GregS wrote:
I have seen the white stuff dry out plenty of times. Its sure easy to
spot and feel. If you can't smear it then it must be removed.

I noticed the CPU temperature on my main computer going a bit high a few
months ago. I checked, and sure enough the heat sink grease had dried
out. Replaced it and all was well.

If its still good, I would just even out the stuff and reapply components.

Disagree. Where it's needed, it's critical; it's cheap enough that
replacing it in critical places is well worth while.

--
If John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination,
my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin.