Oops I unplugged something

[Bowyn Aerrow]

I removed a heat sink from my computer to clean it since it was caked with dust and debris. Bad move.

Unfortunately it is attached to the chip, which has many tiny pins on it and I can't figure out how to plug it back in without bending the pins. My eyes can't even distinguish each pin they are that small.

My computer was overheating, it is a processor - I think that is the name.

So computer is off line, which means we are on emergency life support with the warp core off line too.

I'm currently using my partner's virus infected computer. It has a trojan that is redirecting its searches

So I will be off line for a while. We hope to take the computer to the Best Buy computer guys this weekend.

If you don't hear from me it means I really messed up my computer.

Cheers

[dfiant]

The reason it would have been over heating would have been due to the fact that the thermal paste between the heatsink and CPU (Processor) had deteriorated to a point that it adhered to the Heatsink. The thermal paste is the single most important part of the processor set up because it allows for the heat to be transferred from the CPU to the heatsink.

[Only registered members can see links. ]

[Only registered members can see links. ]

I build my own computers and so I make it part of my routine to clean the heatsink, inside the case and reseat the CPU and heatsink bi-annually.

You should be able to buy Thermal Paste at any Computer Store.

Good Luck

[pellaz]

is the old fan functional

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Originally Posted by dfiant

The reason it would have been over heating would have been due to the fact that the thermal paste between the heatsink and CPU (Processor) had deteriorated to a point that it adhered to the Heatsink. The thermal paste is the single most important part of the processor set up because it allows for the heat to be transferred from the CPU to the heatsink.

[Only registered members can see links. ]



I build my own computers and so I make it part of my routine to clean the heatsink, inside the case and reseat the CPU and heatsink bi-annually.

You should be able to buy Thermal Paste at any Computer Store.

Good Luck

Ah... I see. So with a bit of gentle prying the 'chip' came of the heat sink. I didn't try that a few days ago, I wasn't certain how the chip and heat sink attached thus didn't try sliding anything between the two and try to pry it. Now that the heat sink of off I think I will be able to manage getting the chip in to it socket/holes. But I have to wait until the sun is high enough in the sky to give direct bright light for me to see with.

Between the two is a grey powdery substance sort of a heavy grease that has congealed. Its consistency is that of badly used axle grease, some of it is even 'dry' powdery.

I suppose that instead of there being dust on the heat sink that your diagnosis of deteriorated thermal paste was the real issue. So now I have the chip and the heat sink apart.

From the looks of it who ever installed it drew a circle of "paste" and then pushed the two together, it doesn't appear that the grease was at any time across the whole surface of the chip. Which may explain a few things and issues I had early on when we bought the damn thing.

I didn't know I had to take it apart every 6 months. I do open it up once a year and take the vacuum to the interior to clean out the dust that accumulates.

Right now I am looking at the chip pins. Well trying too -

Since turning 40 my close up/reading distance has gotten progressively worse with each passing year. My reading glasses which are about 8 months old are no longer working well...

I'll look around for Arctic Silver...

Give me a day. and I will have it back on line, and be at full warp speed again

[Pix]

I hope you're not gone long.

Done exactly the same thing a while back with my processor whilst replacing the thermal paste and cooling fan/heatsink set up - had to use a magnifying glass and a pair of small tweezers with rubber tips to position the pins back into place because upon removal of the old bits and pieces I kind of knocked/popped it out and without realizing bent one or two of the pins.

I know the feeling buddy - the tweezers and a magnifying glass were my savior, perhaps you could try something similar? typically the chip has one corner cut diagonally so to speak so that you can tell how it slots back into it's place, it should just "fall" in so to speak without much, if any pressure needed

u need to get some more thermal paste before u put it all back together - try to buy the best u can afford too = arctic paste is very good - good luck mate ...pc's are the devils work sometimes lol

[dfiant]

Artic Silver is what I use. Got a 22g syringe of it, set me back about $30 and I have been using it for years. Being a 'grease' it doesn't actually go off. Good stuff.

[Rainbowmum]

Originally Posted by dfiant

Artic Silvert is what I use. Got a 22g syringe of it, set me back about $30 and I have been using it for years. Being a 'grease' it doesn't actually go off. Good stuff.

Same here it is brilliant stuff.
May I suggest a stand alone magnifying glass, I have been using for ages.

I know how you feel regarding not bending the pins , I have been known to remove the motherboard from the case , so i could line the pins up, it's a hell of a lot easier.


Don't be gone too long , you will be missed.

haha - thats the stuff i meant dfiant "artic silver" ... damn my spelling lol

[ceez]

this should get rid of that virus, its called TDSSKiller.

[Only registered members can see links. ]

Good Luck! I hate it when that happens...I am fortunate to have alot of computer geniuses amongst my friends and family and they happen to live close by (I am in Silicon Valley so it has it's benefits)...I have crashed a couple computers though where it was easier to just get a new one.

I hope you come back soon!

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Ceez,

This is my partner's computer. HE does as he wants. Right now there are 5 'web bars' active on his browser. He will purposefully ignore the ad-aware, spy ware, virus warnings to do what he wants.

I have cleaned off many viruses and other stuff off his computer. He insists on downloading more.

It is something his family does. My motherinlaw's 3 month old computer is already pretty much trashed due to her willy-nilly downloading email attachments.

[Nick9]

I didn't know I had to take it apart every 6 months. I do open it up once a year and take the vacuum to the interior to clean out the dust that accumulates.

LOL I've been talking about vacuuming my laptop for the past several months. After your experience I'll better forget it

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Originally Posted by Nick9

LOL I've been talking about vacuuming my laptop for the past several months. After your experience I'll better forget it

Just think of this as me boldly going before you and making the mistakes you won't need to make.

You know what is really sad? I went to a couple of computer forums to ask for help and not one of them knew what I was talking about. I had one tell me it was my graphics card/chip. Another tell me that I need to get Linux - totally by passing the hardware issue. The rest were one sentence 'helpless' help.

Come here and post and Dfiant tagged the issue dead on.

So I recommend you talk to Dfiant before you proceed.

Now don't you dare tell him I said he's the best computer guy out there, we don't want this going to his head

Shhh - don't tell.



I got the chip in and seated. Much easier without the heat sink attached. :D