PC Build (a few hiccups)

brian_ire

hi im in the middle of my first pc build, and im trying to attach the zalaman alcu7000a to msi k8n neo platinum. i already have the heatsink on (is that a problem can it dry out??) but the problem is the motherboard already had a backplate on it and it has nipples fixed to it so i cant unscrew it. so i cant connect the zalaman to it cuz the nipples are too small.... ahhh!

i dont have a clue what to do now, cuz the back plate is glued on!

any suggestions,

ps. im really scared the heatsink is gonna dry out or somethin like that (yes im a newbie!)

thanx

brian

[edit] ive encountered a few more problems have a look below, thanx ppl![/edit]

Pacifico

Originally posted by brian_ire



ps. im really scared the heatsink is gonna dry out or somethin like that (yes im a newbie!)

Do you mean the thermal paste might dry out? If thats what you mean, it wont

Can you get some pic of what you're having a problem with?

brian_ire

yeh sorry i meant the termal paste, its on the cpu and the zalman,

il'll try get a pic up

if you go to here http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/usa_index.asp

you and go to "how to install" and then go to cnps7000 you will see that a backplate has to be attached to the motherboard then u put on a washer and attach nipples. however on the msi k8n neo plat. there is already a backplate on but it has little pre attached nipples. im nearly positive it was set up for the fan u get with the retail athlon 64's

brian_ire

ok sorry slight development but i still aint sure yet.

here is a pic of what i was talken bout;

http://www.viperlair.com/images/reviews/cpu_mobo/msi/amd/s754/k8n/socket.jpg

at the start i got rid of the black plastic thing cuz Mr. zalman instructions didnt mention it being there, si when u do that ur left with lil tiny nipples (there's so many jokes to be had but i really am quite scared). but i've just realised and yes i am a bit slow that i could just connect the zalman directly into the black plastic thing, theres a bit of a problem tho, cuz the zalman i movin slightly off the cpu when i pull at it?

will this do, or is that a big no no??

duridian

I think the trick for removing the original backplate on your motherboard model is to get a hairdryer and heat up the backplate so that the glue softens/melts. The backplate should then come off more easily.

I hope I'm understanding you correctly but if you have forced off the plate and are left with lugs/nipples then I hope you didn't damage your board in the process.
If the heatsink is able to move any bit off the cpu then no, it certainly is not good enough as it's vital that the heatsink has good contact with the cpu, otherwise the cpu could burn out the instant you power on the system.
The original nipples as you call them will likely have to come off as they probably are the wrong height or whatever measure for the Zalman.

knifey_spoonie

Not really answering your question , just that you said that the paste was on the cpu and the heatsink. you only need the barest minimum of that to be applied, I personnaly rub a but the size of the cpu die onto the hestshik and then shave a bit off with a credit card. it only needs to touch the die itsself, and if you have it on the cpu and the heatsink you have too much, too much man you took too much.

brian_ire

@duridian

nah i didnt force the backplate off, tis still on it. i'm a bit nervous at taking a hairdryer to my motherboard, just sounds like its gonna damage it somehow

@knife_fighter

why did they give me so much then!! im like a fat kid in a candy shop when it comes to things! how bad is too much, and sure i can just scrape it off cant it

So is the best way to take off the backplate with a hairdryer?????

thanx again

brian

duridian

Well Brian not having your particular motherboard I can only tell you what I heard other users saying. You don't have to keep blowing hot air at the plate til you could fry sossies on it, just get it nice 'n warm which makes the glue more pliable and hopefully make removal easier. Don't worry, the amount of heat required is not enough to do harm to the electronics if that's what you are nervous about, hold the hairdryer(normal 1600watt pistol style of hairdryer assumed) about 2 feet away from the board and you should be fine

The following is a quote taken from the faq on this motherboard on the MSI website forums at:


http://forum.msi.com.tw/thread.php?threadid=51994

Q: How to remove the.backplate and install aftermarket-cooling ?:

A:If you wish to install and aftermarket cooling-solution, you might have to remove the original backplate, unfortunately its glued to the board. Please be careful when removing this, so that you wont scratch the board in this sensitive area. Methods used sucesfully include:

Using pliers to lift the plate, by grapping hold of the angled edge, inserting a pice of plastic or other "non-threatening" material in the gap that is produced, do the same to the opposite corner, and twist the backplate loose, by twisting the two inserted pices of plastic.

Using a blowdryer, carefully heat up the backplate, until you can remove it with your fingers.

BKtje

Yer that way above is the best way.

What i did with that board was fiurst to remove the front bits. The a hairdryer for about 10-15 mins which heated up the glue. I then got a pliers (or similar) and very carefully (dont touch the mobo with the pliers!!) lifted it up enough to push a credit card underneath. Once the credit card was in i used the hair dryer to melt glue and push in the credit card at the same time. When most of it was off i got a good frip with the pliers and carefully prised it off.

Be carefull tho as some sensitive bits behind the socket.

brian_ire

hey, i took a different approach, i didnt remove the backplate, i just used to exsisting screws that came with it, (big long ones) and screwed in the zalman, seems to be grand now, the fan is seatin on nice and tight.

BUT......

Heres my new problems,

1. PC wont boot if i have a keyboard attached

2. If i dont attach a keyboard, it boots and says

Verifying DMI Pool Data
Boot from CD

NVIDIA Boot Agent 197.0402
Copyright (C) 2001-2003 NIVIDA Corporation
Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
PXE - E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE - MOF: Exiting NIVIDA Boot Agent
DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

I'm completely stuck,

I'm booting the comp. with the motherboard cd and i also get the above.

Help me,

Thanx!

silverside

Try borrowing another keyboard if yours is a USB one.

Is it possible your CD / floppy drive is faulty? Have you tried another boot disk (either floppy or CD?)

Once you can get it to recognise a keyboard you can play around in the bios, try resetting everything to factory defaults to see if it then reads your CD>

brian_ire

the keyboard is PS/2, i dont have a floppy on the system kinda didnt need one so i didnt bother buying one, i only have a dvd RW drive

Giblet

Originally posted by brian_ire

DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

Em, did you try installing an OS yet

brian_ire

lol mmmm no, i thought i'd have to use the cd supplied with the motherboard first, still leaves the problem tho, that i cant attach a keyboard

silverside

as has been said you need a bootable OS cd, either WinXP or Mandrake would be easiest.

brian_ire

yeh i got a new keyboard and installed windows and im flying with marty!

thanx guys!

duridian

brian_ire wrote:

yeh i got a new keyboard and installed windows and im flying with marty!

thanx guys!

Good stuff!