removed and reinserted CPU, computer doesn't work

I have an HP desktop with an AMD Athlon 4600+ processor. It started to get noisy with the fans running all the time so I decided to open the cover and dust it out using canned air.

I unlatched the clip that holds the heat sink down so I could remove the HS and blow it out too...and the processor was attached to the bottom. I tried pushing the processor back on to its mount but wasn't able to and also bent a couple of pins.

I then removed the processor from the heat sink (put a razor blade at one corner and tapped the blade with a hammer and the processor fell off) and attempted to straighten the pins I had bent. They looked pretty straight to me. I then was able to raise the locking bar on the mount, insert the processor, and then lock it in using the locking bar. It seemed to go in correctly. I then put the HS back on top (after blowing it out), clipped it on, and plugged the computer back in.

The computer will not boot. It gets through the HP splash screen where I can choose to enter the BIOS etc, but when it says "starting windows" (I'm running windows 7) it just flashes away from there and says unable to start windows. I cannot boot into safe mode either. When I go into the BIOS, the BIOS detects the CPU, the RAM and the HDD.

How bad did I screw up? Any advice or things I can try to get this thing back up and running?

Thank you!

 

Firstly did you use any 'Thermal Paste' between the Heatsink and the CPU ?? If you are booting as far as trying to load Win7 this sounds like a software problem, have you made and saved an Image backup?? as if so try that, also have you reset the Bios??

 

I didn't use any thermal paste. Nor did I remove the caked on thermal paste that was already on (and dried out) the processor.

I did not make an image backup but I do have a backup of my files if I need to reinstall the OS. I just can't imagine that it is a software issue as the computer worked fine before I removed and replaced the CPU.

I did not reset the BIOS...how do I do that?

Thank you for your help!

 

You need to remove the old thermal paste from both the fan and the CPU. If it is caked on, carefully use a razor blade to scrape it off (to avoid damaging the pins on the CPU, I usually do this with the CPU inserted into the motherboard and the PC unplugged). Don't put too much new compound on - I usually put a dab in the center of the CPU along with a zig-zag drizzle line up and down the CPU, similar to the lines of icing on a glazed donut or pastry. If you don't have thermal paste, the quickest place to buy a tube is Radio Shack or a local PC parts store.

Unplug the PC and remove the button-cell battery from the motherboard. Wait about two minutes then reinsert it. When you turn the PC back on, you'll have to reset the date/time in the BIOS.

Finally, check your power supply connections. If either the large (20-24 pin) or small 4-pin connector are loose, this will cause the PC not to start.

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you Gman863. The computer does start but Windows won't load. That could be from not having thermal paste?

I will reset the BIOS and post my results.

 

Thanks guys, I figured it out. Apparently I blew two sticks of RAM at some point in this process. I noticed when I was in the BIOS that it said slots 2 and 4 were empty when in fact I have 1GB RAM sticks in each of my 4 slots. I removed the RAM from slots 2 and 4 and now the computer boots.

Question - I can go to Radio Shack and get some thermal paste, but I'm frankly a bit nervous about removing the heat sink again and messing with the processor. It seems like if the computer was working ok with the paste that is currently on there it should be ok now, even though it's old and dried out, its the same stuff that was there before I separated the CPU from the HS. Is replacing the thermal paste necessary, or just a good maintenance practice?

Thanks for your help!

 

Yes I would repaste as your computer has not been under stress yet and replacing is not that difficult with care lol Use some ''Acetone'' to remove the old Paste, Nail Varnish remover is what I use which comes pretty cheap if ya aint got a girlfriend that uses it. As I said earlier if it gets stuck to the HeatSink SSSSSSSSssslllide it off.