Removing hard thermal paste

[daquanwizard]

I started to noticed that my computer was getting pretty loud even tho it was at idle. So I went to check my temps and it was in the low 80s and any time I did anything it would be low 90s and 100 under more intense loads. Since I hadn't put new thermal paste in 4-5 years I figured that was it. When I went to remove the aio the block was really tight onto the cpu. I had to do some light twists I was able to peel it off but there lies the hard thermal paste underneath. I tried to get it off with some alcoholic wipes that came with my thermal paste with no avail. I've tried to do it right away so the cpu would have been as hot as possible but that still has worked. I won't get the 90% rubbing alcohol until Friday and even then I'm not sure how much that well help. Am I sol or is there something I can do until Friday? As someone who has cut the cord I basically only have my phone left and it's pretty maddening I can't do anything for 3 days. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Fasauceome]

Scraping the IHS with a plastic implement would work, got a plastic fork?

 

Plastic is a lot softer than the nickel plating on the CPU so it won't cause damage.

[Red_Fox_1293]

something like an old thermal paste spreader would also work

[Quickstrike]

It looks baked like carbon in a pot.

You could always got get some 70% alchool at a drug store or a Walmart, put a thin layer in a plate, put it face down in the plate (make sure the alcool doesn't get under le heat spreader) and let it soak for a minute then wipe gently and repeat.

[Moonzy]

u can also use a plastic card to scrape the top

 

but make sure you dont knock off anything on the bottom of the CPU while doing it.

or scratch the gold pads

[daquanwizard]

After 4 hours of scraping with a gift card while alternating between heat and 99% alcohol this is where I'm at. Feels like it's gonna take another 5 hours