CPU Fan Help

[Jin]

Hi I have this CPU fan thats getting really annoying it has these two latch that you pull back too the other side and these 4 legs that wont release themselves from my socket it came with the day I bought the computer in 2003 so its a old hope someone can help me with a clue or tip.

 

[magicman]

First thing, make sure you're grounded. You could be having problems not with the latches themselves, but the thermal compound between the cpu and the fan. After a few years, that can be rock solid. Small twisting of the fan assembly can show how solid.

Some people use screwdrivers between the motherboard latches and the metal of the fan - I would be very careful because one slip and you can scratch the motherboard, not good.

If the worst comes to the worst, you can unscrew the whole plastic array off the motherboard - the fan will come off with it.

You have to treat the cpu with care whatever you do.