NEED HELP!!! CPU stuck to heatsink!

Ok made a post earlier because my new P4 2.4b was gettin very hot and didnt know why. I decided to remove the heatsink from the CPU to make sure there was nothing between them. However when I removed the heatsink the CPU came out with it, it was stuck very securly to the heatsink via the thermal pad. I handnt lifted up the handle on my motherboard to get the CPU out tho!

Firstly and most importantly have I damaged any of my hardware?
Secondly How do I get the CPU unstuck from the heatsink without to much trouble?
Thirdly If I do get my CPU unstuck how do I clean the surface of it? and should I get a new thermal pad or use thermal paste?

Please help me, my dad just spent £179 on the CPU and £85 on the motherboard and I will b in serious trouble if I cant sort this out!

Why use windows when you can use doors?

If it doesn't come off when it's hot throw it if the freezer overnight. Tomorrow morning give it a little twist while pulling and it should pop off.

- JW

You can pry it off, but use a large blade to spread the load, such as a putty knife. Putting it in the freezer for a while as mentioned can make the thermal pad brittle so it's easier to separate.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

It sounds like you used too much thermal paste.... they're not kidding when they say to use only half a BB sized drop and spread it paper thin onto the cpu metal core itself only. If I were you, the first thing I would try is to wet down a Q-tip realy good and wedge it in between the HS and the CPU... do this along each side... then while holding the whole thing in your hand (do NOT put it down on a table), processor facing down into your hand, but not mashing against it, put a butterknife in the crack and using LIGHT force, twist the butter knife so that the non-serrated side twists into the CPU wafer.

WARNING: I don't know where these guys got the freezer thing unless they are pulling your chain, which is not cool.. but that is VERY dangerous for your CPU. Freezers contain a LOT of moisture which almost guarantees CPU damage.... not only that, but you ever notice how plastic bags stick to each other? That's because they are full of static electricity...

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by tastim on 10/05/02 07:05 PM.</EM></FONT></P>