Help: processor stuck to heatsink

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ghostchamber

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jun 19, 2003
Messages
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I just went to remove the processor from my computer. It's an X2 dual-core 3800. I was going to switch it out with my wife's, because I'm troubleshooting an extremely annoying BSOD problem she's having. She's got the same one except it's single-core.

Anyway, I was having trouble removing the heatsink. It didn't want to come off, but after a minute I was able to pull it off. The problem here is that it pulled off the processor with it. Mind you, the retention lever on the socket was still down. So my first though was I broke the socket, but it appears to be okay. The pins on the processor itself also don't appear to be damaged. However, the processor seems firmly attached to the heatsink.

I'm guessing maybe I used too much thermal paste, but I've switched out plenty of processors and never had this problem.

Can someone give me some advice? My computer is currently just sitting there--I don't want to force off the processor and risk damaging it if there's a way around this.
 
So all the pins are intact and the socket looks okay? Thats very good then..this happens very often especially with dell gx...models basically all you have to do is a get a flathead pick a corner of the cpu put the flat head under the corner and the long part of the flat head against the heat sink and push upwards and it will pop right out and the cpu should be perfectly okay. Less thermal paste next time ;)
 
Or you could use a hairdryer, as I've done in the same situation. Works just as well, and you don't feel as though you're going to damage anything. Takes about 5 minutes to heat up enough, but the thermal paste should be melted enough so that the processor will simply twist off without any force.
 
I've had the same happen, nothing was damaged.
To get the CPU off the heatsink, slide it sideways, being extremely careful not to scratch the heatsink (if using a screwdriver etc to push the CPU) or bend any pins.
 
Grab two corners of the proc and twist them (don't yank on it) and a few twists later, it should pop loose. If that won't do it, a hairdryer will do it as well. Be sure to check the pins as well. If any are bent, use a credit card between the rows to straighten them out.
 
I also pulled a CPU out of the socket this way. Strangely the CPU wasn't broken, no bent or torn out pins, guess I was lucky. I managed to take the CPU off the heatsink by twisting it.
 
ghostchamber said:
Thanks everyone for the advice.

It turns out all it needed was a little twist. :)
Click to expand...

The old 754 Clawhammers had this issue pretty bad. Once I pulled the heat sink off and tossed it in the garbage, then spent 20 mins tring to figure out where I sat the CPU :confused:
 
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