Our new house got struck by lighting several weeks ago and it blew out all of the telephone systems and the computers. The smart thing to do would've been to turn it in on my homeowner's insurance, but since computer parts are relatively cheap nowadays, I figured I could save myself a few hundred bucks if I could repair the computer for less than the $500.00 insurance deductable.

I price-out things like the motherboard, and found a SOYO Dragon P4 board on-line for $82.00, then I find a 1.6Ghz P4 chip w/ heatsink and fan for $150.00. Ordered them both and they all arrived on the same day last Friday.

CAREFULLY reading the instructions on "How to mount your P4 processor to the motherboard", it noted in the instructions to "Use the enclosed syringe of heat sink compound" and apply it to the top of the processor. Once mounted in the motherboard, I do just that, and then proceed to mount the Heatsink and fan to the processor and board.

Once it's all mounted up and ready to go I finish completing the rest of the computer, and power it up for the first time. Nothing happens. Try again... nothing happens. I fool with this damn thing for 3 hours before I got frustrated and said "***K it!! - I'm taking this thing to a computer shop".

Today I recieved a call from the computer shop, and they proceed to tell me that by applying the heatsink compound to the processor, I fried the new processor - which in turn fries the new motherboard.

I explained to them exactly what I did, and they said to call Intel. I just got off the phone with Intel and they said, "Because you applied the heatsink compound to the processor - you VOIDED YOUR WARRANTY". Then this Intel wench tells me.. "Sir, our chips are not designed to be installed by end users"... and then she hung up!

I'm now out $282.00 + shipping - all for following instructions.

I just had to VENT!

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Barry Floyd
Floyd Entertainment Group
Lebanon, Tennessee

Stardust Drive-In Theatre
Watertown, Tennessee

I apologize if these are "no duh" questions, but it could just be something simple. By the way, you did use the fan that came with the processor, right?

Another dumb question, you did replace the power supply, right?

None the less... Intel said "No heat sink!" IF that's the truth then do be it. Where it comes down to, IMHO, is the company who told you to apply the heat sink to the chip in the first place. If you followed their instructions to the letter and that action caused the equipment to self-destruct I would imagine that THEY should be liable for your problem.

Often, companies use disclaimers and exclusions that are supposed to protect them from damages caused by end users' actions but it was THEY who told you to do this. I would imagine that it would be THEM who should be responsible for replacing it.

If a cop told you to park your car at the edge of a cliff then open the door and get out, would you comply? No! Of course not! It's patently obvious that you'd fall to your death! You shouldn't comply.
On the other hand, you would have no way of knowing that following the instructions you were given would kill the computer.

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Another thing, make sure the power supply has a high enough rating. For the P4 I wouldn't use anything less than a 300 watt power supply. I can't remember how picky the SOYO boards are on PS issues though.

As for Intel telling you that applying heat sink goo to the chip voids your warranty, they wouldn't replace the chip for you even if you didn't (by the way Intel retail packages have the heatsink gooed to the chip). Intel only warranties products back through the distribution chain, so you have to return it to whoever you bought it from. As far as bad chip warranties go, a reputable computer dealer will usually have a 30 day warranty from their supplier from the time that they bought it from their supplier.

Since this is now going to cost you twice as much as you intended you may want to look at going with an AMD processor, a little less expensive for about the same/faster speed.

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Also, regarding AMD vs INTEL goes...I say always go with the Intel stuff. You will have less problems in the long run and large strings will calculate correctly. Also much of the software out there is designed for running on INTEL. Remember, in the computer field one gets what one pays for. Every AMD based computer I've put together has one sort of kink or another to it. Thats why most professional computer techs say when they see an AMD based computer, "What, Another Major Disaster".
Mark

I would suspect the problem is more related to the motherboard or the power supply...perhaps the wrong processor core voltage setting.

I agree with Daryl, always invest in a quality mother board like ASUS.

>>>Phil

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I have used many Soyo boards and never had a problem with any of them. I have found them to be as reliable as any other out there.

As far as the Intel vs. AMD debate, that falls under the same category as Ford vs. Chevy. Both are quality products (AMD has VASTLY improved their chips in the last 3 years).

As far as Intel basically telling you to take a flying leap, they have that right, simply because it does state on the box of the processors "For Professional Installation Only" AMD would probably give you the same response.