Lubricate your motherboard's CPU socket by using Vaseline.
If you've ever attempted upgrading your computer's processor chip, you have probably experienced a stuck CPU socket. Over time, it becomes harder to easily connect and disconnect your processor from the CPU socket. This is why it's important to regularly lubricate the sockets on your motherboard. While it's preferable to use a substance such as dielectric gel on your CPU socket, Vaseline or petroleum jelly is an adequate substitute.
Instructions
1. Shut down your computer through the operating system. Unplug the power cable, peripheral devices and networking cables from the back of the computer tower. Attach an anti-static wrist strap to your wrist to avoid damage to your motherboard from static electricity in your body.
2. Rotate the computer so the back panel faces you. Remove the Phillips-head thumb screws, or disengage the retention clip securing the computer's side access panel in place. Lift or slide the side panel off of the computer tower to reveal the motherboard. Lay the tower on its side so the computer case's opening is facing up.
3. Remove the processor's cooling system. Disengage the retention clips, or unscrew the Phillips-head screws fastening the cooling unit to the motherboard. Lift the cooling system out of the computer to reveal the processor chip.
4. Lift up on the processor chip's release lever, or turn the locking screw one-half turn in the counterclockwise direction. Grasp the processor chip and lift straight up to disconnect the processor from the motherboard socket.
5. Apply some Vaseline to a clean cotton swab. Wipe a coat of Vaseline on the bottom side of the CPU chip. Place the processor firmly inside the socket. Disconnect the and reconnect the processor to the socket to work the Vaseline into the socket's pin holes. Repeat this until the processor chip can easily be connected and disconnected from the socket.
6. Reverse the disassembly procedure to reinstall the processor, and put the computer back together.
Tags: processor chip, your motherboard, computer back, computer tower, cooling system, from socket