I damaged my opteron 170 removing the IHS incorrectly

[ny_driver]

I was trying to pry it off at first is how it happened.
The little white looking speck in the black rectangle along the edge is what I scratched.....here is a picture and although it's not that good you can see what I am talking about.
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/4150/1226091748.jpg

I'm wondering just what that black rectangle is or does, and where can I find out more about the chip, and if anyone thinks there may be a way to repair it?

Thanks for looking.

[Neon_WA]

[ny_driver]

yeah I've got the heat spreader. I took it off to try to reapply TIM. One core was running 10c hotter idle and load, and hitting mid 60s under load. I had it OC 1000 MHz and the other core was 50-55c, so I thought I'd try to improve it a little.

EDIT: and if that's no problem scratching that then why isn't it working now?

[Neon_WA]

its not going to be easy putting the heatsink back on with with the heat-spreader detached...

plus also you will have to make sure you have good contact between the core & heat-spreader... otherwise the CPU will cook.

you gunna have to use thermal paste between the heat-spreader & heat-sink like normal... plus also between the core & heat-spreader


EDIT >> the heat-spreader is normally well attached to the core... so removing the heat-spreader may have damaged the core

Double EDIT >> not sure on thermal features on that processor... but if there a gap between the core & heat-spreader.. it will get very hot.. very quick.. and stop operating to stop the cPU getting fried.

Someone with experience with them.. may know betta

[ny_driver]

I understand I need to reattach it and put AS5 inside the cpu as well as on top of it. I did that and put it back in and all I get is the continuous beep. Something is wrong with the chip. I'm trying to find out more about what I damaged and if it can be fixed.

EDIT: it was just thermal paste in there...I doubt I damaged it that way.

[vezhlys]

Continuous beep? Have you looked at other parts? Is RAM or video card inserted correctly? You can try to remove one memory stick (if you have two or more). It can be a PSU problem too. Continuous beeping usually indicates problems with these parts, not cpu...

[ny_driver]

I know my other components are fine, but maybe it's just acting weird. I will try putting some different ram in there, only 1 stick to see if it boots. Thanks.

EDIT: wow I took 1 stick of the ram out and it booted right up! I'm stoked.
The temps seem a bit closer now, only about 6 degrees apart. I just counted out a lot of possibilities, because it worked fine before, and it worked fine with the other chip in there after. Thank you Vezhlys. I also read the beep code charts, but I was just convinced that I ruined the chip.

[Neon]

Reasons I can think that the processor failed (I'm not saying it has, just giving possible reasons):
1. One or more traces was damaged by the tool you used to pry off the IHS. The photo is a little out of focus, so it is hard to tell how deep is the scratch - it does not look too bad, though.
2. Damage to the pins.
3. Attempt to run the processor without thermal interface material and heatsink. Unlikely you would try that, but some people get impatient and try a, "quick test to see if it's working".
4. ESD. Dry weather, indoor carpeting - Zap!

[ny_driver]

it was just an odd ram issue, with the same ram I was using before and after with my other chip. I took 1 stick out and it's running, I'm on it now! I bet it will be fine when I reinstall the other stick of ram. thanks everyone for the suggestions. Whoooohoooooo!!!!!!!

EDIT: the Opteron won't boot with 2 sticks of RAM, I even tried a different pair. All the RAM I am using is memtested, and works fine on the single core 3700+....and it worked fine on the Opteron before my little operation. Any ideas?

[Mixeur]

Memory controller of cpu partially damaged

[CPUShack]

or its a motherboard issue

[Wizzard1]

I agree with Mixeur.

[ny_driver]

that's what it is, it does the same thing on my other rig..only runs single channel. I wonder if it can be repaired?

[vezhlys]

If a problem appeared because you scratched it (damaged tracks) then it is almost impossible to repair it I guess. You can try to clean a scratched place (but it probably won't help). I don't think that a controller is damaged itself if cpu core is ok (my guess).

[ny_driver]

the cpu works fine, but only in single channel mode. I tried it on another mobo and got the same result. dual channel works fine with different cpu on both mobos. the chip is definitely damaged in some way so that it won't run dual channel memory. it would be great to see a diagram of the layout of the chip and what everything is. It'd be even greater if someone said they thought maybe they could fix it and to send it to them.