I'm flattered, but I think the Missus might have 'issues'..;) There's so much I forgot to throw in. With the advent of the 386/486, they went from rectangular processors (only 1 wrong way to put them in), to square (3 wrong ways to put them in). Used to be, there would be a tiny, triangular part cut off the 'pin 1 corner', with a red dot on top. I think since the Pentiums, there's an extra pin on the bottom to prevent you from putting it in wrong (the only time I actually saw smoke coming out of a computer was when one of our more 'directions-challenged' techs put a 386 in sideways..;)
It's Processor on the bottom, glue/whatever on top of the processor, and then heat sink on top..;)
What's with the transparent sandwich bags? I think someone's finally come up with a sillier idea than the Static Strap (recommended, but seldom used). never actually used Acetone in a PC shop before, or Toulene (thought about using the Tri-Nitro version on a coupla machines, tho..;). Usually the thermal 'glue'is a sort of cakey stuff, falls apart a lot. As long as you have a good physical contact between the processor and heat sink/fan, you're doing fine. Some of the cases actually come apart on both sides, so you can swing the motherboard side out of the unit, and work at your leisure..depends on what you got, I guess..;)
Well, I don't know if you'll be able to read this, unless you haven't started yet. I'd check with the woman who does it for a living, I only rebuild every 2 years or so, and this business changes every 3 months..I mean that it changes almost completely..;) good luck.

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)