It's likely to be doing it's work just fine. The methods you noted are the usual and any more you run other risks. Well if you feel it's worth the risk, the techs do note hammer and chisel. The chisel is usually a knife blade. Remember what Tim the Enchanter said: "I warned you."
My cpu is stuck to my heatsink because of the thermal paste. Any one know how to unstick them? I have already tried using a hairdryer and floss, but the pieces are too close to eachother.

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