D*** Dell P4!!!

[jazztrumpet216]

Hey guys--- I screwed up. I was taking off my HS to see if I had a Socket 423 or socket 478 P4 (WCPUID reported it as 423, Sandra reported it as 478), and couldn't get it off! So I pulled... and the HS came off. Along eith the CPU right out of the ZIF socket! @&$*%^*(%($#$*^$!!!! I checked for bent/broken pins, there were a few bent ones which I was able to fix (I think), but the problem still remains that I cannot plug this sucker back in without lifting the arm up in the ZIF socket, and the Dell POS heatsink is too big. I have two options:

1) Try removing the IHS from the P4... I don't really like this one, and won't do it unless I really have to.

2) Somehow unstick the sticky thermal compound on here. I've heard you can freeze it but I've never actually tried this so I don't know how it works... and I don't wanna have to damage my nice Willy unless I have to.

Jeez, I always planned on going to a Northwood... but I was hoping I wouldn't have to so soon!!! Help!!!

[Ebola]

hmmm.... is it a thermal pad holding the heatsink to the p4? I had one of these on an old celeron. I think I did it the stupid way when i used a screwdriver to wedge it off but it seem to work fine. then again a celeron isnt much of a loss.

the refridgeration method might work. i've never tried it though.

you have to remember the whole concept of buying a dell computer is that your not suppose to mess with the insides of it.

[batboy]

Not much choice here. You should always remove the heatsink before taking the CPU out and you have to insert the CPU in first before reattaching the heatsink. The heatsink should not be glued on, it's either got heat tape or thermal paste. There is a locking mechanism on some of those P-4 coolers. You really should use a better thermal paste than what came with it anyway. Consider yourself lucky if you didn't permanently damage any of the CPU pins.

[jazztrumpet216]

Well, I don't think it's a thermal pad. Of course, I didn't think the HS would be stuck to the CPU either. This is not any thermal tape I've ever seen, this is some kind of demented paste. I stuck it in the freezer for 10 minutes so it was mildly cool, and it turned greenish and became less sticky. I was able to scrape some of the excess off with a precision screwdriver and it's really the consistency of that Gak stuff Nickelodeon used to sell.

[batboy]

hmmm, doesn't sound like the standard Intel goop, maybe Dell is using something different since they buy OEM CPUs (not retail) to build their computers with.

[jazztrumpet216]

OK, just got back from spending some time with my gf over the New Year's hub-bub. While I was gone (about 2 hrs) I stuck it in the freezer and left it. I took it out, and was able to pry the HS and the processor apart by using an exacto blade out of an exacto knife. Came apart fairly easily. I can tell ya, this ain't the standard Intel garbage, usually that comes apart... I never thought there was something worse than that, but now I know there is. I'm gonna try to take off the rest of that paste with isopropyl alcohol and see if it comes off, and reapply ASII. Thanks guys!

*EDIT* Looks like I repaired the bent pins... everything works now, I'm writing this on the Dell now. It's got this crummy aluminum thing for a HS and it's ducted to the rear fan, I think I'm gonna put a REAL cooler on there and get a REAL exhaust fan, then just leave this thing be!!!