Building First Computer - Problems! (Is this normal?)

[TunaOnWry]

Hi :

This is the CPU forum, so I hope it's the right place to ask this question. I just joined, and this is my first message.

I'm building my first computer, and have got almost all the components set to go. But I can't exactly figure out how to put the CPU into the motherboard.

It's an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ CPU, and an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard.

I lifted up the lever on the side of the ZIF socket, then lined up the triangle at the corner of the CPU with the corner of the ZIF socket where the lever arm is attached. Then, I carefully placed the CPU in the ZIF socket, and it seemed to go in ok, nice and flat. Next, I tried to lower the lever arm to lock the CPU in place, but the arm only goes a little way before it binds up.

I am reluctant to push hard on it, since I really really really don't want to ruin either the CPU or the motherboard. It seems to be stuck very bad, and I don't know what's going on. After trying this a couple of times, I removed the CPU and it looks ok. I turned the CPU over, and carefully sighted along all the little pins on its underside, but none of them appear to be bent.

Does anybody here have any ideas what might be going on? Once the CPU is set into place in the ZIF socket, does the lever arm have to be pushed real hard to made it go down? Is that normal?

If anyone has successfully gotten this kind of CPU to fit into an Asus motherboard, I would appreciate your advice on what to do next.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can give.

Dave

 

[jkj]

It shouldnt take a lot of force but if the cpu is seated properly I would try applying a bit more pressure. Make sure the cpu is sitting flush on the socket. No pins should be visible from a horizontal view.

 

[nippyjun]

I find that i usually have to use more force than I would have expected to push the arm down.

 

[Peter D]

Any chance there is a thermal diode or something of sorts in the middle of the ZIF socket? When I got my Abit NF7-S, I had trouble even placing the CPU in, it seemed like it was rocking around on something. There was a little diode or resistor or something in the middle, bent it a little and the CPU went in fine.

Welcome to AnandTech, BTW

 

[Qu1cK]

Mobo's can take lot of punishment, atleast from my experience so give the lever and good firm opsh down (not 2 violent). Also make sure the CPU is in properly and keep a finger on it as u push down the lever cuz sumtimes it pops up on you.

 

[nick1985]

man-up and push down on it

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: nick1985
man-up and push down on it

Yeah, put your purse down...

Seriously though... check for things like the thermal diodes people mentioned... mine doesn't bind, but it does have to get past a noticeably firm spot about half way.

 

[joe2004]

If it does not fit properly, just use a hammer. I used to do that and no problem. It also helps to put some superglue between the socket and CPU, avoid cheap brand. Once you seat the CPU properly you can nail is down to the motherboard but use only wood nails, they are good enough for plastic. If you have one of those metal CPUs, then you need to dril it first and then you can use screws. Hope it helps.

 

[murderburger]

The lever isnt binding up. Just press down firmly. When I replaced my pentium chip it didnt take much pressure. When I built an amd system that took a little more force. Just wait till you get to the part where your putting on the heatsink, you''ll be sweating bullets. Nothing like ruining a new chip or a motherboard with one slip of the hand. Good luck

 

[high]

man WTF are you talking about??? Using a hammer, supergluing, nailing....do NOT listen to this moron

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: high
man WTF are you talking about??? Using a hammer, supergluing, nailing....do NOT listen to this moron

I think it takes an even bigger moron to take what he said seriously...

 

[TunaOnWry]

Hi All

Thanks for the suggestions. I've looked for a diode that might be hanging things up, but it appears entirely unobstructed inside the ZIF socket area. The lever binds up almost immediately after I start trying to push it down, so the situation may not be related to the firm spot halfway down that Jeff7181 mentioned.

I'll try jiggling the CPU a little bit when I try again, which also will avoid the popping-out problem that Qu1cK brought up.

joe2004 : Those are all good tips, and I will follow your excellent advice. But, you overlooked the step where I should first hold a propane torch, at high heat, on the ZIF socket area for 3 - 5 minutes, to "soften up" the plastic, thus insuring a good fit. So, do I use the flame BEFORE applying the SuperGlue, or afterward?

"Once you seat the CPU properly you can nail is down to the motherboard but use only wood nails, they are good enough for plastic."

Right-On ! I'll use galvanized wood screws, extra length, to nail the CPU to the board after I get it installed. I plan on bending the ends of the nails that stick out from the underside of the motherboard, so as to provide additional holding power. Good idea??

(Back to "reality" now)

This actually is the first computer I've ever built. I don't know much about computers at all, but figured that if I put one together on my own, instead of just buying a Dell or something, I'd have a better idea of how to use it, too. Or anyhow, maybe I'll be a little better at figuring out what might go wrong later on. I'm a 57 year old guy who only started using computers about six years ago, so I'm upgrading my desktop box for the very first time. I might ask a few more dump questions in coming days, but I'll try to go to the appropriate forum when I do so. I selected the components on the basis of Guides and articles here on AnandTech.

One problem I have is that my hands don't work so well anymore; especially my right hand. Typing is difficult. For many, many years I was an enthusiastic big-wall rock climber and mountaineer, spending lots of time climbing in Yosemite Valley, elsewhere in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, and throughout the west. I suffered some nerve damage in my hands and fingers as a result of that, so holding the CPU and placing it down into the ZIF socket is a hair-raising experience, I can assure you!

Dave

 

[Jeff7181]

Well, now that I think about it, the level does sorta "lock" in the up position and it takes some force to move it past that.

If you take the CPU out, does the lever move freely?

Remembering back, there should be 3 firm spots... one right as you start to move the lever, one as you move it past half way, and then the final down position where it locks into place.

 

[murderburger]

Tuna if the lever goes up and down freely when the chip is out I think your fine. Also make sure the cpu is perfectly flat. Here is a couple links with videos that might be helpful.

1


2

 

[TunaOnWry]

Hi :

You guys are great. Thanks very much for the info., Jeff7181 and murderburger. Those links, especially, are really helpful. I think they're going to eliminate lots of stupid questions as I go forward with the build.

The lever does move completely freely when the CPU isn't in it. Having watched the videos that murderburger posted, I'm off to try to do the install as soon as I log off. Knowing about the three firm spots, Jeff7181, eases my mind a lot.

If you hear a huge groan from the region of Northern Calif., you'll know that I screwed up. But that will be no fault of yours.

Thanks again for helping with such a (for you) simple matter.

Dave (Tuna)

 

[nbarb99]

Good luck Tuna, hope you can get it working. As a PC builder, it always brings a smile to my face to see people who aren't afraid to try and build a PC even when they have little or no experience in the area.

 

[myocardia]

Tuna, just remember this: every one of us, even the ones with 35,000+ posts, had to start somewhere, with our first build. Good luck!

 

[OverVolt]

Originally posted by: nbarb99
Good luck Tuna, hope you can get it working. As a PC builder, it always brings a smile to my face to see people who aren't afraid to try and build a PC even when they have little or no experience in the area.

it sure is a little scary the first time around! i still remember my first build, it took forever. Most confusing thing was the power led, power sw, ect

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: OverVolt

Originally posted by: nbarb99
Good luck Tuna, hope you can get it working. As a PC builder, it always brings a smile to my face to see people who aren't afraid to try and build a PC even when they have little or no experience in the area.

it sure is a little scary the first time around! i still remember my first build, it took forever. Most confusing thing was the power led, power sw, ect

My first build was with a Cyrix 233MHz and PCChips motherboard. The assembly wasn't bad, but I sure freaked out when it didn't boot up on the first try. After tons of sweat, blood, and words that the parents wouldn't approve of from under my breath (just kidding... on the first two, anyway), I found that the floppy drive cable was inserted into the floppy drive upside-down (why can't they make these floppy drives with only one #$%&ing notch, not one on either side?!?).

Regarding the actual assembly process, my most scary time was the first AMD heatsink installation. The thought of ruining a $100 CPU (a lot of money to me) was frightening. However, once one has done the process a few times, it becomes very natural... scrounge up some swabs, a lint-free cloth, some alcohol (the kind for cleaning, not drinking), an old credit card for spreading the thermal compound, and the tube of Arctic Silver III that mom buried under a heap of vegetables in the fridge, and then it's time for fun.

Ok, enough rambling... Good luck, TOW, but beware - this can be very addicting (if my postcount isn't proof enough, the three DIY computers in my system profile should do it).

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Tuna,

I have a feeling you might need to simply push harder. I've built a few systems, but the last one (my current system) was 3 years ago, so I don't remember exactly how hard I needed to lock things down.

I don't remember the CPU locking lever being that difficult, but I do remember needing a flat head screwdriver to lock down the Heatsink/Fan to the CPU. That was a bit worrisome at first.

I'm in Santa Cruz, BTW, so if you are nearby I'd be happy to take a look. You can use this site's Private Messaging system to contact me (I think I have it enabled).


Good luck!

-D'oh!

 

[TotalImmortal]

A firend of mine killed an old Palomino like that, he forced the leaver 3/4s of the way down and there was a loud cracking straining noise... I found out about this when i was greeted by a deluge of obcenitys over the phone and him demanding that i come over quick and help him. So i get there, expecting to finde a resistor in the wrong place or a badly made sockit, but to my supprise and disbelief, the fool had jammed the cpu in to the sockit the wrong way round and bent about 1/2 the pins.
The moral is that id dosn't hurt to get someone who knows what they are doing to help on your first build. I learn't by pissing around with old 486s from boot sales so what i borke was worth next to nothing anyway..
Anyway, good luck and keep us posted how it goes.

 

[TotalImmortal]

A firend of mine killed an old Palomino like that, he forced the leaver 3/4s of the way down and there was a loud cracking straining noise... I found out about this when i was greeted by a deluge of obcenitys over the phone and him demanding that i come over quick and help him. So i get there, expecting to finde a resistor in the wrong place or a badly made sockit, but to my supprise and disbelief, the fool had jammed the cpu in to the sockit the wrong way round and bent about 1/2 the pins.
The moral is that id dosn't hurt to get someone who knows what they are doing to help on your first build. I learn't by pissing around with old 486s from boot sales so what i borke was worth next to nothing anyway..
Anyway, good luck and keep us posted how it goes.

 

[selfbuilt]

Slightly off topic: anyone here remember the good old days before ZIF sockets? Man, pulling early 486s was a lot of fun with out the proper tools!

In this case, I agree with the general consensus .... if everything is lined up correctly, a little more force is probably all that is required (as long as nothing is blocking your way). Good luck!