Windows 7: cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

foe · 20 Aug 2012

I accidentally got some dust on one of my thermal pads.

I probably could get a replacement, but I do not know were to order one or what specs to look at. Preferably I'd keep this one, but clean the now somewhat dusty surface. How should I do this, because I suspect cleaning it with alcohol will dissolve the pad as well?

PS a better title would have been 'how to clean a laptop thermal pad?'
if a mod would like to change this?

foe · 21 Aug 2012

no idea's whatsoever?

So I'll just have to try something?

Lady Fitzgerald · 21 Aug 2012

If you are talking about the stuff that's like a double sided piece of tape, I doubt you will be able to clean it without ruining it. You'll probabably have to remove it, clean the surface, and replace it with a new one or use thermal paste.

ripbox · 21 Aug 2012

As above.... you will be better buying a tube of Artic Silver paste..... clean of the heat sink and chip (i use a bit of tissue) then squirt a pea size blob onto the chip and replace the heat-sink, do not use anything abrasive or any cleaning chemicals though

foe · 22 Aug 2012

I guess replacing the pad by paste is not such a good idea, since there will be much more space between the chip and sink. (a pad is thicker)

*edit*

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

If you are talking about the stuff that's like a double sided piece of tape,

I don't think so, I does not seam that sticky (I'd have to check) and is way thicker then a piece of tape. It's a white sort of chewing gum like strip...

*edit2*
If I really had to replace it, what specs should I look for to make sure it'll match my hardware. Where should I order it? (I live in Europe).

foe · 22 Aug 2012

*bump*

Plz people, tell me what to do :S

bobkn · 22 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by foe

*bump*

Plz people, tell me what to do :S

If you're worried, replace it. You're correct that thermal paste would be of no use; the gap (when assembled) is much too large.

What I can't tell you is where to get it, particularly in your home country. In the USA, it's not often found at retail. Electronics distributors (like www.digikey.com) may have hundreds of types available; you'd have to find one that matches the pads in your notebook. Such sellers may also have minimum order requirements.

The last time I needed a pad replacement, I found a good-enough match at a dealer in PC coolers. I needed the pad to restore the stock heat sink to a graphics card: the GPU used thermal paste, but the RAM chips used pads. Worked out fine.

foe · 22 Aug 2012

Well google does not help me the slightest bit.

I guess it is a better idea to talk to a local PC workshop?

If the thickness is the same I guess it is a fit, isn't is?

bobafetthotmail · 22 Aug 2012

I had some fun with a couple of those things when I disassembled a dead TV DVD player. (that filty piece of trash)

When they got dirty I did wash them with water and even used normal solid soap and they did not change shape nor dissolve, they got back to being sticky as when I took them away from the dead piece of trash.

Now, the only thing I didn't test (how could I?) is if they were still thermally conductive as before, so I cannot really say washing them won't damage them.

At least you know that other devices around you contain them as well, so you can... uhm... "borrow" them, or scavenge them if worse comes to worse.

DeaconFrost · 23 Aug 2012

How did it get dusty in the first place? That's what I'm stuck on.

Windows 7: cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

cleaning a laptop thermal pad? problems?