Proper CPU cleaning

[tgxiii]

I think I may have messed up my CPU....

I was making a new build with an MSI K7N2-Delta mobo and a 2500+ Barton. I applied AS3 on the CPU but I ended up spilling a bit, so I cleaned it with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

I continued to put together everything else. When I tried turning it on for the first time, it would stay on for a split second then turn off.

My questions are, what is the proper way to clean off AS3 from a CPU? Could the alcohol have messed it up? If the alcohol didn't mess it up, what could be wrong?

[rpertusio]

The alcohol shouldn't have harmed anything. I typically clean CPU's like that.

- make sure you dont have any Arctic Silver anywhere but the 'die' of the cpu

- make sure your motherboard isn't shorting out somewhere

[JayMan]

The isopropynol wouldn't have messed anything up, i'd guess there is still some AS3 somewhere shorting something?

JayMan

[tgxiii]

I tried cleaning out as much of the AS3 off the CPU except on the center die.

I tested out the components. I used a known working CPU (2400+) on the MSI mobo and it wouldn't boot up. So I used a different HSF and it still wouldn't boot up. I put the 2500+ into a known working mobo (Abit KV7) and it booted up. So I'm guessing it's the motherboard.

Anyone have any ideas? I made sure the jumpers are set on normal and not on clear CMOS. The front panel connectors should be at the right place (at least the power on connectors) because I am able to turn the computer on and off using the power button at the front of the case. I've run out of ideas....

[rpertusio]

check that the other pins/jumpers are set correctly. Make sure the 'reset' button isnt being shorted out or backwards, etc..

pull out any 'extra' parts that arent needed to boot the computer. (You should only need CPU/Heatsink, Memory, Vid card, motherboard, Power supply). If it works, then you know a component connnected is causing it to fail boot.

If it still doesnt boot after you've removed all the non-essentials, then try taking the motherboard OUT of the case, and place on a non-conductive surface (wood/telephone book/etc). If it boots, then you know your motherboard was shorting out on the case!

or, try swapping the parts into the 'known working' motherboard. (memory/vid card, etc..). Maybe one of those 'essentials' is non-functional.

you could also try holding the computer up to the PC gods in the sky for their blessing.

- rp

[tgxiii]

I've already checked the power supply, memory, vid card, CPU, heatsink, and mobo.

The only jumpers mentioned in the manual are those that set the FSB and the CMOS reset jumper, and I checked those already.

How do I make sure that the reset button isn't being shorted out? I also checked to see if it was backwards and it's placed correctly.

I'll try placing the mobo on a non-conductive surface. Would magazines work?

[HeadBand]

yeah magazines would work but if you have an esd bag use that

[DallasDon]

If that is the retail version, It came with a "L" bracket, that has led diagonistics, with the codes for the lights in the mobo manual.

I don't own the mobo any more, And I forgot the codes. It is a useful tool for isolating problems, however.

The best non conductive material I have found is located in the John. It's called a bath mat, rubber backed.

[tgxiii]

Well, I got it to boot up. I don't know what I did. Except now I have a different problem. Thanks for all the advice. I'ma start a new post about my other problem.

[danielwritesback]

I had an athlon 2100+ and a 2800+ on cheap mainboards that I replaced with better. The 2100+ got a new heat sink because I did not like the 70c. It was previously mounted with white paste that was easy to remove. I installed a common Thermaltake CPU cooler with slow 80mm fan. I got 38c. However the 2800+ did not fare so well. It had been installed with a cooler that used the pink pad and the 2800+ was permanently pink. Nothing has removed the pink. Installing a new cooler with the same pad got 66c. So, I put the old cooler back on. No joy!--66c. Admittedly, the Abit board was running the processer hard!! 20% performance gain. And, the room temp was 78f. Then I tried cleaning the heatsink and applying silver paste. The power light blinked and THE PC WOULD NOT BOOT. Hmm--Silver, a conductor? Hoover (bag type $50-sale-K-mart) and the wedge attachment got the invisible silver speck off the mainboard in about 2 seconds. And, it booted right up. No joy!--68c!!! The silver stuff was worse!!! Here's the point of my story. 91% alcohol reacts with the pink stuff fused to the top of the processor. That pink stuff contains wax!! Alcohol turns wax into insulation. Back to K-mart for $0.91 glass cleaner (softens wax). Cleaned processor with alcohol and then ammonia glass cleaner, applied more silver stuff (rice sized bit), remounted the heat sink, and Hoovered again. No boot. Cleaned area around processor with pledge. Boot! Joy!! 56c (room temp 80f). A factory clean processor would be at 52 given the room tmp. A week later, still boots every time and still 56c. Anyway, pc won't boot? Hoover the silver bits out. Pink processor? Clean with alcohol. Clean off the alcohol residue with ammonia glass cleaner that softens wax and apply paste immediately.