bent cpu pin

[Bossa]

I recently took delivery of some hardware to upgrade my pc including a pentium 4 2.8Ghz 800mhzFsb. when i tried to install the cpu into the mobo i found that it wasnt dropping comfortably into the zif socket as it should. After very careful inspection i found that one of pins is bent. I am contacting the resellers about a replacement but they sound reluctant as the plastic case has been opened and i have the feeling they will try and pin:rolleyes: the blame on me. If all comes to all am i likely to destroy the cpu if i try to bend the pin back? I have heard it is commonplace in the factory of a major pc supplier near where i live. also, is there any particular way i should do it in order to limit the damage?:mad:

Thanks in advance.

[Abbadon]

um, before you start bending pins: try to get your money back / a new processor from the shop. This would seem the safest bet.

If this should totaly fail, you can try the bending although I don't know if this might damage it. However, at that point you will have the choice between trying to bend it and give it a go or buying a new one immediatly, no harm in trying is there...



aftertought: maybe if you bend it back yourself and try to use it you can damage your mobo! (so there may be harm in trying :D) I don't know this for sure, wait for adive from someone who IS sure.

[pave_spectre]

If it was bent when you got it they are responsible for replacing it regardless of the packaging being open and any return policy they might have since they sold you a faulty product.

Having said that if you do end up resorting to trying to fix it yourself, you will really want to be careful not to destroy the chip with static either by wearing an anti-static wrist strap or ensuring you touch a grounded metal surface.
The actual bending should be fairly easy with some small needle nosed pliers or similar that are big enough to grip the pin withou being so large as to bend the surrounding pins.

Also depending on how delicate the pins actually are you may risk breaking it off if you apply too much force.

[Bossa]

Im sure if im careful i can avoid breaking the pin, thats not what had worried me, specifically i was more worried about cracking the die. does anyone know enough about the packaging construction to tell me whether it is up to that kind of stress.

Thanks again.

ps, i will be waiting until i know for sure about the possibility of a replacement.

[Abbadon]

should be, provided you're carefull. It was strong enough to take the stress of the pin getting bended so it should also be able to withstand the re-bending. You can always check for advice / special techniques / tools with that pc-supplier you live near.

[mjc]

There are special tools for straightening bent pins....basically they are just a little metal tube with a handle. You can use a metal pen refill, minus the ink of course.

I have used that method to straighten pins that where nearly flat against the chip....

[Budfred]

In my more carefree (read careless) days, I have actually bent pins back with the tip of my finger and they have worked ok. Now I would use mjc's method though....:)

I also agree to get it replaced rather than risk it. If you use it after bending it, you can bet there is no way they will honor any warranty if you have a problem.

[Inka]

I'm with Budfred there. I have had my moments with bent pins especially on hdd for some reason. Good idea using a pen refill, I always used to use whatever was small enough & closest to hand.:p Never had any problems either.

Oh & as they aint helping with the warranty now.. I wouldnt tell em you had to bend pins should any future issues arise. Does that make me wicked?