Hi. Everytime I open a pc case nothing goes SMOOTH. I have encountered a PROBLEM doing what I thought would be a simple task. I need to replace a damaged HARD drive, to remove the drive I have to take off the heatsink and fan. I undid the clips and gently pulled up and away came the heatsink with the processor stuck hard to the bottom. I cannot get the processor from the heatsink its stuck hard I have applied reasonable pressure but it stays. I don't think I can put anymore pressure on it because I think it will damage the cpu. Anyone else had this problem and any hints or tips on how to remove.
Regards
ChrisWait, you're removing the Hard Drive right?Yes the hard drive. To slide out the drive i needed to remove the heatsink and fan to let the drive out. It is quite compact you see. ThanksI don't understand how the hard drive could be on top of the processor?

Although I have to go now for a bit, can you give us a picture if possible?No it isn't on top its at the side when i slide out the hard drive it hits the fan.Do you have a digital camera? If so, pictures would be very helpful here.

And ONE more thing. Just to clarify

This is a Hard Drive


This is a Processor (CPU)
ok perhaps i need to explain myself better sorry. I need to remove a hard drive I cannot pull it out of the case as it hits the heatsink and fan. I removed the heatsink and fan and was able to slide the hard drive out. Now as i pulled out the heatsink and fan the cpu came attached to the bottom of the heatsink and its stuck so well i cannot remove it. I need to remove it so i can HOUSE it back in to the motherboard socket. The short and long of it really is how do i get the cpu off the bottom of the heatsink with out applying to much pressure ensuring i don't damage the cpu

ThanksThe bond is easier to break when the HS + CPU assembly is warm.

1. Lay the cpu+heatsink on a piece of wood on a table and warm the heatsink with a hair dryer. For more gentle heat leave the assembly under a reading lamp for an hour or so. Once the heatsink has got warm, the thermal compound will soften and you should be able to (avoiding bending/damaging the pins) twist the cpu left and right to break the seal, without applying a lifting force.

If no luck, encourage separation by...

2. having warmed as above, use a toothpick to make a drop of isopropyl alcohol (toxic, flammable) go into the gap between cpu and heatsink. Introduce some thin fishing line or dental floss between the cpu and heatsink, then with a back and forth sawing motion, adding drops of isopropyl, make it cut through the softened heatsink compound until the cpu can be twisted to completely release it.

Clean off the old compound with isopropyl and the edge of an old credit card and use a good material such as Arctic Silver 5 when you reassemble, to avoid the problem in the future. Don't use too much, a blob the size of an uncooked grain of rice should do.




Also depending on the CPU there are plastic covers for most to protect the pins from getting bent while doing this...
Any repair shop should have some lying around and probably won't even charge for them.Thank you, thats seems like some good information and i will try it.

Regards
Chris