Computer wont power off, i had to unplug the motherboard because the clamp that holds the heat sink came loose, and now i think i may have plugged things in the wrong places, power button wont work, shut down command wont work, nor will sleep

INSIDE A COMPUTER OR THE HEAT SINK FOR YOUR COMPAQ COMPUTER?

The "CPU" or central processing unit, otherwise known simply as "the processor," is the primary "brain" of the computer. Processors are very finely engineered components that are not repairable. But replacing a failed processor is an option for the owner of any model Compaq Presario desktop computer. Just check with HP/Compaq for the correct and speed of processor for your motherboard before purchasing a replacement.

Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables. WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Remove the cover. Lay the computer down flat. If there is a plastic hood covering an exhaust fan, remove it by pressing in on the indicated release tabs. Examine the processor assembly. The processor is a square chip that is covered by a metal heat sink with fins. A fan will often be mounted on top of the heat sink; unplug its connection to the motherboard. Two clips usually secure the heat sink assembly to the top of the processor. Gently press down and slightly away on the flat end of a clip to release it. Avoid using a screwdriver to release a clip; a slip could scratch the motherboard. Release the clips and gently remove the assembly. The heat sink should separate, leaving the processor behind in the chip holder. Clean the bottom of the heat sink. Use a paper towel and a dab of solvent cleaner to remove the old thermal paste. Set the clean heat sink aside. Lift up the lever to unlock the old processor and remove it from the pin mount. Insert the new processor chip. Align the pins on the processor to the "cut off corner" or dot on the pin mount. The processor should drop into the pin holes easily. If the processor won't drop in easily, check the pin alignment. Once the processor is inserted correctly, pull down the lever to lock in the chip. Apply thermal paste to the bottom of the heat sink. Apply enough paste to cover the area of the small gray rectangle on top of the processor. Apply the paste with a spreader made from a piece of flexible plastic. Spread the paste evenly to a thickness of two sheets of paper. Check the heat sink mounting alignment and lower the heat sink onto the top of the processor. Reinstall the mounting clips. Reattach the heat sink fan to the motherboard if necessary. Plug in the computer and monitor and boot. If the machine won't boot or it emits warning "beeps," unplug the power and monitor, and troubleshoot your work until the computer boots successfully. Shut down again and replace the exhaust fan hood. Close up the computer and reboot. Hope this helps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=thermal+paste

WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL.

http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules

The "CPU" or central processing unit, otherwise known simply as "the processor," is the primary "brain" of the computer.

Processors are very finely engineered components that are not repairable.

But replacing a failed processor is an option for the owner of any model Compaq Presario desktop computer.

Just check with HP/Compaq for the correct size and speed of processor for your motherboard before purchasing a replacement.

Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables.

Remove the cover.

Lay the computer down flat.

If there is a plastic hood covering an exhaust fan, remove it by pressing in on the indicated release tabs.

Examine the processor assembly.

The processor is a square chip that is covered by a metal heat sink with fins.

A fan will often be mounted on top of the heat sink; unplug its connection to the motherboard.

Two clips usually secure the heat sink assembly to the top of the processor.

Gently press down and slightly away on the flat end of a clip to release it.

Avoid using a screwdriver to release a clip a slip could scratch the motherboard.

Release the clips and gently remove the assembly.

The heat sink should separate, leaving the processor behind in the chip holder.

Clean the bottom of the heat sink.

Use a paper towel and a dab of solvent cleaner to remove the old thermal paste.

Set the clean heat sink aside.

Lift up the lever to unlock the old processor and remove it from the pin mount.

Insert the new processor chip.

Align the pins on the processor to the "cut off corner" or dot on the pin mount.

The processor should drop into the pin holes easily.

If the processor won't drop in easily, check the pin alignment.

Once the processor is inserted correctly, pull down the lever to lock in the chip.

Apply thermal paste to the bottom of the heat sink.

Apply enough paste to cover the area of the small gray rectangle on top of the processor.

Apply the paste with a spreader made from a piece of flexible plastic.

Spread the paste evenly to a thickness of two sheets of paper.

Check the heat sink mounting alignment and lower the heat sink onto the top of the processor.

Reinstall the mounting clips.

Reattach the heat sink fan to the motherboard if necessary.

Plug in the computer and monitor and boot.

If the machine won't boot or it emits warning "beeps," unplug the power and monitor, and troubleshoot your work until the computer boots successfully.

Shut down again and replace the exhaust fan hood.

Close up the computer and reboot.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-February-2012/1490

Hope this helps

if all four lights are red your av cable or hdmi is loose. if its 3 red lights this is the red ring of death (RROD) and it needs repair. microsoft has a 3year warrenty for this problem. what happens is the console gets hot and the "x" clamps holding the heat syncs to the chips bends the motherboard and causes the CPU or GPU to come loose enough to where they aren't making proper contact with the board. I've fixed several of these including 2 of my own. what you do is take it apart, remove the clamps and the heat syncs. clean the chips. apply new thernal paste and replace the problem causing clamps with screws and washers. plug in the xbox with out the fan hooked up for about 3-5 minutes until you see 2 red lights flashing which indicated the console is ovrheating, let it overheat for 2 minutes unplug it and tighten the screws. the overheating of the console softens the solder on the chips and allows you to tighten the back into place.

This is the video I watched to learn the process. Its part 1 of 9 i think">

Its possible for you to fix the problem your self.
how ever the fix may not last long .

Ok hear we go

find a video on how to strip the box down to the P.C. board.
pull the board out of the chaise by the small heat sink only
do not disturb the big heat sink at all or you will break the
seal an get 2 reds ( over heating)

Now that you have the main board in your hand
flip it over a carefully very carefully pry off the x clamp
bracket holding down the small heat sink for the G.P.U.

remove the heat sink from the board ,take out the four
studs under the heat sink . clean the gray heat sink off
the top of the two chips with rubbing alcahole ,do the
same with the heat sink then apply some heat sink compound
to the chips place the heat sink back on the chip
get four 10-32 by 3/8 long and EVENLY screw down
the heat sink Not too tightly ( snug not tight) .

Put the unit back together ,leave out the white fan
shroud plug everything back in and leave the fan
hanging out .

Now plug in the power and a/v cable place and hold
the fan over the Large heat sink for C.P.U. and turn on
the power .I should take 4-5 min till the fan gets up
to full then another 3-5 min to over heat Two red light
be ready to unplug the second this happens .
let it cool down for about 15-20 min and you should
have restored your video feed. I cant say how
long it will last .

if you have any questions feel free to email me

Rob

Take some heat sink compound
that you can buy from raido shack




now that that you have the main P.C. board in your hand.

u must untie ur mother board from ur cabinet now u must use paper rings both side of ur motherboard where u can screw the motherboard . i think that motherboard is using extra ground. otherwise u must check heatsink of green chip it may be loose or without heat sink compound plzzz untie heat sink and use heat sink compound on green chip now retie the heat sink . enjoy and good luck

Check the clamp of the cooling fan. If the clamp is not engaged, heat sink didn't take the heat away from the micro processor causing CPU over heating.

Check your heat sink and fan assembly. It sounds like you have a bad heat sink and your cpu is getting to hot.

This depends on the CPU and the heat sink. The heat sink is fastened to the socket on the motherboard on two sides. It will be fastened to a tab on each side. In all likelyhood, the heat sink will have some sort of handle on it. AMD processors these days have a little lever that must be moved from the far right position up to the center. This loosens the heat sink and you can reach down to unhook first the side with the lever from the socket and then the back side. Intel processors seem to have a flat metal piece that must be pushed down to relieve tension on the clamp. As you do so, you have to get down by the socket on the motherboard and push the metal clamp away from the socket. This takes some doing, as it's quite tight. Once you have released the one side, the second side is loose and can be unfastened.
The heat sink can now be pulled up (use a slight twisting motion if possible to break the seal between the heat sink and the CPU. If the computer is several years old, the seal will be hard to break.

Which one of these CPU's are you using?

Any Pentium 4 fan will do. The pc will not boot without a CPU fan plugged in.