Computer Issues

[sirhades123]

So my computer is in definite need of a new heat sink, as it is warm to the touch and, when I opened it up to spray it with compressed air, I saw that the inside of one of the parts of the case had scorch marks from burnt dust.

[Antilegend]

Are you familiar with how to replace a heat sink on a motherboard? If not, I strongly suggest you bring it to someone that can handle it professionally. Without proper application of thermotape onto the motherboard, you can brick the entire motherboard.

How old is your machine? Is it still under warranty?

Edited May 7, 2015 by Antilegend

[sirhades123]

Are you familiar with how to replace a heat sink on a motherboard? If not, I strongly suggest you bring it to someone that can handle it professionally. Without proper application of thermotape onto the motherboard, you can brick the entire motherboard.

How old is your machine? Is it still under warranty?

1. I am not familiar with heat sink replacement.

2. I may know a place that can help with it.

3. My machine is about a year old.

4. I will have to ask about the warranty.

[Antilegend]

1. I am not familiar with heat sink replacement.

2. I may know a place that can help with it.

3. My machine is about a year old.

4. I will have to ask about the warranty.

If you haven't done so already, please check on the warranty. All OEM companies offer a one-year warranty on all of their products, and that includes a heatsink replacement as it's a mechanical fault on their product. The downside is that you'll need to send your machine away for approximately ten days, but you'll save yourself hundreds of dollars should it be under warranty.

If your machine is not under OEM warranty, check your receipt from the place your purchased it from to see if you bought some in-house warranty. Vendors like Future Shop, Best Buy, etc. all offer warranties on major purchases. I can almost gurantee that you were offered one when you purchased your machine.

Worst case scenario, if you're shit out of luck on the warranty front, purchase a heatsink and have it replaced on your motherboard with someone who knows how to properly apply the hardware. Heatsinks, aside from processors, are the biggest pain in the ass to replace, and do require some finesse to apply properly. The good is that your machine will be up and running within a few hours, but the bad is that you'll be paying out of pocket.