PSU meltdown, need help recovering!

[gvblake22]

I wouldn't buy both right away. Just eliminate the bad parts one at a time until you get your system working. That way you don't buy both a processor and motherboard only to find out it was just the motherboard that was bad and the original processor is actually just fine.

[qazwsx]

I hope its nothing bad at all mate. nasty thing happened there, got me worrying about mine now

[snickers12]

i cant get my processor out - its under a heatsink which wont budge!! I pull the levers down on either side - but then i didnt budge!! sorry to sound like i have no idea what i'm doing but i dunno how to get off the heatsink..... arggh!!

[qazwsx]

what cpu and socket is it?

[snickers12]

its a pentium4 so it would be socket 478 - i'm doing my CompTIA A+ right now (!) . it says intel on the heat sink..

[gvblake22]

A lot of times the Thermal Interface Material (a.k.a. TIM) can create some suction or adhesion between the surface of the processor and the base of the heatsink making it difficult to remove. But if you can't get the lever released from the retention bracket, then I'm jumping ahead. And just because it is a Pentium 4 does not mean it is socket 478. There are just as many Pentium 4 processors (if not more) that were made for LGA775 (Socket T).

Please make a signature listing your system specifications (as required in the Forum Rules).

[Panda Man]

My old 478 stock heatsink could be a b@#$! to remove sometimes, what I would do is release the switches, then pull off each individual clamp. I would normally have to pull it away and then up.

[snickers12]

This is spec PC - although it will probably change very soon, i guess :(

[gvblake22]

If you are sure it is a socket 478 processor, you can follow Intel's installation guide to see what you need to do to remove the heatsink...

[snickers12]

ok. I've managed to take off the heat sink and the CPU was actually stuck to the heat sink - it has melted on it!!! So i guess the CPU is out...
But just had a thought - reckon it might have affected my GPU??? that would be awful if i have blown my graphics too.... i'm gonna check with someone elses motherboard but cant til later in the week...