Just added new thermal compound to CPU, now laptop beeps loud and won't boot.

Nonpossible · Dec 30, 2015

Here's the story,

I wanted to clean out a laptop I have had for a very long time and apply new thermal paste to the CPU heatsink. I have done this on desktop computers before so I figured it wouldn't be that different aside from the pain of dis-assembling the laptop.

I got everything apart and cleaned off the old thermal compound using coffee filters and a little isopropyl alcohol. I applied the new stuff and re-assembled the laptop, ensuring everything was reconnected properly as I went.

When I went to boot up again all I got was a blank screen and a loud beep. Does anyone know what the problem might be? I don't have time today to take everything apart again but was wondering if anyone had an idea what I might have done wrong.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

ohiou_grad_2006 · Dec 30, 2015

If you were using arctic silver or some metallic paste, you didn't accidentally get any one any pins did you? If so you might have created a bridge and fried something? Might try to clean it off and go back over it again.

Martell1977 · Dec 30, 2015

What make/model laptop? How many beeps? Does the activity light blink like the computer is booting but without display? Have you tried reseating the RAM (if more than 1 module, try swapping which slot they are in)?

Nonpossible · Dec 30, 2015

ohiou_grad_2006 :

I don't see how I could have gotten any on the pins but I will check when I dis-assemble again tomorrow. I didn't use arctic silver. I just bought some generic stuff from a computer shop down the road. Maybe that's part of the issue.

Nonpossible · Dec 30, 2015

Martell1977 :

It's a Dell N7010 17". It beeps continuously. The screen has a slight flicker, and I have not tried re-seating the RAM. I will try that tomorrow before I go into detailed troubleshooting. Thanks for the suggestion.

Martell1977 · Dec 30, 2015

Nonpossible :

Another thing to try would be replacing the CMOS battery or at the very least, reseat it. It is possible that it is not seated properly and so causing an issue. If the thermal paste needed replacing, it's probably a good idea to replace this battery.

For future reference, Arctic MX-4 is a non-metallic thermal paste that has excellent performance. I have used it in 4 laptops and 5 desktops, on both the CPU's and GPU's.

ohiou_grad_2006 · Dec 30, 2015

Wait a second. Continuous beeps. Do you have a key that's stuck?

Nonpossible · Jan 2, 2016

Dis-assembled the other day and found the video cable was slightly canted. I thought I seated it properly the first time but I guess not. Thanks for the help, guys.

ohiou_grad_2006 · Jan 2, 2016

Good deal, glad it's working.

Nonpossible · Jan 3, 2016

ohiou_grad_2006 :

I kept thinking, "there's no way this thing is gonna sh** the bed on me now! Not after 6 years!"

Search

Just added new thermal compound to CPU, now laptop beeps loud and won't boot.

Nonpossible

Distinguished

Martell1977

ohiou_grad_2006

Splendid

Martell1977

Splendid

Nonpossible

Distinguished

Nonpossible

Distinguished

Martell1977

Splendid

ohiou_grad_2006

Splendid

Nonpossible

Distinguished

ohiou_grad_2006

Splendid

Nonpossible

Distinguished

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page