chipset heat sink not detected, system halted -- WHAT'S THE PROBLEM ???

Hello, my server cannot open, neither can I enter BIOS.

It said, "chipset heat sink not detected, system halted "

Please help, what's the problem ?

Thanks!

The problem is exactly what the error message says - the heat sink has come
off the processor and the machine has shut down to prevent overheating. It
may be too late and the processor may already be fried, but you'll need to
open up the box, apply thermal paste, and reattach the heat sink and see.

Since you didn't understand this basic error message, call in a professional
computer repair person. I'm not saying this to hurt your feelings; just
being practical.

It could also be the processor chipset and not the CPU.
Open this pdf file from Intel and see page 11 of the document:
http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets...s/29226901.pdf

You also did not mention the brand of server you have, who made it?

It means exactly what it says--a missing (or perhaps just loose) heat
sink.

Since you don't understand the message that's a clear indication that
you don't know enough to fix it yourself. Get a pro. Don't be
surprised if the board is toast--thermal shutdowns don't always react
fast enough to save the equipment.

Just for grins, does this hardware detect the missing heatsink due to excess
heat, or is there some other sensor mechanism that detects its presence?

I've never encountered a board that would tell you that so I don't
know how it's sensing it. The intent is obvious even without the
knowledge of how it figured it out.

maybe it is.... If it's just the device passing a threshold temp, then
there's really no way the system knows why, unless the fan is not turning
(another sensor). Saying the heatsink is loose in this case is just a guess,
and probably correct most of the time.

But if there's some mechanism that detects continuity or something through
the heatsink mount, then that's a new thing that I would like to know more
about. The Intel doc JS mentioned doesn't give any clue.

[yenory]

QUICK FIX.

The same thing happened to me. When I opened my computer, I noticed that the "wire" that the "z" hook goes through had broken off but that the actual device was still in place. Having read numerous postings on this (apparently it is a common problem with Dell 4600C's), I determined that the error message is triggered not just when the device comes off but also if the clasp holding it in breaks. The electric current is detected by the computer. When it breaks, the computer thinks the device has come off. If the device is in place and only the clasp has broken, it's simply a matter of restoring the flow of the current. So, I found some wire that I used to make jewelry which I attached to the Z hook (clasp) and attached the other end to the small metal arched piece with two legs one of which could still be placed inside one of the holes in the motherboard. I am sure many variations of this are possible. You could put the wire inside the holes for example, if you have lost the metal peice to hook into. Be creative! Just remember to turn off your computer or you will be electocuted! This is just a temporary fix but I am happy to have time now. The Dell site says after the connection is broken it can't be restored. It will be interesting to hear what the tech says. Good luck to all of you!

Nobody here has any idea what you are talking about. You're probably using a
website to view Newsgroups when most of us use a newsreader program such as
Outlook Express which comes with Windows.

Without replying to the original thread or quoting the original thread,
nobody understands.

[VConnor]

Yenory, you are exactly right. I wish I had read your reply as it explains exactly what was wrong with my computer.

Two days ago I got that error message and my Dell 4600C would not boot up.

I looked on the web briefly and saw a few things to do. I vacuumed my motherboard that was very dusty and noticed the heat sink was not attached to the processor. The heat sink had two prongs sticking out from it and there was only one connector to connect it to. It looked like there was another connector, but it was no where to be found. I went through the vacuum bag to see if I had vacuumed it up.

I was an electrical engineer for IBM years ago and I measured the two prongs and found they were conducting. So I put a bare wire around the prong that was no longer connected and forced it into where the connector was.

The result was my computer now works!!! Way to go Yenory!!!

[Kathryn]

Yenory is exactly right. It is the heat sink on the chipset, not the heat sink on the CPU.

Each end of the chipset heat sink retaining clip (Yenory refered to as a "z" hook) is connected to a U shaped metal connector on the motherboard. This connection creates an electrical circuit through which current is passed. The diagnostics code that is built into the computer monitors this current flow.

If the current is interrupted, the computer determines that the chipset heat sink retaining clip is not connected correctly. Therefore, the computer generates an error message.

The follow url takes you to the Dell website page that explains this, complete with a photo:

http://support.dell.com/support/topi...doclang=en&cs=

The website also says: The chipset heat sink retaining clip cannot be reconnected successfully after the current is interrupted. Sounds like this may not be true.

I had the same thing happen to me. The little U shaped metal connector on the motherboard came completely out. Looks like the solder broke.
This is on a motherboard that I purchased from Dell 6 months ago, and they tell me that the warranty is only good for 90 days. Kiss those bucks goodbye!

I am going to try one of the solutions suggested here. What do I have to lose now?

I hope this reply helps someone else that has the same error message.

I just noticed your post and you find this may
be a good solution if the spring loaded retaining
clips/connector are still good. I removed the heatsink,
cleaned the surface with Arctic cleaner #1 & #2
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

Then carefully removed any old thermal pad or grease
using a soft link free coffee filter from the ship on the motherboard

Next I applied a small dab of non conductive Arctic Ceramique
to the top of the chip and remounted the heatsink.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique.htm

[Kathryn]

JS - Thank you for your reply. But in my post I said: The little U shaped metal connector on the motherboard came completely out. Looks like the solder broke.

The first thing I tried was cleaning and resetting the heatsink on the cpu with new Artic Silver and that didn't work, so that's when I found the answer in the Dell website: It is the heatsink on the chipset, not on the cpu.

Yesterday I put the little U shaped metal connector back in the holes in the motherboard and reattached the retaining clip, and Walla, it booted right up. But in just a few minutes it went zinging out of there because there is an incredible amout of tension in that retaining clip . There is no way to hold it in other than to have it re-soldered. But I was really happy to see that it would boot up.

SC Tom. Thanks for your reply. I have one question. Since one of the U shaped connectors has pulled completely out of the holes in the motherboard, is there something I can use to glue the prongs back in the holes? (The prongs will go back in the holes but will not stay). Then I could run a jumper wire from one U shape connector to the other.

The heatsink still seems to be firmly attached.

As strong as that retaining clip is, I'm not surprised that pulling out the U shaped connectors seems to be a common problem with Dell motherboards.

SC Tom. The retainer clip on my Dell is even worse than the one pictured in the link. It actually comes straight down to the U shaped connector and has a hook in the end of it. You have to push the retainer clip straight down (and it is VERY strong) then hook it to the U shaped connector, which means that it pulls STRAIGHT UP on the connector. The prongs on the connector that fit in the holes in the motherboard are very tiny. Can't see how it held as long as it did.

It will make a connection if I just slip it back in the holes. It even held for a few minutes when I hooked the retainer to it; long enough for me to hook up the computer to see if it would boot, and it did boot. Then it came flying out, just as I knew it would.

I may try to touch it with a soldering iron to see if I can melt the solder enough to keep it in the holes, then run a jumper wire.

You could try this product
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...ive.htm#aserev
to glue the heatsink in place, and solder a jumper wire between the pads
where the 2 U-shaped connectors are. This will complete the circuit for the
heatsink sensor, and the adhesive will hold the heatsink in place.

You could try putting the connector back in the holes and putting a
preheated low-wattage soldering iron on it for a few seconds. That may seal
it in place enough to make the connection, but I wouldn't count on it to
hold under the pull of the spring. From the looks of the pads in the picture
you linked to, I'm not surprised it pulled out if it's simply soldered in.
Plain solder is not all that strong.

RTV (Bathtub caulk).
Run a wide strip across both sides of the
white plastic (from your picture) to the motherboard.

Also if you use Tom's suggestion:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...ive.htm#aserev

The heatsink will be firmly attached and you can bend the retaining spring
back a little so there is lest spring force yet retains a good electrical
connection/contact. (after you apply the RTV I mentioned, must be applied so
it hold the white plastic to the motherboard but no to any part that makes
electrical contact)

Possibly super glue?