Reattaching the stock CPU cooler?

[laiders]

I had an issue with my computer crashing within about 30 seconds of starting up. I checked BIOS and found my CPU temps were around 70-80 and rising after checking inside my PC I found the (stock) CPU (E6750) cooler was only attached by the bottom two pins.

I'm not sure why they came undone, I built the PC in November and it's run fine until this morning, whilst there's a chance I could have not attached them properly I doubt it would take this long for them to come loose?

Is it safe to re-attach the stock cooler like I installed it the first time or do I need to buy some thermal paste? Also if the computer is also shutting itself down automatically from the temperature is it likely to put my components at risk or should they be fairly safe?

[alexnifty]

Hmm. I wonder if the pins were in the right position when you secured them.

If you do it correctly then you just push and click the pins into place, nothing else, don't turn them afterwards, thats to unlock.

I reckon you should get away with just sticking the stock fan back on with the existing compound.


If you feel like spending £15 to £20 on a good cooler then look at this post/thread (http://forums.aria.co.uk/showthread.php?p=33548#post33548); plenty of recommendations on new heatsinks and fans.

[laiders]

I went and got some thermal paste to re-attach it with anyway. The white fork on one of the top pins was bent when I took it out, I guess I caught it when I attached it and it gave pressure trying to spring back to its correct shape which eventually pushed the heatsink loose. I've made sure it's in properly and at the bottom now and it seems like no harm done ;)