Newbee AMD 64 Build - Heatsink Install ??

[Thksnow]

I'm a first time builder, and have a 939 Athlon 64 3000+ (retail, with heatsink and fan), that I'm attempting to install on an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum mobo. This is great site and I'm hoping that someone can possibly clear up my confusion and answer my question regarding installing the heatsink/fan combo.

In all the instructions I can find (those that came with the processor (all diagrams unfortunately), those that came with the mobo, and those on the AMD web site), they show the heatsink/fan as having a "safety hook" attached to the black lever that you push down, which apparently hooks over an locks the lever in place. Unfortunately my lever has no hook at all, and it appears that it was built that way (no sign of a broken off hook or anything like that in the box). It was a new (sealed) retail box processor, that I bought from a very reputable on-line retailer, so I think maybe this is the way AMD is designing them now, and the instructions possibly have not caught up with the latest design. Since I've never done this before, I have not yet tried to push the lever all the way over to see if somehow it locks in place without the safety hook, since it appears to take a good bit of force.

Has anyone installed a retail 939 processor recently that could comment, or has anyone else seen the retail heatsink/fan without the "safety hook"? I don't want to proceed any further until I'm sure it should be this way.

Thanks....Thksnow

[spyder003]

I just installed a 3500+ the other day, and it had the hook.

[Thksnow]

Spyder003 - Thanks. I can't explain it. Hard to believe they have two different designs out there, but of course it's not impossible. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately at this point), based on someone else's advice, I went ahead and pushed the lever down, and it seemed to lock (it certainly isn't going anywhere, anyway) in place. Today I finished installing everything in the case. The numbers my son read off of the lever (my eyes aren't that good anymore) are 208000119. I tried to email AMD to ask them directly, but I couldn't get the email to send. I hope to try it from work tomorrow to see if I have any better luck.

Tks...Thksnow

[Thksnow]

Spyder003 - Just a quick update: I called AMD today and the tech support rep indicated that indeed they have changed the design to eliminate the hook, and the documentation just hasn't caught up. It surprises me that a company like AMD wouldn't at least put a note in the box to make customers aware of the change, like most companies would (like an errata sheet). Go figure.

Tks...Thksnow