Computer Equipment Failure

Heat sink detached
Originally uploaded by dewelch

I was called out today to check out a system for a client only to find that the system was really sensitive to movement and was shutting down after only a few minutes of operation. Opening the unit I quickly discovered why. The heat sink that keep the main processor from melting down had broken its attachment and was sitting, ineffectually off to the side. No wonder the system didn't work.

The client is off buying a new computer now as this unit was about 5 years old. I am unsure how anyone would heave repaired it though, as the attachment where the springs loops connect to the motherboard had failed completely.

A couple of more photos are available on my Flickr photostream. Click the photo for more.