David,

Even if the MoBo is dead, I wouldn't recommend brute force.
Personally, I would take a more cautious approach by releasing
the retaining clips and then gently removing the CPU assembly.

There are two different types of white  plastic plugs that go down
through the MoBo.  One type has a pin pushed down through the
top center of the plug (which "spreads" the legs on the bottom side)
and the other type is some sort of spring clip mechanism.  For the
pin type, you can usually pull the pin back out of the top center
by carefully sliding a thin screwdriver or knifeblade under the "cap"
(The pin looks a lot like a nail with a round head)  For the spring
loaded type, you can use a pair of needlenose pliers to squeeze
the locking blades (on the bottom side) while pushing the plug
out through the top of the motherboard.

Jim Meagher

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joel M. Blackman" <[log in to unmask]>


> David, isn't that universal retention mechanism a throwback to the steam
> age?  It requires some good pulling to get the CPU out even without the
> mechanism.  Since your mobo is already dead, and since there are at least
a
> few different URM's that I've seen, it is hard to describe the removal
> process. Besides that, it is almost necessary to use brute force even if
> they provide a picture with instructions. I assume they are plastic arms
> with little plastic retention plugs that stick out the bottom of your dead
> mobo.  It would be OK to pry them off the board or simply bend the arms
back
> away from the CPU until they break off (the mobo IS dead, right).  Then
> you'll need to get a good grip on the CPU (use a wrist strap for grounding
> yourself or touch the chassis of your computer, and make sure the mobo is
> resting on the anti-static mat your new one came with), hold the dead mobo
> down, pull hard to get it out.

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>