Did Arctic Silver kill my T-bird?

[BGates2B]

I'm kinda curious, I have (or had) an AMD Thunderbird 1.2 that ran fine. I decided to switch heatsinks from an Alpha 6035 to an Alpha 8045. I removed the sinks and switched them and used fresh AS2 on my T-bird. I did, however have a tough time getting the old AS2 off, it wound up smearing all over the chip surface (used alcohol and a Q-tip). I know some AS2 got on the bridges but I rub with a Q-tip and alcohol to clean them out. I actually used a used toothbrush and rubbing alocohol to clean the entire chip surface. It discolored the chip but it appeared to clean it out. The system started and ran cooler.

But after a week or two, the system sometimes wouldn't start unless I held the reset button. Then it finally stopped running. I opened it up, recleaned the proc and then reinstalled with a very thin layer of AS2. The computer startup and ran a few times before it stopped working.

I finally decided to replace both the board and chip. Now I have the mobo involved with no chip, sitting in a closet. I may buy a new 1800 for it, but I also have the old 1.2 T-bird. It appears fine, there are no burn/scorched marks on it but there still appears to be a slight film of AS2 on the surface. Is it possible I didn't get all of this off and that it's shorting it out? Is the proc still good if I can find some way of cleaning it off better?

Intel = Ford
AMD = Chevy
Friends don't let friends drive Fords

 

[Matisaro]

As2 is not electrically conductive unless under pressure, it cannot short bridges according to the as2 website.

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