Power Supply etc.

I have a 5year old Hp Pavillion 754n Desktop. I am running WinXP Sp2. 80G harddrive.
I am not familiar with the internal parts of the pc as I am with software so this is where I need help and advice.
Problem: Opened up side panel of pc and found that a large metal piece that normally sits anchored on the motherboard had come loose. I believe this is cooled by the internal fan. This piece was attached by two brackets to a plastic base that kept the piece in place. The plastic base where the brakets attach are broken on one side and I I cannot re-seat this part to keep it anchored. I do not know what this large hardware piece is but I believe it sits on top of the cpu. As a I said I am not at all smart about the internal parts. Consequently, my pc also shuts down in the boot-up process after about 15 seconds. I imagine this is due to overheating. I need to know if I can fix this myself or need to take it in for an expert. I can follow directions for replacing hardware as I have had to do that with my cd drive. Just need specific information if anyone can help. Thanks

 

Really need help here. Wish someone would reply to this. Thanks

 

OK after some more searching on the net I discovered the part that has come loose it the heatsink. The metal brackets holding it in place have come loose because the plastic base where the brackets fasten have broken. Can this be repaired?

 

Do NOT run the PC without the CPU heatsink on. You can kill the CPU!! I would get a new heatsink and fan. I looked around and could not find out what CPU type you have. Can you take a picture of the CPU? Or post what is written on it? Should be AMD (and a number) or Intel (and a number). You should be able to pick up an inexpensive heatsink and some TIM online.

E

 

Intel P4 2.53 GHz

• 533 MHz high performance system bus (FSB)
• Socket mPGA478

Chipset
Intel 845G
This is product spec, info I found on HP.

 

Something like this should get you up and running for 30$. http://www.crazypc.com/products/katana_2-50623.html

Or just browse around for socket 478 heatsinks.

E

 

@ gulfvis, since you mentioned you're not too savvy on hardware, make sure to remove the old grease from the CPU first using a commercial remover or what works for me is %70 isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth. Remember to just put a rice sized grain(uncooked) of thermal paste on the CPU which I see is included in Fred_G's post. Be careful to make sure the CPU is aligned properly when putting it back in before you lock it in place. Match up the triangles.

 

If I an get the part/parts that were suggested, is this a simple matter of retro fitting the new heatsink and fan?

 

It should be relatively painless, normally. However, your following comment bothers me

I assume the plastic base you're talking about is on the motherboard? If so, then I don't think a new HSF will have anything to hold on to. If you have a good camera you can take some closeups of the problem area so we can see exactly where your problem is.

 

I will try to get a couple of good pictures so you can see what I am talking about. I do believe that the plastic base that surrounds the CPU where the heatsink must sit is on the mother board.

 

this has happened to me with an old motherboard. i just searched socket 478 heatsink bracket on ebay and found one for 12 bucks and put the heat sink back in and it was good to go

 

I know nothing about heatsinks and am only curious. Is this what your original looks like?

Please listen to those more knowledgeable than me for advice on replacement, I'm just paying attention to learn something about interchanging parts. Good luck on your repair.

 

Hi Gulf,

I have had the same experience with the broken plastic part. It is very easily replaced. I was fortunate enough to have an old mother board in the junk box with the part I needed. Check with a repair shop. They should also have old MBs with the part you need.

 

Yes that is the heatsink that I have to reinstall. Hopefully a local shop will have the plastic base replacement.

 

I have a shop I can get my pc to so hopefully they will be able to replace the plastic base and help me get the heatsink and internal fan reinstalled.

 

Thanks to everyone who posted to help with my heatsink issue. I was able to get it fixed this afternoon for only $46. All is working fine.

 

I do some work at a local independent PC shop; whenever a customer has a failed motherboard that's a socket 478, after we replace the board, we remove that CPU bracket from the dead motherboard and save 'em, since broken brackets are pretty common. We usually sell the brackets for $7.00 or install it for $35.00. So, you got a fair deal IMHO. Glad to hear it's all worked out, and that you didn't damage the CPU by powering up without the heat sink properly attached

 

I glad things worked out. I've found my local PC repair shop very fair in their charges, about $30-50 for labor and retail for the part. Which is better than most auto repairs that double the price of the part before even thinking about putting it in.

I wouldn't want to pay them for putting in RAM but figuring out whether my CPU or motherboard is at fault would be a bargain to me.

 

Hi Gulf,

Glad you got it worked out. Thanks for the thanks.

Jim