Can't get the heatsink/fan off!!!

[littleman00]

My CPU (Athlon 3400+) is heating up (around 65 degrees) and i realized that I may have put the thermal grease on wrong. I'm planning on wiping off and re-applying the thermal grease, but I can't figure out how to get my fan/heatsink off. It's a Zalman CNPS 7000B-Cu and I've had it on my CPU for a little over a year. kinda impressive my CPU hasn't burned up yet, although the temp alarm on the board did go off once.

 

[Grimmy]

Loosen the 2 screws, and twist back and forth. Then take the screws out, and twist both ways 1st and pull upwards slightly.

If you pull too hard, you may end up pulling the CPU out of its socket.

You just need to break the bond or seal that is created when it was installed.

You might even try to slide it off, if you have the room.

 

[kizuki]

You can go to www.zalmanusa.com and look for your heatsink/fan model. It will give you a video of the installation process; just reverse the process. Try not to pull so hard if your frustrated or you might bend some pins 😀. Good luck.

 

[plewis00_uk]

I've had this issue with a Pentium 4, even when I pulled the CPU it came out still attached to the heatsink. None of the pins were damaged, I think the ZIF socket is quite light-handed with it. Of course, it is safer to do it in the socket. I would recommend a light alcohol based cleaner and spray it directly into the gap between the CPU and heatsink (or onto the edge). Capillary action will suck the cleaner in and it will literally fall off. As it is alcohol based, no damage will occur to components (so don't use water based cleaners). The cleaner dissolves the paste and can be wiped straight off later.

I use Ambersil Amberklene FE10 which is a degreasing solvent (I'm not sure what the active ingredient is). Works a charm.

 

[ReliReli]

If it's constantly been at 65 degrees for a long time, there is a chance it's been pretty tightly sealed onto the cooler, though I doubt it'd be impossible to take off. If you know the cooler has been dismounted properly but still isn't coming off, try gently pulling up on it and wiggling/twisting it gently.

My Pentium 4, after running 50-58 degrees constant for over two years, practically welded itself to the bottom of its heatsink. I found that out the hard way after pulling off the sink only to find the chip "glued" to the sink! Bent a transistor pin in the process, but after prying off the CPU with my fingers and straightening the pin and putting it back in, it worked fine.

 

[littleman00]

I use Ambersil Amberklene FE10 which is a degreasing solvent (I'm not sure what the active ingredient is). Works a charm.

Where can you buy that stuff? Would a hardware store carry something like that?

 

[plewis00_uk]

I don't know, I think it's industrial grade stuff, it was meant to be an example. Just ask for an alcohol-based degreasing agent and you can't go far wrong. Like you said, try a hardware store near you, they're bound to have something to work.

 

[Grimmy]

I use Ambersil Amberklene FE10 which is a degreasing solvent (I'm not sure what the active ingredient is). Works a charm.

Where can you buy that stuff? Would a hardware store carry something like that?

I did read an article on using Goo Gone. But in that case, the CPU was pretty much pulled out its ZIF socket with the HSF, and still stuck to it.

He used Goo Gone, and let it set for 15 mins, making sure the solvent stayed on the HS side, which might be impossible, since you can't sit a 7000 Zalman on its side (Though I could be wrong on that). Then used a screwdriver to twist it out.

I've read other things to where if you do pull the CPU off its socket, its usually better to use a knife or flat head screwdriver. By inserting the blade between the HS and core and twisting, and it should come off easy, without using any solvent.

I guess you can't twist the 7000 off? I have the 7700, but I guess I'll end up finding how hard it is to take off later on, since I don't know what to expect after using AS5. :lol:

 

[pengwin]

Heh, i had a stock heatsink mounted on an 81*C P4. Presed on the retention bracket on the stock skt 478 cooler, popped right off.


anyways, as the others said, unscrew both screws, go half way on one, then do the other and then take one out fully then the other. Then spin it. Then lightly pull, if it doesnt come, keep spinning.


thats what i did. worked perfectly, twice.

 

[littleman00]

Can rubbing alcohol be used to get the thermal grease off?

 

[airvents]

yep