PM>  Which reminds me of another problem: I vaguely
PM>  remember a thread here on how to extract one of
PM>  those screws with a star-shaped slot with a pin in
PM>  the center.

"Security" Torx.

PM>  Did anyone find a solution to removing that type
PM>  of screww when this was being discussed here?

You can buy the special drivers, or....

I usually just take a replaceable Torx bit (the inch long ones)
and use a hacksaw to cut a slot across the center of the tip, just
deep enough for the pin to not bottom out, and just wide enough to
clear the pin so the bit won't collapse inward and strip the points.

  * SLMR 2.1a *

--- Maximus 3.01