CPU overheated

[sluggy]

My son decided in his wisdom to clean out his desktop computer tower of all the dust inside. He unclipped the fan that was cooling the CPU to clean and unfortunately clipped it back the wrong way round. This has caused the CPU to overheat and I fear it has damaged it. My question is, does this mean a new PC or can it be repaired? Many thanks for any advice given

[ChuckFickens]

You fear it's damaged it?

Have you tried it to see? just put the fan on correctly and power it on and see what happens, if it's starts at all then it's fine.

If it has damaged it then you'll probably only have to replace the CPU (although there is a chance it's fried the main board too) How easy it will be to get a replacement CPU depends on exactly what make and model of computer and what's in it at the moment.

[sluggy]

Thanks for your swift reply.. After he had cleaned it he put it back together and it worked fine until i suspect it overheated and shutdown. There was a slight burning smell from the unit and now the tower wont turn on at all now. The make is a Hewlett Packard. Can it be salvaged?

[AlBags]

You would have been better off answering CF's comments.
Replace the CPU and try it. Look for a replacement on eBay.
There is a likelyhood it is the CPU stopping a startup.
(No-one removes the fan from the die for cleaning .. use a paintbrush to get dust out of the fins, and blow away!)

[AlBags]

(and remount with some transfer paste between die and heatsink)

[ChuckFickens]

A burning smell is never a good sign!

If you have cooked the CPU then it's very likely that a replacement CPU from Ebay (as Al said) will sort it out, try and get one that comes with the required thermal paste for mounting the heatsink to it, or ensure you buy some at the same time.

There is a slim chance it may have damaged the motherboard. But realistically the only way to find out is to try a new CPU.

A little more info than just it's a HP would help though, because if you are going to buy a new CPU then it may be possible for you to fit a slightly better one but this depends entirely on exactly what you have at the moment.

[ChuckFickens]

So you've seen people that don't use thermal paste because they don't know they should too then :)

[sluggy]

thats all very well in hindsight. He knows he shouldnt have taken it apart and now regrets it bitterly but boys being boys its a mistake he's now paying for. If he has to buy a new PC then so be it but if it can be repaired it will save him some money.

[sluggy]

cheers.. sorry, I'm a complete technophobe when it comes to computers. I will take it to my local computer shop to see if it can be repaired

[ChuckFickens]

There's no reason why yourself (or the boy) can't replace the CPU yourselves. it's not a tricky job.

If you simply post the full long model number and the part number, both from the HP label on the computer base unit (don't post the serial number) somebody can check the correct CPU to buy and give instructions on fitting.

[deggers316]

it is difficult if you have no idea about computers better to take it to a "local" comp shop rather than risk breaking something else,even getting to my cpu is hard without taking it to pieces to get the motherboard out

[AlBags]

Do it yorself! It's easy!
Drop the chip in (handling carefully by edges and paying particular care with alignment direction)
Apply clip or slider .. whatever it is.
Apply small amount of paste and carefully fit cooler. Carefully tension fit the clips or screws to hold in place.
Make sure fan connected to fan outlet connector on Mobo.
Check/watch fan on powering up to ensure it runs straight away.

[AlBags]

Post the Motherboard name/model.

[deggers316]

take no notice of the last post it is not easy if your a novice

[AlBags]

lol
If you can remove the covers and unclip a fan to gain access to CPU, you can replace a CPU.
Its just a small board you drop in a slot and lock in.
Very little you can do wrong .. it can just be a little fiddly.

[deggers316]

well i'm not a novice and i cannot get my fan unit out the clips are impossible to get at without bending the mother board so no go, my cpu is pentium 3.2 ghz dual core

[AlBags]

So they are not a screw clip? ..
A tension clip that you place a screwdriver blade (into the slot) and press down and unhook?