Processor Stuck to Heatsink via Thermal Pad

Hey,

I run a Pentium IV 2.8GHz (normal clock speed) with the
stock-as-a-block Intel heatsink and fan combo. One day after running a
CPU intensive task, I realised that the chip was running a little
hotter than it should - as quite an amount of dust was collecting
within the box I decided to clean it up to improve air flow.

After unclipping the retention mechanism and pulling out the fan, I
decided I might as well take out the heatsink (instead of just leaving
it as it is and brushing it,) so that I wouldnt just be shuffling the
dust back into the box.

Since I was the one who fitted it all together in the first place, I
knew that the heatsink sat nicely on top of the chip without any
dramas - so I applied a little force expecting it to simply pull
off... It didnt. I slowly began to apply more force until "tada!" the
heatsink finally came off. The problem was when I looked back into my
mobo there wasnt any chip there... Logic told me to turn over the
heatsink...

Not a problem.. I'll just pull it off - the chip didnt budge. I even
tried placing the heatsink upside down (chip facing up) on a hotplate
to soften up the thermal pad... either that was never going to work or
I was just too scared of frying the chip. (The heatsink remained
warm/hot - still possible to handle with hands.)

Is it possible to get the chip off without damaging it? So far there
arent any visible signs of damage - pins are still perfectly straight
and level, and there arent any colour differences on the bottom of the
chip (so no burning?)

Any help would be greatly appreciated..
Cheers

lol... Alright I managed to fix the problem myself, so no worries.

For anyone else with a similar problem, just heat the top of your
heatsink (the opposite side to where you CPU is stuck) slowly with a
hair dryer, and apply force to the chip using a credit card or similar
piece of plastic.
Chip seems to be okay... though I won't be able to tell until I buy a
tube of thermal paste and stick it in.

(g00n) wrote in message news:<. com>...
> Hey,
>
> I run a Pentium IV 2.8GHz (normal clock speed) with the
> stock-as-a-block Intel heatsink and fan combo. One day after running a
> CPU intensive task, I realised that the chip was running a little
> hotter than it should - as quite an amount of dust was collecting
> within the box I decided to clean it up to improve air flow.
>
> After unclipping the retention mechanism and pulling out the fan, I
> decided I might as well take out the heatsink (instead of just leaving
> it as it is and brushing it,) so that I wouldnt just be shuffling the
> dust back into the box.
>
> Since I was the one who fitted it all together in the first place, I
> knew that the heatsink sat nicely on top of the chip without any
> dramas - so I applied a little force expecting it to simply pull
> off... It didnt. I slowly began to apply more force until "tada!" the
> heatsink finally came off. The problem was when I looked back into my

>>>>>Seems to me that the pad should bethick enoughto leave a space
between the heatsink and the CPU. Couldn't you get a razor blade or
knife and try to slice through the pad, separate them, and then try to
figure out how to remove the pad?

(g00n) wrote in message news:<. com>...
> Hey,
>
> I run a Pentium IV 2.8GHz (normal clock speed) with the
> stock-as-a-block Intel heatsink and fan combo. One day after running a
> CPU intensive task, I realised that the chip was running a little
> hotter than it should - as quite an amount of dust was collecting
> within the box I decided to clean it up to improve air flow.
>
> After unclipping the retention mechanism and pulling out the fan, I
> decided I might as well take out the heatsink (instead of just leaving
> it as it is and brushing it,) so that I wouldnt just be shuffling the
> dust back into the box.
>
> Since I was the one who fitted it all together in the first place, I
> knew that the heatsink sat nicely on top of the chip without any
> dramas - so I applied a little force expecting it to simply pull
> off... It didnt. I slowly began to apply more force until "tada!" the
> heatsink finally came off. The problem was when I looked back into my
> mobo there wasnt any chip there... Logic told me to turn over the
> heatsink...
>
> Not a problem.. I'll just pull it off - the chip didnt budge. I even
> tried placing the heatsink upside down (chip facing up) on a hotplate
> to soften up the thermal pad... either that was never going to work or
> I was just too scared of frying the chip. (The heatsink remained
> warm/hot - still possible to handle with hands.)
>
> Is it possible to get the chip off without damaging it? So far there
> arent any visible signs of damage - pins are still perfectly straight
> and level, and there arent any colour differences on the bottom of the
> chip (so no burning?)
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated..
> Cheers

I've just had the same problem with a thermal putty pad. My method
was to put some alcohol around the edges of the thermal pad and let it
soak. I also used a very thin razor blade to cut through the thermal
pad where possible. Then, I used a hair-dryer to heat up the thermal
pad and then, with thumb and finger, I turned the processor in a
clockwise and anti clockwise motion until it came off quite easily.
Do not attempt to level the processor off!

When I replaced my CPU, I used some thermal grease instead of a
thermal putty pad. Also, I spent about 2 hours polishing the copper
base of my heatsink to give a mirror finish as this will help the
cooling contact.

> When I replaced my CPU, I used some thermal grease instead of a
> thermal putty pad. Also, I spent about 2 hours polishing the copper
> base of my heatsink to give a mirror finish as this will help the
> cooling contact.

haha.. 2 hours! entity you crazy dog...
Thank you all very much for the feedback

Chip runs fine.. no damage whatsoever.

The switch from a thermal pad to a thermal grease / paste / compound
(whatever you wish to refer to it by) seems to have reduced CPU
temperatures by a couple of degrees - especially considering its a
damn hot day today. Recommend to anyone running a pad to make the
switch!