URGENT computer question/problem

[footprintsinconc]

ok, i think i got myself into a tight spot and dont know what to do:

i got this compaq amd athlon 64 3400+ processor computer. i was cleaning out the inside and saw that the heat shield or sink was extremely clogged, so i though, why not just pull it off the processor and clean it seperatly. well, i pulled it and the processor came off with it.

now, i cant get it back in. i put only very little pressure on the complete unit as not to bend any of the pins. it wont go in. now i notice that there was a bar on the side of the while processor seat and pulled it, and it saw that the seat moves back and forth.

i am now guessing that you release the arm, pull it all the way back, put he process or on it, push the bar all the way down. this must lock the process in place. then you must put some sticky stuff on the process to make sure that it transfers heat to the heat shield. and then you secure the heat shield on top of that? is this correct?

i cant install the processor back on because the heat shield is HUGE and the arm cannot be except be in the down position for it secure to its setting.

what do i do now? is this computer/processor garbage because it is stuck on the back of the heat shield? if not, then how do i get it off and what do i put on the back of the processor again so that it transfers heat to the shield?

[footprintsinconc]

i cant attach the pics of what the processor and heat sink looks like. i can email it to anyone who wants to see or can help me by looking at them.

thanks!!

[chopnhack]

omar, some processors can only be put back in one orientation. Some have a triangle on the back side where there are no pins. Use a flashlight if you need to and see on the socket side where that might correspond. As for the heat transfer goop, that stays on (thermal compound) helps to move the heat off of the processor and onto the fins of the heat sink. Make sure that you lift the locking bar before inserting the processor. Double check all the pins before reinserting to make sure that they are straight. Hope this helps.

[Alex Franke]

You're right about the bar unlocking and locking the pins. You need to be able to open up the bar enough to get the CPU back in there. If the heat shield is in the way, then they need to be separated, but I can't imagine why they'd be glued so together tightly like that... (I think it's usually more of a grease than a glue)

First of all, do you know about discharging static before you touch inside your computer?

Does a little lateral pressure on the CPU free it from the heat shield or does it budge at all?

Edit: chopnhack is right -- make sure it's oriented properly first! There's usually one one or two pins that key the chip so that it can only be inserted in the proper orientation. You're right not to force it.

[footprintsinconc]

Make sure that you lift the locking bar before inserting the processor. Double check all the pins before reinserting to make sure that they are straight. Hope this helps.

the orientation is correct, because i am trying to put it back the way i pulled the heat sink off. i cant have the locking bar up and install the chip because it is stuck to the back side of the heat sink.

[footprintsinconc]

i just have the unit still plugged into the wall and just touch the power box to ground myself, this is what i was told i should do when i was cleaning out a box some years ago. i hope that this is enough?

so should i discharge static elec. some other way before applying any lateral pressure to the chip? if so, then what can i do right now?

[chopnhack]

you are discharged as long as some of your body is in contact with electrical ground, omar. So keep an elbow on the exposed metal and your grounded. As for the heat sink/processor - clarify....did the heat sink ever come off?

[footprintsinconc]

the processor is stuck to the bottom of the heat sink. i tried pushing on the processor and it wont move off. however, the white goo is soft, so i am now going to go and try to use a knife and see if it will cut out some suction.

[chopnhack]

ok, but before you do that, please check and make sure all the pins are not bent, or that none are broken off.

[chopnhack]

Also, if the processor/heat sink were never separated there really should be no problem with the entire assembly going right back into its original spot. Can you please take a detailed photo of the underside of the chip and the slot.

[chopnhack]

Response on its way

[chopnhack]

Yikes, i see exactly what you mean. Please be ultra careful separating the cpu from the heat sink. You are correct though, their more than likely is no way to install the processor after the heat sink was applied. I dont know if the locking bar didnt seat very well the first time, they usually place a good amount of pressure on the pins when you lock it down. If you can separate the cpu, make sure you align the large triangular area that is devoid of pins with the same area on the socket, make sure all four edges are solidly pushed in, try and do this all at once, straight down - prevents pin damage. Inspect all four corners, and if all is ok, lock the bar down, will require some pressure. Reinstall heat sink, make sure those metal straps lock down on either side. If necessary buy some more thermal compound, its not too expensive. Hope it works!

[footprintsinconc]

john, thanks a bundle!!

the white goo was real sticky, but i removed all the extra on the outside of the chip and the thin blade slid under the corner of one side of the chip and then all of a sudden it popped off the heat sink! phew, man i was scared silly that i had messed up!

the chip went back in without a problem and the locking lever locked in without much of a pressure. the straps on the sink hooked on and everything locked in. with my fingers crossed, i started the computer up, and what do you know, its running!!

thanks for being there dude! this is the first time i ever did anything like this, and i glad that you guys were there to help!

thanks once again. have a great weekend,

[footprintsinconc]

john, thanks a bundle!!

the white goo was real sticky, but i removed all the extra on the outside of the chip and the thin blade slid under the corner of one side of the chip and then all of a sudden it popped off the heat sink! phew, man i was scared silly that i had messed up!

the chip went back in without a problem and the locking lever locked in without much of a pressure. the straps on the sink hooked on and everything locked in. with my fingers crossed, i started the computer up, and what do you know, its running!!

thanks for being there dude! this is the first time i ever did anything like this, and i glad that you guys were there to help!

thanks once again. have a great weekend,

[chopnhack]

No problem Omar, I am glad it all went back well
Enjoy your weekend as well!