removing CPU for upgrade

I have a Socket 7 motherboard which now has a K6 233. The board supports, at max, a K6-2 400. I want to get a 400 and breathe a bit of new life into that system for about $20. How do I go about taking the heatsink and fan off the socket so I can be sure nothing will be damaged in the process?

 

IMO you can't in an old computer. Heaven only knows how they're attached (some used to be GLUED in place). The doubleing of the speed is not worth the effort; you won't notice the difference. Save your pennys and get a new tower when you have enuf.

 

I agree with Sparrow. It might be different if it were a super socket 7 board that would take a 550MHz. processor or so. Then you might see a difference but from 233 to 400... not worth the effort.

 

I remember one of my first computers. It was a 200mzh Pentium. There were a lot of programs starting to come out for 233s, 300s etc. I was itching to upgrade, but my motherboard could only take a 233 which were hundreds of dollars in those days and I knew that 233 would not get me very far. I built my first computer after that.
I think if Hotaru had some applications, games that could be utilised or felt that it may allow faster startup or running programs, for that sort of money I think it would be good experience. I would prefer to do my trials/experiments on a less expensive machine than the the one I have just poured a few weeks wages into.
I agree that the heatsink could well be glued on or something could go wrong, so you will have to have the replacement ready and, actually, it probably should have it's own heatsink and fan, but they don't run very hot so the old one should do.
If you run across a problem, is the money you've spent going to cause you problems? Weigh that up against the experience that you could gain. Otherwise bide your time and save for a new machine.

Read what is involved at the Actic Silver website:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

Read your motherboard manual on how to remove the CPU (don't lever it out with a screwdriver ) and electrostatic warnings.

If you do your research and it still goes "pear-shaped ", you will have to chalk it up to experience.

Matt
Edit: Another consideration: you will probably find that the thermal compound will set you back at least twice as much as the "new" CPU itself (unless you can...mmmm...borrow some ).

 

Thanks to all who've replied

I can be pretty sure this isn't glued. It is a home-built system, although I did not install the CPU. I got the 233 in 1997 for use with an ASUS motherboard I got at the same time. I flashed the BIOS to add LS120 support but the flash ended up destroying the IDE subsection of the board. So in 1999 I got this motherboard, and I decided to get a new case too.

The new motherboard was a FIC VIA-503+ ( http://www.fica.com/ ). Some versions of this board do go above 400, but not this one. Unfortunately, the new case was poorly manufactured. The cards and keyboard connector just wouldn't line up right. But it turns out I knew a man in church who had the exact same case, and he was able to modify his to make the case usable. He not only fixed my case, but did most of the assembly work for me too. He since moved away so I can't ask him, but I doubt he glued the heatsink in place.

The motherboard's manual says nothing about how to remove the CPU, only how to put it in.

 

You've got to get the fan and heatsink off first (usually as a unit); then the CPU comes off in the reverse order that it was placed on the mobo - usually just lift the arm on the right side of the ZIF socket and that releases the chip so you can just lift it out.

Be sure to follow matt's advice re: static etc. and have everything grounded.
Sounds like you're ready to build a new computer. It's easy if you're careful to follow directions to a 'T'. The more practice you have the better, so go for it!
And don't be discouraged if your first forray is a disaster; we've all had our share of disasters.