Computer Won't Start After I cleaned CPU of thermal paste.

[ffinfinity1]

Today I was trying to clean my cpu and heatsink of all thermal paste because I felt I put to much to start with.

I used rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips to remove it and it didn't seem to go get off all the way and the cpu still looked a little discolored yet I could make out the print so I decided to just apply on some paste (perhaps my first mistake?)

Also I was kinda of being slightly abrasive to get off the thermal paste, so I'm not sure if that is a problem, I did not remove the cpu at all btw.

The heatsink is a Noctua NH-D14 and my CPU is a i5-3570k, after I applied more my computer decided to not start and I'm not sure what the problem is.

on a side note I just received the 7990 today and put it in so not sure if that did something but I kind of doubt it, all I did was plug in the card in the mobo and psu.

My system is a

ASROCK Z77 Extreme4 1155 Motherboard
i5-3570k (using the Noctua Heatsink)
8gb ram
Corsair 1200w PSU
Radeon HD 7990


I'm kind of worried, do I need to buy a cpu or is their something I can do here?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Did you push some of the goop into the socket ?

Put it back the way it was card wise and see if that works.... if it does.....uninstall drivers and turn off before trying to change cards

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Did you push some of the goop into the socket ?

Put it back the way it was card wise and see if that works.... if it does.....uninstall drivers and turn off before trying to change cards

 

[menetlaus]

What did you unplug from the motherboard to clean off the thermal paste? My guess is either one of the two power cables are not attached (or seated properly) or you failed to reconnect the CPU fan header.

 

[ffinfinity1]

What did you unplug from the motherboard to clean off the thermal paste? My guess is either one of the two power cables are not attached (or seated properly) or you failed to reconnect the CPU fan header.

I did unplug some cables from the psu to make it easier to plug in my 7990, perhaps I did not plug it in properly. Ill post soon

 

[ffinfinity1]

Did you push some of the goop into the socket ?

Put it back the way it was card wise and see if that works.... if it does.....uninstall drivers and turn off before trying to change cards

I don't think any goop got into the socket because I did not remove the the cpu from the socket at all. If your talking about the 7990 I put it in after I finished applying thermal paste to the cpu so i don't think anything got in their.

 

[ffinfinity1]

What did you unplug from the motherboard to clean off the thermal paste? My guess is either one of the two power cables are not attached (or seated properly) or you failed to reconnect the CPU fan header.

everything is plugged in alright

 

[Z-Licious]

No JackNaylorPE was saying remove the card and try turning your machine on. Basically put it back the way it was before you decided to remove the thermal paste. the condition it was in when it still started up. Then you can know for sure if the card/drivers are the issue or not.

Does anything power on, do the fans come on?

 

[menetlaus]

What did you unplug from the motherboard to clean off the thermal paste? My guess is either one of the two power cables are not attached (or seated properly) or you failed to reconnect the CPU fan header.

everything is plugged in alright

Including the main power cable (to both the wall and PSU)? The little switch on the back of the PSU is turned on? The wall outlet works (may have blown a fuse)? The power switch is connected to the motherboard in the right place/orientation (if was unplugged)?

Are there any lights on in the system (and do you know if there usually are)?