Acer Predator Helios 300 (G3-572-73FH) Access to M.2 slot for SSD upgrade - Stripped screws

PhamWam

Hi, I bought this laptop on Amazon a while back and it didn't come with an SSD and I recently bought an M.2 500gb SSD to upgrade it.

Upon watching videos on how to install said SSD, I opened the panel where the HDD is stored to find that the two screws on the left of the HDD locking it in place are stripped. I just need to remove the HDD to take off the back cover in order to install the SSD but I can't remove it because of the screws. I've tried researching ways to remove the stripped screws but to no avail (rubber band trick). Unless I go out and buy a screw extractor kit, i'm stuck with not being able to open the back cover and I kind of want to avoid spending money on just opening this thing once to install my SSD.

Is it possible to take off the back cover to access the M.2 slot without removing the HDD, or is there a better technique for removing the stripped screws or will I have to resort to buying that screw extractor kit if I want to avoid damaging the plastic.

Thanks in advance

brummyfan2

Hi @PhamWam
If the two screws(red arrows) are damaged, remove all other screws, then you need to disconnect the sata cable from the HDD(black arrow), if there's no room to disconnect the cable, open the back cover slowly without damaging the cable connection in the MB, disconnect the cable in MB.

HDD cable connector is near the fan on the MB.