Windows 10: I think I messed up

all my applications are gone and I cant access my taskbar on windows 10. Could it be maware?

:)

 

Help! I think i screwed up!!

Isopropyl alcohol is used to clean this stuff off a CPU heatspreader. Now, as you can't wipe it off the pins, I suggest pouring a little alcohol onto it. Then either try the compressed air and/or try the coffee filter paper that MRCL suggested.

There will likely be a small residue, but I don't think a very small amount will affect the CPU.

 

Did I Mess Up??

I bought an ABIT AX8 MoBo (eBay.. listed as "refurbished" but it was new in an open box) suitable for an Athlon 64 or 64FX, and upon quering a Computer Guru about using an Athlon 64 X2, he noted that "these things are backwards compatable" and the X2 will work... after a week long ordeal trying to load Win XP Pro (something wouldn't allow the download, then the mess just refused to recognize the CD all totether-- lotsa POST Codes, most of which were NOT in the User's Manual! Loaded the CD into the same HDD using my old KK266 & Athlon 1.2GHz just fine!), I realized that the AX8 board and X2 Processor don't "work & play well together"! *Cry :cry:
As all this was going on, I accessed the ABIT website and could find no info on the AX8, then ABIT changed servers or something, was down for a couple of days (the forums are still "down", aka "to busy", more often than not).. and when I could access the site, I learned that the AX8 is now a discontinued board. *Wtf :wtf:
Question is, and I know you can't see this stuff, but what are the chances of either the board or the processor (or both) being "smoked"?? *Frown
Do I dare get a "64" or "64FX" and "try" it in the board? or get another board to "test" the X2 Processor?? Whatever I try, I can't afford to screw up the new stuff..
Any suggestions that don't involve Vaseline and sticking these parts where the sun don't shine *Eek! would be gratefully appreciated. *Respect :respect:

 

Did I Mess Up??

WOW!! What a great bunch of replies.. I really wasn't expecting that much response.. Thanks, guys.
Although I live in the country outside a small town, there is a small "one-man show" computer shop, the guy does mostly service calls and builds computers.. some repair work.. I'll query him to see if he is set-up to test my board and processor.. He is hard to catch, tho *Oh Well hwell:
To garb3.. my board is a plain AX8 Ver 1.. no "V", "Third Eye" or "Version 2".. the only mention of "dual channel" is on the RAM Info Page in the User's Manual.. and then only that DC RAM Sticks could be used.. Nothing about actually "creating" a "Dual Core" system..
To Tatty_One.. I appreciate the link, but if you call up "Socket 939" boards, the only processors listed for the AX8 series of boards (assuming Version 1) are Athlon 64's and three Semprons, all from the 3000+ to the 4000+ class.. all use Bios Ver 14. Calling up the AMD Athlon64 X2 (Toledo Rev E6, etc.) doesn't even list the AX8, only the AX8 V2.0 that runs Bios Ver 11..
The "coding" on the Athlon 64's is E6, CG, E3, E4, etc. are under the heading "FSB" (Front Side Buss) while these same "numbers" on the Athlon64 X2 (Toledo) page, are listed as "Stepping" and the "class" numbers (3800+, etc.) are called "Processor Numbers" which don't even not correspond with those on the Athlob 64 page.. "FSB" on the X2 page is 200MHz across the board.. not the same as the other page.. This type of inconsistance (in my mind) is way too confusing for me to follow..
I thing my best option is to try to have the pieces in question tested, if they pass, I'll simply buy a "non-Dual Core" processor for the AX8 and buy a "known to be" Dual Core Board for the AMD X2 Processor.. This way I'll build my computer and build my son a better "gamer" than the one he has (his Aunts old H-P Win 98 with a "Celery Processor" *Big Grin )
Even an Athlon 64 3500+ ought to run faster than what he's got..
Thanks, again, for the replies and the helpful words..
Charles.