Proc stuck to stock HSF? Please help. n00b question >_<

[djIhcoro]

Well, when I pulled the stock HSF off, my processor was stuck to that black pad on the bottom. It's a P4 478 socket if that matters. What should I do to get it off? Thanks

 

[akira34]

Hold the heatsink firmly in one hand and very gently turn the processor on the heatsink (hold it upside down while doing this, or pin side of the processor up). You shouldn't need to use too much force to get the processor to start to turn. Once it does, gently slide it either to or away from you. That's about all it takes to break the 'seal' holding the chip onto the heatsink. Clean up both before you use them again, and apply fresh thermal compound.

 

[djIhcoro]

Sweet, it worked. Thanks.

 

[akira34]

No prob... I did the same thing with my Athlon64 last night... I've done it before, so I knew it would work and not damage anything... I also use denatured alcohol to clean both the heatsink and processor. That way, I'm 100% certain none of the old compound is on either. Granted, most people don't reuse the stock heatsink, but some do. If I could find a good use for mine, I'd use it... It just can't compare with the large hunk 'o copper that I've installed.

 

[Taejin]

Denatured alcohol 😵. I thought the term 'denatured' was talking about proteins losing their quaternary structure..

 

[akira34]

It's a better cleaner... I used it to clean the glue residue off of the SLK-948U on Friday... That was really on there and some nasty stuff... I don't even think I have regular rubbing alc. in the house. Denatured takes thermal compound off of hardware faster than you can think. I've also used it to clean other nasty glue residue off of drafting tables (had linoleum on it for a cover, that was glued on). Smells 'nice' and you need to crack a window in that case, but not as much when working on heatsinks and such... Good stuff that can be found at most hardware stores and paint supply shops...