Water+Coffee+Laptop

Rex_Mundi

Had a call this morning from mum. Somehow she had knocked over a glass of water and a cup of coffee over my brothers laptop.

No matter what they did, the laptop wouldn't switch off. I told them to take out the battery. Hoover as much as they could from they outside and leave the lappy open to dry out for at least 24/48 hours. Apart from this, I can't think of anything more they can do apart from open up the case. This is not a good idea , as they are all technophobes and haven't got any idea about computers apart from switching them on and using MSN (aaaargh).

Anything I've missed?

T4i

Oh dear, get it in the sun if you can. If not get it somewhere warm inside....leave it plenty of time to dry out.

Al_Mac

If there was sugar in the coffee, it could cause big problems.:eek:

Allexie

Hairdryer?????

Tony_H_3

The safest option is to strip it & clean it thoroughly, the internal circuit boards will substain permament damage from coffee which isn't totally removed.

- - EDITED - -

The coffee (with sugar) would dry out leaving potential short's across the circuit boards.

Rex_Mundi

Cheers for the replies everyone. I've spoken again to clumsy (mum), and she reckons the water was the worst spill. So I'm hoping (for their sakes) that given enough time to dry out, the computer will return to normal.

I know it's a bit naughty, but I spoke with my brother about possibly making out it went faulty on its own if it wont work after drying. The lappy is only 4 months old. So there is a small chance he may get away with this. I also gave him a lecture on the benefits of backing up. He's most worried about losing the pics he has on the computer.

This bit applies to everyone. My suggestion to anyone is. Sit in front of your computer and imagine what files you would miss the most if it wont start. Then back them up!!! This is so easy to do nowadays!!! Put your really important stuff onto CD or DVD at the very least, this way it wont hurt so much if the computer decides to stop working one day.

andy88_2

Phones have indicators inside of water contamination. I wouldn't be very surprised if laptop computers also do.

CrazyChemist_2

If the policy covers for spills/accidental damage, you could make a legitimate claim...

rogerramjet

Best bet is to get it to someone who repairs mobile phones...try to find someone who has an untrasonic bath (jewellers would have them as well) Whoever it goes to would have to strip the system and then get the main boards into the untrasonic bath....this will clean the boards and remove all water, if the system isn't properly cleaned there will be a high likelyhood that corrosion will occur on the mainboard and will render it useless.

There is a very high probability this has already happened and if there is no insurance it would be worthwhile looking on ebay for someone selling the same model with a cracked/broken screen as the screen are usually the expensive items so the base/etc can usually be picked up cheep.

stinky101

Rex_Mundi wrote:

it's a bit naughty, but I spoke with my brother about possibly making out

:eek: :eek: :eek: :grouphug: :whistle: :dance:

:money: :money: :money: :money: :money: :money: :money: :money:



:beer:

nrsql

I have a dell inspiron 8200 laptop into which I poured half a cup of tea (no sugar). It was ok for a while then went pfsssst and stopped.
I upended it in the sink for a while and shook it to get most of the tea out then left it for a day in the airing cupboard. Was fine after that an still going strong 18 months later (not used much any more though).