Author Topic: Need help! How do I clean this? (Read 373 times)

Krusty · « **on:** July 05, 2006, 03:04:11 PM »

I've got a P4 with stock Intel heatsink and fan. I found an exact image of it off the web.

It's got spiral teeth, that as air flows over it cools and keeps the CPU cool. The only problem is that the area between the fan blades and the heatsink instantly becomes clogged with hair. I tried using some tweezers once to get under the fan blades, but it's very ineffective. I tried gently pulling the fan off, but it won't come off. I'm afraid if I try to pop it off with a screwdriver or something that I'll damage the heatsink itself.

So how the hell am I supposed to clean this thing?!?!?!

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:38:41 PM »

looks scary ...

but i bet with a small screwdriver you can pop the fan off or the whole hs off .

did you try compressed air yet or the imfamous leaf blower ?

Krusty · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2006, 04:10:20 PM »

I've not tried compressed air mainly because there's nowhere for the hair to go but further in (then I'm screwed).

It looks like the fan comes off, but the plastic is harder than it looks, and doesn't want to bend enough to release the clasps. I was afraid to use a screwdriver. I don't know what damage that might do.

Not to mention this is inside a tower case with wires, PCI cards, AGP card, RAM, and 2 HDs, 2 more drives, etc etc. One slip with screwdriver = dead something-or-other.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2006, 04:40:49 PM »

Dunt make fun of the leaf blower. It'll straighten yer curlies out Rosco.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2006, 04:57:48 PM »

use the force young padiwan ....

Either that or the vacumn .. (thats what i use most of the time) just dont tell anyone.

it does look like the fan clips will pry pritty easy though or even thumb squeze . look closely

Balsy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2006, 05:23:38 PM »

Home Depot has a special on power washers, it;ll get it clean AND you get a water cooled rig to boot.....er ....maybe it wont boot, but it WILL BE water cooled.

Balsy

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2006, 09:44:13 PM »

Shop Vac.

Dont laugh. It works

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2006, 09:47:57 PM »

actually it looks like it should pop off quite easily
Im betteing there is a black clip like the one shown in the front just like it in the back.
It looks like its designed so that if you simply squeese the top of the black clip it should unlatch it and you should be able to lift it right off.

the way it looks like its designed. To put it back on simply press it down till the clips snap back in place

Krusty · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2006, 09:48:37 PM »

Haven't got one.

I don't think vacuum alone will do it, because the hairs sort of mat themselves in after a while. Compressed air *might*, I'll have to try that. I'm going to try one more time to get the fan off, but it's already in the case with all the other stuff so it's hard to get in there with my huge mitts.

Auger · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2006, 12:40:47 AM »

This is a bit drastic, but let the CPU run for while, preferably with something really busy, like a good GV fight, or a 20 plane furball. Shut the system down and pull the fan and heatsink off the CPU. (The heat is necessary if it has one of those sticky pads bonding it to the CPU.)

Take the fan off of the heatsink, then toss the heat sink in the dishwasher or spray if off with a hose. Sounds rough, but it will get the cruft out. Then bake the heat sink at 250 for about 30 minutes to make sure all of the water is out of the fins.

If it has a sticky pad, scrape it off with a stick (don't use metal, it'll scratch the surface and hose up the cooling). Get some thermal compound from Radio Shack or your local computer store. Reinstall. TA-DA!

Krusty · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2006, 01:01:36 AM »

I was forced to remove it because I tried to twist it off (it looked like it would rotate then slide off!) but it started bending the blades. I used it as an excuse to use the arctic silver 5 I had but had not used yet.

Basically the only way to get the fan off the heatsink was to break it. Just a little. It's still secure enough now that I have no doubt it will stay put, but the fools that designed it didn't leave any way to safely remove it!

68DevilM · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2006, 12:56:36 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
I was forced to remove it because I tried to twist it off (it looked like it would rotate then slide off!) but it started bending the blades. I used it as an excuse to use the arctic silver 5 I had but had not used yet.

Basically the only way to get the fan off the heatsink was to break it. Just a little. It's still secure enough now that I have no doubt it will stay put, but the fools that designed it didn't leave any way to safely remove it!

start trimming ur chest.....