dolari: (Allison)
Jenn Dolari ([personal profile] dolari) wrote2006-02-20 07:50 pm
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ATTENTION COMPUTER GEEKS! FELLOW GEEK IN TROUBLE!

Okay folks, I need your help:

While getting the computer ready for moving, I noticed that the heatsink over the Intel 845g chip has come loose. One of the clamps for "catching" the heatsink onto the motherboard has not only fallen off, but gone completely missing. I dont' know how long it's been running like this, but if the problems I've had with my floppy drive are connected (FLOPPY FAIL (40)) then I've been running without the heatsink for a month,

My options seem to be:
1) Run the computer without the heatsink (probably not a good idea)
2) Run the computer WITH the heatsink, but on it's side so the heatsink stays on the chip (What I'm doing now)
3) Try to make my own loop without shorting the board
4) Pay through the nose to find someone to repair that stupid little loop
5) Say your prayers and start saving for a new motherboard

Any others I'm missing? Anyone out there know how to fix a simple little clamp?
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[identity profile] soltice.livejournal.com 2006-02-21 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
It depends on the heak sink itself. Some times just have a metal bar through the middle that attaches to plastic prongs on either side. Others have an integrated one that's (somewhat loosly) attached to the sink.

It might be possible to get some twine or wire from a craft shop and use it to jury-rig a bar. If so, I'd probably take the sink out for moving, just so it doesn't come loose and break something else on the board.

[identity profile] jenndolari.livejournal.com 2006-02-21 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
The problem isn't the bar, that's there, as is the actual heatsink. It's one of the plastic "prongs" that's dissapeared. Perhaps I could thread some string through the incredibly tiny holes left behind?

[identity profile] soltice.livejournal.com 2006-02-21 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oooo...ouch.

*thinks* If you don't plan on upgrading the board, you could possibly use superglue. It would be risky, of course. I don't remember what the conductive properties of it are when dry. Two Part Epoxy would be non-conductive, since Epoxy (if I remember) is used to make circuit boards.

If possible, you could glue the sink to the chip itself. The problem is that this would offset the structural stress to the CPU pins.

Another option would be to modify the case. If there's enough clear space between the CPU and the other side of the case -- the cover part -- you can make a mount for the heat sink and just have it press-fit over the chip when the case is closed. It would be finicky as hell, though.

I know that there's a lot of different solutions out there. The case modders have come up with a lot of different cooling ideas, one of which might work for your situation. (Although I think I'd stop short of submersing the motherboard in canola oil... ^_^)

[identity profile] kisai.livejournal.com 2006-02-21 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
Just get one from a dead motherboard (I assume you are talking about the "plastic nail" type of thing... too bad I still don't work at futureshop or I could swipe one from the dead box. If you are talking about the entire assembly, well x_X

FYI... you -CAN- glue the heatsink to the chip, but that's a one-shot deal. If you glue it and you mess up, you won't get a second chance as pulling it back off will destroy the chip.

Time to invest in a new computer or second-hand just the motherboard of ebay or something.

[identity profile] jenndolari.livejournal.com 2006-02-23 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
It's this wierd looking loop thing that isn't on my only other motherboard. And this computer is a lot like my truck. I keep getting told I have to get a new one, but it's gotta run long enough to get me to work to afford a new one.

Hopefully the epoxy'll work just fine. If not...there's always the Pentium II. :P

[identity profile] kisai.livejournal.com 2006-02-23 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
Does it look like this?



[identity profile] jenndolari.livejournal.com 2006-02-23 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Darn it, I packed the camera cable, but not the camera. :P Here's a quickie sketch:



The bar that puts pressure on the heatsink catches on these loops. One of the loops is still there, the other has gone missing, but you can see the socket where it was on the board. I can get a picture as soon as I unpack the camera cable at the new place.

[identity profile] jenndolari.livejournal.com 2006-02-27 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
More like this one. I've gone ahead and applied the epoxy. I want to test it out, but it's been a really busy day. :P
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