Hello, Wayne.

-=> WAYNE CHIRNSIDE wrote to JASEN BETTS <=-

 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.

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

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

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

 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?

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

Good luck - - -  JimH.

... "Bother!" said Pooh, as his system crashed, and wouldn't reboot.
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