processor/heatsink/thermal compound question

Lent a buddy a board with a 1.4 athlon and 512mb crucial memory with the intentions of him buying it. He decides a couple of months later not to buy it. He did however in the process redo the thermal compound on the heatsink and chip. Upon removing the processor today I noticed that the thermal compound is not only on the processor (little square chip in the middle) but all over the place. Im wondering if he has toasted the processor by getting compound all over the place or if this isn't going to harm the processor in any way. Can anyone clarify this for me? It been so long since I have done this I can't remember if this is ok or if its really bad.

thanks in advance

 

First off did he use any type of high quality silver thermal compound(i.e Arctic Silver 1,2,3,5.) These are electrically conductive and if they get on the bridges and resistors they can and most likely will short out the processor. If it's white thermal compound don't worry about it and just clean it off with some paper towels and rubbing alcohol. Let it dry before putting it back in. Alcohol evaporates very quickly so it shouldn't be too long. Remember a little bit of thermal compound goes a long way. It only has to be spread to the > .01" thickness.

 

Thanks for the info ironsnipe. He had the white stuff on there but had also smeared artic silver II all over the brigdes/resistors, it was caked everywhere. Im pretty sure the processor is toast. We worked out a deal. I came down in price to help him out a bit. We should have it resolved soon. I feel kind of bad because it was an honest mistake but the stuff was in working order when he took it months ago. Oh well, live and learn.