h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hmmm, seems my machine is getting old.
Had problems with shutdowns and it not wanting to start up.
After checking the drives out (all OK) I went through the usual. Graphics card check (fine, if a bit more plaster dust in there than was ideal!) and general cleaning I noticed that the CPU heatsink and fan were a touch on the, erm, wobbly side.
Not good
Still, least I know the thermal cutout on the CPU works
It's a socket 775 Intel core 2 Duo 6600 with stock heatsink and fan.

Problem is, the fan (and thus heatsink) is held in place by 4 push connectors that go through holes in the MB and have a split pin like end so they push through but don't come back. Then once that is in place there is a push and turn to lock sprung button on each. Pushing all four in secures the whole lot to the MB.

Except one of mine had come out and loosened the one next to it. The spring bit of plastic seems to have broken so periodically it unlocks and starts to wobble. Bit of a design flaw! So every so often I have to very carefully disassemble it and reassemble it. Very annoying.

And also, I guess, probably not long for this world as the thermal paste won't be working well.

Just deciding whether to go for a new heatsink/cooler or a whole new CPU and cooler.

As I kind need to replace my mouse (and prob keyboard with it) and might look at a new GPU I guess I might, but not sure yet.

Bloomin computers, nothing but trouble!

What you want is a Mac they never go wrong, ever.

I know I read it on Macworld

The pile of broken ones in our office is neither here nor there of course.

Mine's working perfectly.

So's mine!

Just how old is yours, Ictoan?

>>..The spring bit of plastic seems to have broken so periodically it unlocks and starts to wobble...<<

It's possible to repair one of these things by replacing the push fit fastener with a plastic bolt and nut, or you might be able to cadge a replacement from a local computer shop, (a small specialty place run by geeks, not an office-supply/general electronics store)

Unfortunately this usually involves removing the entire mainboard so you can access the back of it, since the metal bulkhead on which the mainboard is mounted typically prevents easy access to the back of the mainboard...

If you do this, make a note of the placement of all connectors before you begin unplugging 'em

Once you have the mainboard out of the box, check the other plastic push fit fasteners from the back of the board for damage.
If you use a plastic bolt to repair the thing, avoid over-tightening the plastic bolt/nut -- try to equalize the pressure so it's the same as the other fasteners.

You should also thoroughly clean the back of the heatsink and the surface of the cpu, and apply fresh thermal paste prior to re-assembly.

Hi Tal - yeah, had to actually remove the motherboard to effectively get at and diagnose the CPU heatsink problem. And then vacuumed it to within an inch of its life - a lot of dust and fluff in there so it won't have been operating that efficiently anyway.
Plastic bolt is a good idea, was thinking similar things. But might just decide to do the job properly! TBH I disliked the whole mounting procedure (oerr missus) and mechanism anyway. Intel never seem to be able to come up with ones that don't risk either breaking the mainboard or the chip itself. Not since the days of pentiums anyway.

MP - ah, so you haven't discovered what I did when I built it with you then? Ah well, time will tell...

Teaswill - I think it is about 3yrs old. It's just a badly designed bit of equipment from Intel. Might go back to AMD next time.

Orcus - pfft - at least I can get in my computer to fix/upgrade it whenever I want. (hmm, I wonder if that is why Macs are so reliable, people like me can't get in there to muck about with it!)

pfft?

I was being sarcastic. I may be a mac user but not really by choice!

Orcus - I know, was just continuing the whole manufactured PC/Mac opposition thing