Removing Gainward HS

[CMangano]

I just purchased a Gainward GeForce3 Ti450 GS (awesome, awesome card), and I am wondering how I can remove the heat sink/fan on the chip?

It is attached to the card the same way the Maze2 waterblocks attach to the mobo. Two white plastic screws (not really screws, but they look similar) go through the hs and through the holes on the card. At the bottom of these "screws" they "blossom" to become wider than the hole, thus making them secure. I know that is a horrible description, but hopefully some of you will know what I mean.

Anyways, I tried using pliers last night to squeeze it through the hole, but I could not get the "blossomed" part to fit back in. Any ideas? Can I buy these "screws" at a hardware store and just cut off the ones on there now and reattach new ones?

[KILLorBE]

Look if there's a pin inserted at the top (opposite of the "blossomed parts"), if so pull it up and then do what you did before (squeeze the "blossomed" parts together).
It should be fairly easy to get them out (NO need to cut them off, but if you're gonna put another HS on the card (Like a Blorb) they usually come with these 'pins').

BTW your description is fine (and I'm a Dutch 'MOFO';) )

[Despotes]

Just squeeze with your pliers and push upward through the board. I did the same with my Gainward G3 Ti/550. Removing the cheap paste from the GPU with fingernail polish remover and alcohol was a pip. Have you looked into the CoolJag hsf?? It's a great performer. http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1571&p=2