If you don't want to rma it, it might be best to just install the ssd in the secondary slot and deal tith the screw if you ever need a second ssd. If you know someone who likes to tinker with electronics, ask them to help you remove it
I Can’t the secondary slot is smaller and made for a square size SSD.
If you have a flathead screwdriver that fits into the screw head, you could try using that one while gently pressing down
I got it out by pulling it really hard, it looks like it may have been cross threaded, once I got it out and the SSD inserted it just snapped back in. It holds so I’m good. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Glad to hear! out of curiosity, is there anything else bothering you about it?
As for the hardware no problems at all. I installed Ubuntu on one drive with no problem but Windows is a bitch to install.
why wont the captive screw come out? Do you have the correctly sized screwdriver? Does it torque but not move, or is it stripping?
I’m not sure it’s captive but it won’t tighten or loosen, it just turns. I tried to see if the lower part of it would come out but I believe it’s bolted from the underside of the logic board.
the whole screw turns, or the screw driver is stripping the head?
If the whole screw is turning, try using a strong magnet to pull the screw out.
Could you take a photo to share?
Here is a photo. The pink square is the adhesive the screw to the left of it is the one to hold the lower secondary SSD then a little farther left is the one that will not come out. I’ll try the magnet idea. Thanks
Ok if the screw is rotating but not coming out, try the magnet trick, or try using a bit of glue to pull it out. If its rotating but not coming out at all, you can use a Dremel to cut the head off the screw.
If the screw isn't rotating at all (and your driver is rotating in a static screw head stripping it) then you can try a pair of vise grips, or other metal grippy device and grab the outside of the screw head and apply firm and consistent pressure to break the friction lock that has developed.
Worst case, RMA the motherboard if you can't remove the screw.
From your photo the teeth in the screw look a little chewed up, so I think your driver is slipping when you turn. You might want to use a larger driver and apply more downward pressure while rotating to ensure it doesn't slip between the teeth.
Hey I got it out. I had to use some pliers and pull it out, which is weird since it wasn’t really screwed in and it did t seem stripped. When putting the SSD back in it didn’t screw in, it just sort of snaps back into the hole. It holds the drive in so that works. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.