Cannot unplug cpu fan

welrod

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Jul 16, 2011
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Hello,
I know this is going to make me seem like an idiot, but.. I'm removing and cleaning my CPU fan and chip, to reapply paste and bring down freaky high temps.. never done this before though i've studied a lot.. and basically i just kind of *need* to know about the cpu fan 4-pin connector.. and I tried to answer this question myself online so i wouldn't have to prostrate my stupidity before you all.. but I need to know if that connector has a little clip on the back that needs depressed, or if it's just clogged with dust and it's just a yank mechanism? I'm too apprehensive about ripping off part of the motherboard to apply more force than I have, so hopefully without thinking I'm too much of an idiot could anyone tell me if there's a clip? Mobo is an msi p45 platinum though I'm guessing the clip is rather uniform.. thanks so much for the much needed help

EDIT - the videos i've found that tutorial this all make removing the clip look like a dream, devoid of the rock-hard-resistance at .5 cm and stubborn clip action - if it even is a clip back there - that mine seems to have
 
Mm, interesting question. I think my CPU fan connector looks like any other fan connector on the motherboard, and it does not have a clip. I just pull them off. That's it.
And, although it's unlikely you have some weird and complicated connectors, you might want to make a picture and post it here, so others can take a look and compare. I remember that the connnectors which did gave clips (the CPU power connector and MoBo power connector) were a pain to remove, and usually required more force than I was comfortable to apply.
 
Well, you're kind to say so.. I'm an idiot of some kind though, I'm sure of it.. I got the cord off, got the entire job done, cleaned the hell out of the fan and re-pasted the heatsink pad and the processor.. replaced the cpu and the fan..

and now I'm getting CoreTemp readings that are ridiculous like -19C (!) (?) and -0C (!) (?) and that lasts about one minute, then the computer shuts off!

Any idea what the heck i did so wrong? afraud ti turn it back on unless i have some idea what the problem is
 
While you boot, watch the fan and make sure it is running (fast enough), perhaps the connector didn't make good contact with the board. Or there's something wrong with the control of your fan by the motherboard, but I wouldn't know more about that.

But yes, it seems your CPU is getting too hot, while the temperature reading seems wrong. I can't see that the fan connector would be on the motherboard the wrong way round, because they only fit one way. Hmm