Pixey---Thanks for the suggestion for the magnetized screwdriver, which would have saved me a few brain cells in his process. I actually have a magnetized Phillips head screwdriver, but the shaft was too large to fit into the hole. My other Phillips head driver was too short to reach that screw!!  So, I ended up having to use my non-magnetized, very skinny shaft driver, which took a lot of patience and many tries to insert it in straight and engage the screw. But I was determined!!  The plastic piece (the thread cutter cover) actually has a guide molded into the inside of the piece that acts as a "target" to guide the driver to its destination, but you have to be able to locate and see that guide, which is two small ridges, or "fins" that guide the tip of the driver towards the location of the screw. ALso,, obviously, your driver has to be long enough. I will definitely invest in the longer, slightly "fatter" driver and reserve it for my exclusive use in my sewing room.   As for hoping for improvements in the upcoming model, it looks like we will have a long wait. Apparently, Janome is not introducing new models at this time due to difficulty in obtaining the required electronic chips from China for making the machines. I wonder if other machine manufacturers will announce similar news?   If I had my wish, my MC500e model would have automatic raising and lowering of the foot, and the needle threader button/handle would swing up and out of the way, or be located better.   I'm just sayin'......

Happy stitching----and thank you to all who have offered suggestions and advice.

Kathy Strabel    Camas WA