The spare screw conundrum

[Derek Smith]

I've just replaced an HDD in my desktop. I've put the old one in a caddy. While the sides to the case were off, I've moved some of the wires, tidying up, albeit for no particular reason. It looks nice.

What does everyone else do when they find they've got a screw over? Not doubt you will check that everything is firmly in place, is secured satisfactorily, and that nothing is hanging.

Then what? I mean, apart from worry.

[Big_Dog]

I put them in a small tin with all the others. If you throw them in randomly they can spark a bit.
Once had an IBM engineer fix a laptop for me and he spent ages listing all the screws as he took them out. Probably the difference between an amateur and a professional.

[tight fart]

It's a well know fact that computers have more screws than they need.

Don't worry about it.

You could always ask Alex where it goes!

[Derek Smith]

I've opened the computer again, tried everything that is fixed to something else, and it's all secure. This doesn't help by concerns though.

The only thread related explanation is that the computer is screwing with me.

[megaphone]

Why not take another screw out and then screw the spare screw in its place?

[alorotom]

just one left over ... amateur!

[Zirconia]

Sellotape it to the side then find it some years down the line and wonder who sellotaped a screw there.

Edit. To qualify that some. We used to tape redundant parts, blanks, nuts and bolts etc. to the kit it was from. Sometimes blanks would be put back in place when connectors or cards changed and upgraded. Seems to work when it was on the road all the time and sometimes kit was shifted around as required in car parks.

Edited by Zirconia on Saturday 25th April 11:47

[Derek Smith]

megaphone said:

Why not take another screw out and then screw the spare screw in its place?

Genius.

I've got previous. I used to have a pre-unit 650 Triton (a motorbike made of a combination of two different makes). I stripped the engine, replacing crank, conrods and pistons. I was left with a rather thick washer. I put it to one side.

I had massive vibration. Footrests would fall off (try changing gear - not easy), lights would blow, and teeth would be powdered. I took it to a mechanic who said that 'some idiot' (can't think who) had left off the crankshaft spacer. I had to buy a new crank, conrods and pistons.

So you can see why I get a bit nervous.

[anonymous-user]

My PCs over the years generally have ended up with extra HDs hanging inside from just one screw, or cable ties holding stuff up / down / in / out, so far nothing has broken so I think they're pretty robust in general. In my current PC the long end of the GFX card is being held up with a cable tie wrapped around the HD bay as it sagged by about an inch otherwise.

[Penelope Stopit]

Not sure if have understood the problem

Read the OP as......

4 screws were removed from an HDD cage, HDD was removed and new HDD was put in its place, 4 screws were then used to fasten new HDD in place

In summary

4 screws removed and later refitted

1 screw has appeared from somewhere

Right or wrong?

Hate a screw over from any job, eats away at me it does, it's the not knowing

Solution is to place problem at back of mind

Where did it come from though?????

Someone playing games and added a screw to confuse things? It is standard workshop practice

[Derek Smith]

Penelope Stopit said:

Not sure if have understood the problem

Read the OP as......

4 screws were removed from an HDD cage, HDD was removed and new HDD was put in its place, 4 screws were then used to fasten new HDD in place

In summary

4 screws removed and later refitted

1 screw has appeared from somewhere

Right or wrong?

Hate a screw over from any job, eats away at me it does, it's the not knowing

Solution is to place problem at back of mind

Where did it come from though?????

Someone playing games and added a screw to confuse things? It is standard workshop practice

That's about it. At the same time, I moved a card that I felt was too near the GPU and possibly disrupting the airflow, meaning an additional screw was removed but, obviously, replaced.

I'm fastidious in such matters. I know the sound a 1 5/16" socket makes as it makes its way through the radiator of an MGB. Since that, rather expensive, episode, I count them out, and I count them in. There's the possibility that a screw has fallen from something else, but nothing's obvious.

The last thing I did was to replace my old GPU and replace it. The new one took two screws, so I added one.

I know I will have another check. I can't put it to the back of my mind.

[TPSA7514]

Is it not from the caddy a fixing screw from one of the sides ?
In some caddies the PCB board also connects to the drive

[hutchst]

What's the gestation period for computer screws? You could be a Daddy.

[Penelope Stopit]

Derek Smith said:

Penelope Stopit said:

Not sure if have understood the problem

Read the OP as......

4 screws were removed from an HDD cage, HDD was removed and new HDD was put in its place, 4 screws were then used to fasten new HDD in place

In summary

4 screws removed and later refitted

1 screw has appeared from somewhere

Right or wrong?

Hate a screw over from any job, eats away at me it does, it's the not knowing

Solution is to place problem at back of mind

Where did it come from though?????

Someone playing games and added a screw to confuse things? It is standard workshop practice

That's about it. At the same time, I moved a card that I felt was too near the GPU and possibly disrupting the airflow, meaning an additional screw was removed but, obviously, replaced.

I'm fastidious in such matters. I know the sound a 1 5/16" socket makes as it makes its way through the radiator of an MGB. Since that, rather expensive, episode, I count them out, and I count them in. There's the possibility that a screw has fallen from something else, but nothing's obvious.

The last thing I did was to replace my old GPU and replace it. The new one took two screws, so I added one.

I know I will have another check. I can't put it to the back of my mind.

Ok then, strange one isn't it

Every aircraft builders biggest nightmare

Are all 5 screws of the same material, size and type of head, thread and length ?

Was the HDD removed from the lowest rack slot ? Thinking the mystery screw was sat there loose below the removed HDD

[anonymous-user]

Penelope Stopit said:

Derek Smith said:

Penelope Stopit said:

Not sure if have understood the problem

Read the OP as......

4 screws were removed from an HDD cage, HDD was removed and new HDD was put in its place, 4 screws were then used to fasten new HDD in place

In summary

4 screws removed and later refitted

1 screw has appeared from somewhere

Right or wrong?

Hate a screw over from any job, eats away at me it does, it's the not knowing

Solution is to place problem at back of mind

Where did it come from though?????

Someone playing games and added a screw to confuse things? It is standard workshop practice

That's about it. At the same time, I moved a card that I felt was too near the GPU and possibly disrupting the airflow, meaning an additional screw was removed but, obviously, replaced.

I'm fastidious in such matters. I know the sound a 1 5/16" socket makes as it makes its way through the radiator of an MGB. Since that, rather expensive, episode, I count them out, and I count them in. There's the possibility that a screw has fallen from something else, but nothing's obvious.

The last thing I did was to replace my old GPU and replace it. The new one took two screws, so I added one.

I know I will have another check. I can't put it to the back of my mind.

Ok then, strange one isn't it

Every aircraft builders biggest nightmare

Are all 5 screws of the same material, size and type of head, thread and length ?

Was the HDD removed from the lowest rack slot ? Thinking the mystery screw was sat there loose below the removed HDD

Also you could compare the wear marks on the back of the head of the mystery screw to the various holes on the case, you might be able to find a match, I assume you have a microscope but if not you can buy one for a reasonable price, I saw this police documentary with a detective Calahan doing a similar procedure with bullets.