-=> JIM HOLSONBACK wrote to WAYNE CHIRNSIDE <=-

 JB> well, they bend the strap into a sort of [ shape and it clips onto the
 JB> lugs on either side of the socket.

 WC> Well the lugs on either side of the ZIF socket here are plastic and
 WC> it's because the original cooling solution was so loose
 WC> that this problem arose.

 JH> I can't really remember coming across that problem.  More usual to see
 JH> some that seem too tight.  Since the heatsink has already cooked one
 JH> cpu chip, best be careful.  Sounds like something is wrong, doesn't it?

It was physically loose as mounted.
With the heatsink attached fan I never imagined I'd
have a cooling problem, looks can be deceiving :-(
Good 1/2 MM or more play between CPU ceramic and heatsink
I discovered too late.
Proprietary NEC machine.

 JH> Maybe you have the wrong size or type of heatsink?  Be sure to check
 JH> for flat plane contact between heatsink bottom and top of heat spreader
 JH> plate on the chip. Some heatsinks have a "ridge" or a
"ledge" on bottom
 JH> which can interfere with proper mounting.  Some Socket 7 sockets have a
 JH> higher than usual "shelf" where the lever mechanism operates (under
 JH> where it says "Socket 7"), and if bottom of heatsink contacts that
 JH> shelf before bottom of the heatsink seats properly on top of the cpu
 JH> chip, bye bye cpu chip.

 Yeah, this I figured and it's why the modem may see service in the
 H.P. instead of the NEC first.

 JH> Rummage, rummage.  Ah, here's a heatsink with a turned-down ridge along
 JH> one edge. Mounting it over a ceramic type Pentium chip,  in a Socket 7
 JH> - the ridge is taller than the height of the Pentium chip, so it
 JH> contacts the socket before bottom of heatsink comes down flat on top of
 JH> cpu chip. Heatsink just kinda sits up there "rocking"
around. Not good,
 JH> and this is the type problem I'm cautioning you to be careful about.

Well either the manufacturer or the purchaser wasn't :-(
Worked when I got it for a time though the hard drive was
well and truely munged being a W.D. 1.6 Gig famous for failure.


 JB> there's also thermal compound that sets like glue out there...

 WC> Now I was thinking that would be a good idea.

 WC> Feel free to name the product... anyone?

 JH> BIR, Arctic Silver has one like that.  Their products can be right
 JH> pricey.  I think "overkill" for a P200MMX, for which a well-fitting
 JH> heatsink/fan and a thin layer of thermal grease should work just fine.
 JH> IME once those glues set, it is permanent, and trying to remove the
 JH> heatsink will generally result in a broken cpu chip.

Don't know about this kind of adhesive but ordinary
ether based starter fluid in a spray can disolves most all
epoxies I've tried it on rather nicely.
I'll go either way to bring the machine up whichever
presents in my calling around
I expect Arctic Silver has actual silver in it hence the price.
Having some on hand might not be a bad thing as you use so little
per application
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