How do I properly reseat my pentium4 478 CPU WITH the Heatsink on??

[josboh]

Ok, so in the short form I my computer wouldnt turn on. I smelled around the comp and it smelled like something had burned. It turns out that it was the PSU that blew. Well, I have replaced the PSU and the computer starts, but wont boot and I get no beeps. I had pulled of the processor in the process of checking what the burner smell was. I had put the processor back after I put the good PSU in. Well, I wasnt realizing or paying attention, but I hadnt reseatted the P4. But now that I look at it, how the heck do I reseat it and pull the CPU lever down with that big a** heatsink surrounding the CPU? Am I going to have to pull it off first? Arg, im so pissed for pulling it off in the first place.

 

[Some1ne]

Remove the HSF, reseat the CPU, then put the HSF back on. Also note the intermediate step of cleaning the thermal compound off the CPU and HSF and then applying a new layer.

 

[josboh]

Hmm...I figured as much. Thanks for the info.
So now I should ask before I screw up anything else big time: How do I properly remove the heatsink from the processor so as not incur ANY damage AND how do I properly clean the thermal compound off of the CPU?

 

[Some1ne]

How do I properly remove the heatsink from the processor so as not incur ANY damage

This is going to depend on what sort of mounting mechanism your HSF uses. Usually there will either be a spring-loaded clip/lever that you have to release, or clips on either side that you have to pry with a flathead screwdrive or other device. If you have a prebuilt then it's possible that your HSF uses some non-standard attachment mechanism. Regardless, you should be able to figure it out by just looking at it for a bit, and as long as you don't force anything then you shouldn't cause any damage.

how do I properly clean the thermal compound off of the CPU?

A cloth with water will work in a pinch, although denatured alcohol or nail polish remover works better. Just wipe it clean and you're done (though me sure to remember to reapply). The one thing to be mindful of is the CPU pins when you are handling it, don't bend them, and try not to let any of your cleaning solvent or thermal compound come into contact with them. The last thing you want (usually...there was an article awhile back that described how CPU multipliers could be unlocked by deliberately shorting a couple of pins on the CPU) is to create a short between two pins on your CPU that aren't supposed to have a short

 

[EatSpam]

I always clean the CPU when its in the socket so I don't have to worry about bent pins. Just a tip.

Also, rubbing alcohol evaporates really quickly, so don't worry if you get some on the motherboard. I always use rubbing alcohol as my last cleaning step to clean up any leftover acetone.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Do not use finger nail polish remover or acetone as it is a very aggressive solvent.

Only use alcohol. Even the most experianced can mess up using acetone.



...Galvanized

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Very carefully and slowly pry the processor from the heat sink with a thin blade. DO NOT bend any pins. They are very difficult to straighten. Remove the old compound with rubbing alcohol 90% if you can get it 70% if not. In some states you will have to ask the druggist for 90%. Put on a thin layer of compound. Too much will squeeze out and make a mess. Put the HS back on. Good luck, Jim

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Do not use finger nail polish remover or acetone as it is a very aggressive solvent.

Only use alcohol. Even the most experianced can mess up using acetone.

Sometimes acetone is necessary to clean off a really sticky heatsink compound. Its not my first choice, of course.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Do not use finger nail polish remover or acetone as it is a very aggressive solvent.

Only use alcohol. Even the most experianced can mess up using acetone.



...Galvanized

 

[josboh]

Thanks a lot for the helpful suggestions.
I also heard that you can use a hair dryer to help heat up the thermal compound and seperate the heatsink from the processor. Has anyone else heard this? Does it seem safe? Guess its all the same since the damn thing gets hot regardless when its running. Just wanted more opinions I guess.
I havent had the chance to go out and get compound all week, I probably wont be able to get it until this weekend. Guess I'll have to keep jacking the wife's laptop

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: josboh
Thanks a lot for the helpful suggestions.
I also heard that you can use a hair dryer to help heat up the thermal compound and seperate the heatsink from the processor. Has anyone else heard this? Does it seem safe? Guess its all the same since the damn thing gets hot regardless when its running. Just wanted more opinions I guess.
I havent had the chance to go out and get compound all week, I probably wont be able to get it until this weekend. Guess I'll have to keep jacking the wife's laptop

yeah, the hair dryer will help heat it. dont use the microwave or an oven or hot water...

heat up the HEATSINK and the processor btw... if you have a radiator sit it near by for like a minute and check on it every minute. the heatsink will get hot enough to cause pain, but it wont be that bad unless you overheated while heating it. wear a glove or something. i suggest maybe propping up the heatsink so that the processor is hanging. then see if the processor starts to shift a little starts falling down).