13 R3, back cover does not come off

Question

I am trying to replace the battery. The first step is to remove the laptop back cover. I loosened the cover 5 screws, but I was not able to remove the screws. After watching a few videos online, I came to the conclusion that perhaps it is not necessary to remove the screws and it is sufficient to loosen them up. I tried to pry the cover using a plastic tool with the screws loosened (but still in the cover) and I was able to insert the tool under the cover just at the corners of the laptop and that was not sufficient to pop the cover off.

Could somebody kindly let me know the following:

Should the cover screws be removed completely to get the cover off?
If yes, what is the procedure to get the screws off?
If not, how can be determined if the screws have been loosened sufficiently?
Any recommendations on how to get the cover off

Please note that this is not a problem of wrong screwdriver or stripped screws. The screws turn normally in both directions and I can tighten them back if I want to.

Thanks

JOcean · Accepted Answer

Those are captive screws and cannot be removed. The service manual also instructs you to use a plastic scribe to loosen the retaining clips around the perimeter of the cover. The support page can be found here. This video should help as well.

AWX17 · Answer

Yes, Mate, those screws? They have little retaining-clips on the other side. The screws aren't supposed to come completely out. I thinks it's so they don't get lost.
It's good you are using plastic to pry with.... haha.
Triple check JOcean's links...you will get it. Once they snap-together? They need to snap-apart....Just be gentle.

Charles379 · Answer

13R3 removal of base cover.jpg

JOcean, AWX17,

Thanks for your replies. I followed your suggestions and, using different/thinner plastic scribes, I was able to release the retaining clips in the areas marked in yellow in the attached picture The back cover, however, is still attached to the laptop in the areas marked in red. The central screw, marked with a green arrow, was loosened as the other four screws, but it still appears to be firmly connected. I am not very concerned about the long area marked in yellow on the opposite side of the laptop. I think that if the central screw can be disconnected the cover will rotate up on the side of the computer where the screws are and the entire base cover will come off. The problem is to disconnect the central screw or disconnect whatever keeps the cover attached in the area where the screw is. There is no way of forcing the scribes in near the screw.

Regards

Charles379 · Answer

Correction (lines 5 and 6):  I am not very concerned about the long area marked in red on the opposite side of the laptop.

Charles379 · Answer

JOcean,  AWX17, I managed to remove the back cover and replace the battery of 13R3 laptop.  The problem was that cover central captive screw appeared to be loose, but in reality was still engaged.

JOcean · Answer

Glad to hear it and happy to help out!

Alienware

13 R3, back cover does not come off

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