

[geofelt]

I can sympathize with your problem.

Get a strong led flashlight and look into the opening where the screw was dropped. If you can see it, some tweezers or a magnetic tip screwdriver may be able to extract it.

I assume the screw was one that holds a cover to some part.
If you really can't find the screw, buy another to close up the panel and go ahead and use the laptop.
If the screw is really wedged, it is likely to not hurt anything.

If by chance, the laptop is still under warranty, and it does fail, then let sager handle the rma.

I have little confidence in many "PC specialists" unless I know them personally.
It might be best to contact sager and discuss the problem with them.

 

[anbello262]

I believe it would be a good option to look for youtube videos on how to disassemble the laptopt, and go ahead and do it yourself, carefully. I don't really trust commercial computer specialists...

If you don't dare, just use it anyways. The chances of having some kind of failure due to a screw are really slim (unless its clearly stuck on a cooler fan, but I think you would see it there)

 

[easytoremember]

I can sympathize with your problem.

Get a strong led flashlight and look into the opening where the screw was dropped. If you can see it, some tweezers or a magnetic tip screwdriver may be able to extract it.

I assume the screw was one that holds a cover to some part.
If you really can't find the screw, buy another to close up the panel and go ahead and use the laptop.
If the screw is really wedged, it is likely to not hurt anything.

If by chance, the laptop is still under warranty, and it does fail, then let sager handle the rma.

I have little confidence in many "PC specialists" unless I know them personally.
It might be best to contact sager and discuss the problem with them.

I did perform all the actions in this video (http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSyH-gfSsxI), and didn't see anything. I'm 100% certain it's in there somewhere. Should I attempt to remove the green boards, or could things go easily wrong from there?

And what would be a reasonable amount of money to pay someone to remove the screw?