Michael Hennebry wrote: > On Wed, 27 Nov 2013, m.roth at 5-cent.us wrote: > >> Michael Hennebry wrote: >>> On Wed, 27 Nov 2013, m.roth at 5-cent.us wrote: > >>>> One thing I've never done, or thought of until now, was whether the >>>> thermal grease between the CPU and the heat sink had dried out. If >>>> it's running hot, that's a possibility, so you might clean that off and put >>>> on some new (a buck or so at any computer parts store). Doesn't need >> much - the force of tightening the heat sink will spread it much farther than >>>> you expect it to, and you don't want it coming out the sides. >>> >>> "the force of tightening the heat sink" frightens me silly, >>> but I suppose that would be better than a dead CPU fan. >>> My recollection is that that does not come off. >> >> Not to worry. It will probably be a lever that you push down and it >> catches. I doubt it's like in some servers, where you screw it on... and >> even in that case, you screw it till you feel it stop turning. > > I found my fans and am about to get some thermal > grease and a megohm resistor for static discharge. > Sometime today or tomorrow I will likely > open the case with fear and trepidation. > The sides and top of the case are metal, but painted with an insulator. > The front is plastic. > The back is metal. > I expect I should touch that before opening the case. > What about after? Is there something else I > should touch before trying to edit its guts? Don't worry. Things are a *lot* less static-sensitive. If you really need grounding, touch a water or gas pipe. > > If thermal grease is the problem, > how do I find out and how do I clean off the old stuff? You can start with a paper towel. The FE who was in a month or so ago used an alcohol prep pad. > I've read that just adding more is not a good idea. > If I add to much thermal paste, what do I do about it? I'm still working on "how much". I'd say put a squirt in the middle. Make an CPU ______ | | | OO | |_____| Maybe a little more. Don't make a deep puddle - you're just smearing some on. Ever put anti-seize on your spark plugs? <snip> mark