2

I don't know what's wrong. My computer was on a bench and I used thermal paste (probably too much of it at first) and my computer still worked. But after I put everything back in the tower it didn't boot up.

I took the CPU out and noticed that some bits of it got on the chip but not the side that touches the pins. Did this damage the CPU? And I also didn't wear any grounding gear, did I static shock it? I held it by its sides with my bare hands (though it was still working after I held it for paste the first time).

I put the CPU and fan on another motherboard and still it doesn't boot. And it worked fine before and after putting thermal paste on. I tried as suggested by some to lessen some of the paste and clean some of it off the CPU's top metal plate, but still nothing. Is it ok to clean the chip part of the CPU with rubbing alcohol? What about the side that touches the pins?

Another question: Putting the CPU fan back on feels like I'm putting a lot of pressure on the board, does this damage it?

Any ideas? Did I kill my CPU?

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2

If you follow the above mentioned criteria;

  • Always use anti-static wrist bands
  • Use very little thermal paste
  • Be careful of cleaning, this can cause static energy too.
  • Whats "alot of pressure". Yes, you need some pressure, but not alot.

You should be fine. However, I'd like to touch on a few things, beginning with the anti-static wrist bands and overwhelming amount of blame a static discharge gets. I've been working in the electronics industry for well over 15 years, in all my years, I might have come across 10 instances where static electricity could have been the cause. Am I saying you shouldn't invest in wrist bands? No. What I am saying is, its good to be aware of the potential threat a static discharge can have on motherboard components, but I wouldn't wrap yourself in static bags and anti-static boots, and clamp yourself to an anti static wrist band.

When he/she said "Use very little thermal paste" it's no joke. Believe it or not, if you coat the cpu chip just enough to where you can see the information on the chip through the thermal paste, you got it on just about right. Less than paper thin, almost a hazing, is good for most CPU thermal paste applications. Typically, if I'm going to clean and apply new thermal, I first unseat the CPU, clean it thoroughly with alcohol or other non-aggressive cleaners, get everything shiny and new (including around the edges). Then, I reseat the processor chip, apply my paste, and put it all back together for a test run.

The majority of the time its a success and your off to the races. Sometimes though, things go wrong, when that happens, remember a little less thermal is never a bad thing.

Improve this answer
1

If it was a thermal problem, then the CPU would run normally for a while, then overheat and shut down.

So it sounds more likely that you did in fact create a short (perhaps some paste did leak onto some pins?), or that you fried the CPU with static electricity.

Improve this answer
2
  • im pretty sure the leak didnt to the other side where the pins touch. theres no way to "see" if the cpu is static fried is there?...
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 13:27
  • and yes its an asus motherboard...
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 16:27
0

We can't tell for sure that it's broken with the amount of information you supplied so far. However the things you say could have broken it.

  • Always use anti-static wrist bands.
  • Use very little cooling paste
  • Be careful with cleaning, this can cause static energy too.
  • Whats "alot of pressure". Yes you need some pressure, but in my opinion not alot.
Improve this answer
4
  • yeah im still wondering cuz i handled it once and applied too much paste the first time but it still worked...how sensitive is the cpu prone to static? cuz i only picked it up like 4 times by its sides. i was always wondering if it was cuz of the paste on the cpu, so can i clean it with rubbing alcohol just like the plate? and the pressure i mean is the force you have to give to press down and lock the cpu fan in place. thanks again
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 13:19
  • ok nvm i didnt fry my cpu despite a bit of paste spill and non ground handling. im just not pro, since i needed my mon to see if there was a POST, i kept the vid card on but no ram, that was my prob. i didnt know the vid card needed the ram to operate JUST to get to boot. so thats another lesson learned. but now another problem arises, my computer doesnt always boot lol.
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 15:45
  • well seems like its a manufactured defect, if the whole world is complaining about it. the asus pk5 series is notorious for not booting, and some ppl say updating the bios helps and some say it still doesnt boot.
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 17:58
  • 1
    if any fellow sufferers are out there, this is my final and best way to almost ensure a boot. the more complcated way is to remove the cpu, but its risky to play around with that one. the easier way that worked too was removing the battery beside the cmos reset. hope this will always ensure my future boots....thanks asus....
    – f_lau99
    Commented Oct 25, 2012 at 17:59

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .