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sanity
08-23-2002, 02:55 PM
:x :x :x :x :x :x

This is my first time putting together a CPU and a motherboard.
I've read the instruction booklets carefully and I've read several
"build your own PC guides," but I'm not sure how to handle the
following situation.

I have a new Abit KG7-RAID mobo and a new OEM AMD 1600 XP 1.4 GHz CPU (Cache: 256K BUS: 266MHz Socket A (PGA)). My KG7 mobo does support 200/266 Mhz bus (100/133 double data rate). So after following all the instructions painstakingly, I gently drop in the CPU after lifting the ZIF handle to a right-angle. The problem is that the CPU pins go down pretty much all the way, but it does not fit perfectly--the best way I know how to describe it is that it is slightly "off": it tilts a little bit, just like when one of those cheap plastic chairs in high school would lose one of the metal discs at the end of the leg and the chair would wobble back and forth when you sat on it. The CPU wobbles a little bit even though its pins go almost all the way down into the socket. Why the hell won't it fit perfectly??!! The CPU is socket A which I think is synonymous with socket 462, which is what the mobo socket is.

When I close the zif handle, I have to apply a little force (about as much as is required when putting a thumbtack into a corkboard bulletin board); an article at motherboards.org said "no force should be required when putting the zif handle back down."

Anyways I have a degree in stupidity and a minor in impatience so I went with that, even though I could see the CPU pins when I looked at the CPU/socket combo from the side. I put the HS/fan on and a graphix card and ran with that. The BIOS boot screen came up fine, did mem test 512 MB fine. It showed the CPU rated as 1050 mhz, but I'm not too worried about that since the BIOS needs an update (only supports 1.33 GHZ with its current BIOS, but a look at the abit web site now has BIOS update up to AMD 2100).

One more question: after I took off the heatsink (when I couldn't stand the thought of having a crooked CPU, even though it seemed to be working) the thermal pad had partly melted and transferred to the CPU core. Is that normal? (yes, a turbo-newbie question! :)

Thank you verrrry much for your time and trouble.

BipolarBill
08-23-2002, 03:31 PM
I guess that if i works, you shouldn't fix it. My guess is that you got a line reject from AMD with off-spec pins.

Don't forget to turn your FSB up to 133Mhz for the Athlon. That will give you the proper results - about 1380MHz. Don't forget that the 1600 is a marketing number - not real MHz.

Yes - the wax thermal pad is supposed to melt. I wouldn't re-use it. I would go to Radio Shack and get some thermal paste.

sanity
08-23-2002, 03:38 PM
Originally posted by BipolarBill
I guess that if i works, you shouldn't fix it. My guess is that you got a line reject from AMD with off-spec pins.

Ok, sounds good--but I have a one-year warranty so maybe I should just get a replacement. I'm worried that I'll have heating problems or something.


Yes - the wax thermal pad is supposed to melt. I wouldn't re-use it. I would go to Radio Shack and get some thermal paste.

Ok thanks. That brings me to something I keep forgetting to ask--what should I use to get that stuff off the CPU? I've heard ppl use acetone/fingernail-polish-remover to get it off the heatsink, but is that going to be safe on the _CPU_core_?

Thanks for your help and time.

BipolarBill
08-23-2002, 03:45 PM
Use your fingernail. Use rubbing alcohol to finish up. Others will say otherwise, but I use WD-40 on a wrapped fingertip.