Removing Vantec Aeroflow HSF

  • Thread starter Thread starter UnDupable
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UnDupable

I've put on, but never taken of a HSF before. And now I have to take off my
heatsink to install a new CPU. It's a Vantec Aeroflow and I'm afraid that
I'll break the motherboard if I force it too hard. Anyone have any
suggestions?
 
I've put on, but never taken of a HSF before. And now I have to take off my
heatsink to install a new CPU. It's a Vantec Aeroflow and I'm afraid that
I'll break the motherboard if I force it too hard. Anyone have any
suggestions?
Click to expand...

Use a flat blade screwdriver that will just fit into the slot on clip.
Press down with the screwdriver and pry the clips off that side. Release
pressure and remove cooler. Give it a good cleaning before remounting it.
It does take quite a bit of force to compress the spring to get the clip
off. That why the proper size screwdriver is important. You could cause
real damge if it slip off while pressing down.
 
Wes Newell said:
Use a flat blade screwdriver that will just fit into the slot on clip.
Press down with the screwdriver and pry the clips off that side. Release
pressure and remove cooler. Give it a good cleaning before remounting it.
It does take quite a bit of force to compress the spring to get the clip
off. That why the proper size screwdriver is important. You could cause
real damge if it slip off while pressing down.
Click to expand...

I also recommend putting a piece of thin cardboard(poster board?) under the
clip, just as a little insurance for a slipped screwdriver. Never needed it,
but there may be a first time.
 
UnDupable said:
I've put on, but never taken of a HSF before. And now I have to take off my
heatsink to install a new CPU. It's a Vantec Aeroflow and I'm afraid that
I'll break the motherboard if I force it too hard. Anyone have any
suggestions?
Click to expand...
I've got two Vantecs. Use a screwdriver that fits in the slot and slipping
out won't be a problem. Some mobo manufacturers have plastic shields around
the CPU socket for protection, but if yours doesn't a small piece of
cardboard is cheap insurance. Hold the Vantec steady, but only apply
pressure on the clip using the screwdriver. I have two Antec SX835 cases
with enough room to remove and reinstall without removing mobo, but I would
recommend removing mobo if you are new at this. Lay mobo on a non conductive
surface. I have used cardboard and the thin foam sheets sometimes used for
packing. And take your time.

FRH
 
Amir Facade said:
I also recommend putting a piece of thin cardboard(poster board?) under the
clip, just as a little insurance for a slipped screwdriver. .......
Click to expand...
...........and based on my recent experience, it'd be nice if that thin piece
of cardboard could have a sheet of metal lying atop it--had one slip and cut
several "traces" recently--and cost me $60 to have it replaced by Asus and
keep the waranty in tact!.........I immediately found a screwdriver that fit
much better, heated it in a vise and put a nice curve near the blade's end
esp. to install/remove heatsinks. That curve allows for in/out movement as
downward force is applied to the spring.
HTH & good luck. s
 
Don't listen to 'em.
Forget the screwdriver deal; it's a tragedy waiting to happen.
Use a socket wrench with a long extension and a small socket that just
fits over the tab. A ¼" drive setup is what I use. You can put a lot of
controlled downward force on the socket wrench to get the tab free,
and with the tab enclosed by the right sized socket you have to almost
consciously screw up to make the wrench slip off the tab.
With the long extension, once you have the tab pushed down far enough,
you have a bit of leverage against the heatsink to move the bracket
away from the plastic tabs on the cpu socket without worrying about
all the tension you have precariously balanced on the bracket tab with
a screwdriver slipping when you try and move it out away from the HS.
Of course not all tabs are created equal, but it's extremely good insurance
for your motherboard to do it that way.

I've put on, but never taken of a HSF before. And now I have to take off my
heatsink to install a new CPU. It's a Vantec Aeroflow and I'm afraid that
I'll break the motherboard if I force it too hard. Anyone have any
suggestions?
Click to expand...
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Amir said:
I also recommend putting a piece of thin cardboard(poster board?)
under the clip, just as a little insurance for a slipped screwdriver.
Never needed it, but there may be a first time.
Click to expand...


Try a credit card instead. It affords a little more protection.
 
S.Heenan said:
Try a credit card instead. It affords a little more protection.
Click to expand...
For S.Heenan: I used my credit card--but too late and not in the fashion
you recommended. Wish I'd read your post earlier! sdlomi2
 
sdlomi2 said:
..........and based on my recent experience, it'd be nice if that thin piece
of cardboard could have a sheet of metal lying atop it--had one slip and cut
several "traces" recently--and cost me $60 to have it replaced by Asus and
keep the waranty in tact!.........I immediately found a screwdriver that fit
much better, heated it in a vise and put a nice curve near the blade's end
esp. to install/remove heatsinks. That curve allows for in/out movement as
downward force is applied to the spring.
HTH & good luck. s
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea! Some heat sinks require fan removal to get enough tilt
on a straight screwdriver to remove the clip.

TFM®
 
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