If you do any handy work at all you will eventually need a torx screwdriver set. Torx is a brand name used to identify screwdrivers that have a six sided star head. They are not a Phillips head or flat blade. You also cannot use an allen wrench.
You’ll find these screw on cars, elctronic components and many security type devices.
Torx Drivers come in all types of sizes. They use a numbering system that is generally quite easy to understand. The larger the number is, the larger the head of the driver. A T8 Torx screwdriver has a smaller head size than a T9 screwdriver. Torx drivers can also be referred to as hollow shaft or solid shaft. The numbering system works the same, but the Torx Drivers with a hollow center shaft will have the designation of an “H” at the end. As an example a solid shaft Torx driver will be referred to as a T8, while the same Torx driver with a hollow shaft will be referred to as a T8H, where the “H” designates the hollow shaft.
There are also special types of Torx Drivers that are referred to as Security Bit Sets. These Security Bit sets allow you the same convenience as the drivers, but contain just the bits which can be interchanged using a common screwdriver handle with a hollow shaft that allows the bits to fit into. The advantage to Security Bit Sets is they can be purchased rather inexpensively. The disadvantage is their size, as they may not fit into tight places found in electronics equipment.
There is another type of sepciality type of security screwdriver that are a little different than Torx Drivers. The spanner type of screwdriver has a two pronged tip that spans over a center tip in the security screw. Although this type of security screw is not nearly as popular as the traditional star type screw, it is becoming more prevalent in newer electronic equipment.
The manufacturers use these security screws in their equipment to assure that this type of equipment is repaired by trained Electronic Technician. Just remember that in many cases removing these security screws will void the warranty of your equipment.