Tips on Dismantleing a newly built PC?

[Giantwasp]

I am just about to send back my new motherboard, (for reason see here). Before I break something, does anyone have any tips on taking apart a PC. (I have put them together before but not taken apart)

This is the plan:

Ensure power off.
Unplug all cables
Remove PCI and Graphics cards
Remove RAM
Unscrew motherboard mounting screws.
Remove motherboard from case onto non-static surface.
Unscrew HSF (Zalman 7000B-AlCu) mounting screws
Carefully twist off HSF.
Carefully remove CPU.
Clean thermal grease (Artic Silver V) off of CPU and HSF with acetone (Nail polish remover?) on the end of cotton bud (cue tip, to those in US)
Put motherboard back in original packaging
Write letter and take to Post Office.

Also what is this RMA number they have given me, is it just a returns number? I have seen it mentioned before.

 

[jpeyton]

Just make sure you don't have a static charge (ie ground yourself to a metal object before touching components) and I prefer highly pure isopropyl alchohol to acetone.

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
.. I prefer highly pure isopropyl alchohol to acetone.

Available at the chemist?

 

[jpeyton]

isopropyl alcohol is available everywhere, i can buy it at my local grocery store. just get above 90% purity so it evaporates easily.

 

[CJP]

Just remember when you re-assemble that you don't have to over-tighten the screws (especially if you have an aluminum case - I think I read that they are extra prone to stripping).

 

[LordPhoenix]

I would just get a NIC card

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: Giantwasp
I am just about to send back my new motherboard, (for reason see here). Before I break something, does anyone have any tips on taking apart a PC. (I have put them together before but not taken apart)

This is the plan:

Ensure power off.
Unplug all cables
Remove PCI and Graphics cards
Remove RAM
Unscrew motherboard mounting screws.
Remove motherboard from case onto non-static surface.
Unscrew HSF (Zalman 7000B-AlCu) mounting screws
Carefully twist off HSF.
Carefully remove CPU.
Clean thermal grease (Artic Silver V) off of CPU and HSF with acetone (Nail polish remover?) on the end of cotton bud (cue tip, to those in US)
Put motherboard back in original packaging
Write letter and take to Post Office.

Also what is this RMA number they have given me, is it just a returns number? I have seen it mentioned before.

Dude, you are making this way harder than it has to be. Just be careful not to zap anything, and also set the parts on a hard surface where it won't get zapped or anything. If you have antistatic bags, use them. If something feels stuck when pulling it out, then find out why it is stuck before you pull any harder. Use common sense and you'll be fine...

As for the RMA number, it is a tracking number that the mobo company will use to know who you are and what you are sending in for replacement. They may not accept your package if you don't write this number on the outside of the box, and include a letter inside with the number and more info about what is wrong with it.

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
isopropyl alcohol is available everywhere, i can buy it at my local grocery store. just get above 90% purity so it evaporates easily.

Should have mentioned that I am in the UK, chemist doesn't sell it and it certainly won't be available in the local Sainsbury's Supermarket so think I wil stick with the Nail polish remover.

My Grandfather (a chemist) sees no reason why acetone would not be as good.

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: LordPhoenix
I would just get a NIC card

So you suggest I should put up with faulty goods? I spent a lot of money on a mobo and it is supposed to have built in LAN I need a LAN so therefore I feel it should work.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Giantwasp

Originally posted by: jpeyton
isopropyl alcohol is available everywhere, i can buy it at my local grocery store. just get above 90% purity so it evaporates easily.

Should have mentioned that I am in the UK, chemist doesn't sell it and it certainly won't be available in the local Sainsbury's Supermarket so think I wil stick with the Nail polish remover.

My Grandfather (a chemist) sees no reason why acetone would not be as good.

I'm from the UK and I went to my local chemist (I live in a small-ish town) and got some isopropyl alcohol, and I'm 17. They asked me what it was for and I said cleaning computer parts. I had to ask at the counter, as it's not on the shelf, but they poured me some into a nice little bottle and that was that (after paying for it of course).

I also had a motherboard that came with a broken RAM slot (ABit KR7A) and I just put up with it. It was one of four slots though, and I only had 2 sticks of RAM.
NIC's are only £5 or so, probably cheaper than the cost of shipping the motherboard back.

 

[bluehorizon]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799

Originally posted by: Giantwasp


Dude, you are making this way harder than it has to be. Just be careful not to zap anything, and also set the parts on a hard surface where it won't get zapped or anything. If you have antistatic bags, use them. If something feels stuck when pulling it out, then find out why it is stuck before you pull any harder. Use common sense and you'll be fine...

As for the RMA number, it is a tracking number that the mobo company will use to know who you are and what you are sending in for replacement. They may not accept your package if you don't write this number on the outside of the box, and include a letter inside with the number and more info about what is wrong with it.

He's right. Just use common sense and you'll be fine. If you can assemble a computer, you can take one apart. It's really not brain surgery

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

I'm from the UK and I went to my local chemist (I live in a small-ish town) and got some isopropyl alcohol, and I'm 17. They asked me what it was for and I said cleaning computer parts. I had to ask at the counter, as it's not on the shelf, but they poured me some into a nice little bottle and that was that (after paying for it of course).

I phoned up my local chemist and thet said they didn't have any. I could go to a bigger chemist in town but since I want to send it off asap. I don't see any major benefit with isopropyl over acetone. I think I will use acetone.

I also had a motherboard that came with a broken RAM slot (ABit KR7A) and I just put up with it. It was one of four slots though, and I only had 2 sticks of RAM.
NIC's are only £5 or so, probably cheaper than the cost of shipping the motherboard back.

You have a good point that it would probably be cheaper to buy a NIC instead of go through the hassel of dismantling and paying for postage, but it is more of a principle to me. I spent a lot of money on the mobo and I expect it to do all that it is supposed to. Also getting a sperate NIC will take up another PCI slot. Already have one with wifi card in one with extra USB slots one taken up by cooling on GPU. Conscidering external watercooling so one for tubes to leave case. Perhaps later a seperate sound card. With the NIC that makes a potential 6 so space would be getting tight.

 

[Giantwasp]

If anyone is still reading down to the bottom of this thread.

The only acetone in the house is nail polish remover with fancy conditioners in so I am going to have to go out and get some tomorrow. (or isopropyl if I track some down)

Question I have now though can I safely dismantle everything without removing thermal grease from cpu or HSF, so I can pack up mobo. Then leave the cpu and HSF to on side for a day until I get some acetone to clean it. or does the thermal grease need to be removed immediatly.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Giantwasp
If anyone is still reading down to the bottom of this thread.

The only acetone in the house is nail polish remover with fancy conditioners in so I am going to have to go out and get some tomorrow. (or isopropyl if I track some down)

Question I have now though can I safely dismantle everything without removing thermal grease from cpu or HSF, so I can pack up mobo. Then leave the cpu and HSF to on side for a day until I get some acetone to clean it. or does the thermal grease need to be removed immediatly.

Can't imagine that things are much different in the UK; maybe it's just different terminology. In the first aid section, with bandages and that sort of thing, there should be isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
Also, you say "chemist" occasionally - is that something like "petrol = gasoline", or is it just a chemicals shop? Just wondering if there's some vernacular involved here.

Also what is this RMA number they have given me, is it just a returns number? I have seen it mentioned before.

Return Merchandize Authorization.
Usually they'll want that number written clearly on the outside of the box somewhere.

 

[tiap]

You're worrying too much. Use the acetone you have. Tpaste cures fully in 72 hrs, so don't be in a rush. If your concerned, lap your heatsink and cpu before re-assembling.
Make sure you get the rma.

 

[Markfw]

And you never responded to my question on the PSU ? There is a possibility that is the culprit. And if it is, then you have to do this all over again, and then you could blame AMD for bad chipsets/processors.

Please reply with your PSU specs first.

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Can't imagine that things are much different in the UK; maybe it's just different terminology. In the first aid section, with bandages and that sort of thing, there should be isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
Also, you say "chemist" occasionally - is that something like "petrol = gasoline", or is it just a chemicals shop? Just wondering if there's some vernacular involved here.

Chemist = Pharmacy I think You call them drug stores

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
And you never responded to my question on the PSU ? There is a possibility that is the culprit. And if it is, then you have to do this all over again, and then you could blame AMD for bad chipsets/processors.

Please reply with your PSU specs first.

I did reply Re PSU about 30min ago I will look up the PSU specs and post them aswell in the other thread