I think I've Killed my motherboard

linktoinsanity

linktoinsanity

linktoinsanity

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I believe when I applied the thermal paste on my CPU last time I put too much on. It got everywhere, but I wiped it off and took out the i5 CPU that was in there. I went to carefully drop in the i7 CPU that I have acquired and accidentally touched the CPU socket with my finger, which unnoticed to me still had CPU paste on it.

I have applied ethanol to the socket since and tried to clean it out but it still looks quite bad and I am almost certain I don't want to risk the I7 in there, or the I5 for that matter. I can see the top of the pins still, they come through the paste (there isn't all that much) but I'm worried about it shorting out something in the socket. The paste in question is Arctic MX-2, so my question is, will I have to buy a new motherboard?

There is a picture:

deadcpusocket.jpg


You can't tell from that picture that there all the pins are sticking out of the top of the paste, but they are, I am just wondering if the metal you can see below the pins is important.

If I try any CPU in there now it'll either be the I5 or a Celeron, but what do you reckon my chances are? Should I buy another board?

Thanks,

Link.

And: :o :mad: :( sums it all up really.
 
i wouldnt try your cpu in there just incase it shorts and fries cpu and the board

you could try n soak it in alcahol somehow to try and disolve the paste? its tricky though,you could ask for rma maybe?
 
The whole thing is important. The good news: I reckon it can be saved. Get some electrical contact cleaner, the stuff with the straw, and give it a good blast.

Safe and Easy Application

As the ARCTIC MX-2 does not contain any metallic particles so electrical conductivity will not be an issue. Unlike other silver and copper compounds, the ARCTIC MX-2 ensures that contact with any electrical pins would not result in any sort of damage. Moreover the ARCTIC MX-2 is very easy to apply as it has ideal consistency.
Click to expand...

Technically, it will be fine, but I would still get some contact cleaner, and blast it all out of the socket.
 
PhillyDee said:
The whole thing is important. The good news: I reckon it can be saved. Get some electrical contact cleaner, the stuff with the straw, and give it a good blast.



Technically, it will be fine, but I would still get some contact cleaner, and blast it all out of the socket.
Click to expand...

Ah good. Where can I get the cleaner (with the straw) from?

Thanks.
 
wouldn't a decent paint brush with some ISO 99% be better im pretty sure compressed air wont do any good against the paste...
 
PhillyDee said:
Nope, thats also a lubricant, meant for switches and switchgear.

http://www.electrolube.com/docs/cleaningmain.asp?id=10

Is what you should be looking for ECSP. I would give the WD40 one a go myself. There are screwfixes all over. Hell, one just opened up about half a mile from my house (I was there 3 times in one week . . . . :cool:)
Click to expand...

I've gone with the WD40 based one.

Thanks for your help mate,

And others too. I will keep you posted as to whether the machine boots next time or not!
 
I suspect it would work fine with the paste in the socket. I'm not sure I'd actually try it though. Good luck with the cleaning process.
 
If WD40 can dissolve the worst of leftover sticky substances such as duct tape etc it can get rid of the tiny bit of thermal paste.
 
Well, after an evening of using WD40 and testing with both the i5 and i7 CPUs the system now seems to be back up and fully operational again.

Hopefully this will remain the case. Nice to be running an i7 again! :)
 
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