thermal paste to be replaced if dried out?

[wjgollatz]

I was installing new anti-virus software on my parents laptop when I realized that the exhaust fan was running at 100%, and no heat was coming out. I installed some temperature software that I used on my other laptop (exact same build, I bought them at the same time - only difference was a 0.2 gigahertz slower cpu and smaller capacity hard drive). My laptop will exhaust heat. (laptops ate 258Ka5's, AMD anthlon 64 3200+ and 3400+) (yes I have sprayed canned air through the ducts)

Whether or not my software was accurate, I know that my laptop idles at 28-32, and under load at 60. When the fans and ducts need canned air, it will get to 80-85 under load. Their laptop was at 44 -50 idle, spiking to 90 for some operations.

I looked under my laptop , removing the thermal ducts for the first time (I just replaced it - screen went bad, wireless card went bad, integrated lan went bad) and instead of a thermal paste, its just looks like someone painted white over parts. I figured my laptop was used alot more than their email laptop and my laptop would be worst case scenario, but it still leaves alot of room.

I have read some references that dried thermal paste does not need to be removed while researching the net about how to remove paste. But - its not even a paste at this point - at least under mine. I have not looked under their laptop because I don't want to break any thermal contacts that may still remain until the experts here weight in.

The CPU is working, the fas is working, so - has it lost its thermal conductivity to the ducts - I believe so. But if its thin white "paint" how is that removed - same way? And should it be removed?

 

[Modelworks]

Normally you do not need to replace it . Is there thermal paste on the edges around the heatsink ? It could be that the heatsink has such a tight fit that it squeezes out all but a little of the paste. If not maybe the factory did not put on enough. If you want to remove it get some denatured alcohol. They sell it in hardware stores. Looks like this:
http://www.filmtools.com/denal1qt.html

Use it to wipe off the paste, be careful not to get any of the cleaner on anything plastic as it might discolor the plastic, and then apply new paste. I really like the run of the mill radio shack brand for things like this. It is a thin paste that is hard to put on wrong and goes on easy.

 

[Zepper]

If parts have been separated (heat sink from chip, etc.) then TIM should be thoroughly cleaned off and replaced. I'd also consider replacing if temps are running high with no other obvious cause.

.bh.

 

[nyker96]

i always use some alcohol to clean off the tim. it does a good job.