I'm looking for directions on how to remove the stock HSF from a P4 socket 478. There are two levers which I unlkatched. The HSF doesn't lift off. What else do I need to do?

Not really my strong point this Stephen

Hope this link may help you, the bits that apply start about half way down at Figure 9.( keep reading!)

http://www.directron.com/p4install.html#p4install

Thanks!

That is a great link Hazelnut posted.

Sometimes the thermal interface material causes the processor body to stick pretty tightly to the cooling apparatus. Surface tension effect, I think. I got mine (an AMD, not a P4) loose by wiggling it gently (gently) side to side until it came unstuck. Make sure you have a supply of approved thermal interface material to replace the old stuff with. Don't want to leave any gaps when you put it back.

edit: if the problem is about the cpu unplugging from the motherboard, then I don't know. . .mine unplugged pretty easily.

Good luck.