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Thread: HELP! Cup of tea spilled over laptop keyboard

  1. #1
    str
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    Question HELP! Cup of tea spilled over laptop keyboard

    Anyone know if I can clean the tea of the motherboard and components with isopropyl alcohol?

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    Fried Chip Extremist alsenior's Avatar
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    leave it on the window sill to dry for a few days or if you have the ability you could out it on a very low heat ~50C that would dry it out a treat.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay View Post
    What kind of emergency would need Windows 95? I think you are already in a bad state of emergency when your backup plan is Windows 95.
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    dobeedobeedodo ahhhh
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    strip down and use meths to clean it wiht a toothbrush if it doesnt work. thats what we do at work for liquid ingress

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    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
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    if you spilt a lot and the keys are sticky, use wd40 to free em up again, after you dried it of course.
    it will smell for a few days, but be usable again.

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    dobeedobeedodo ahhhh
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    Quote Originally Posted by GoNz0 View Post
    if you spilt a lot and the keys are sticky, use wd40 to free em up again, after you dried it of course.
    it will smell for a few days, but be usable again.
    We had a customer in the other day that had done the same things. she said it went from two keys not working to most of them! and it was a bugger to work on. I would say thats def not a good idea imo.

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    str
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    The tea was spilt on it a few days ago so I figured it'd be dry by now so I opened it up to check what it was like inside and there is something like a bit of corrosion beside a few resistors and screws.

    So I just put it all back together and switched it on and it boots fine but I'm wondering if I should still clean the motherboard where the tea has been or should I just leave it be and it'll be fine?

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    Fried Chip Extremist alsenior's Avatar
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    if your confident about doing that then go for it but make sure it dries fully before you use it again
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay View Post
    What kind of emergency would need Windows 95? I think you are already in a bad state of emergency when your backup plan is Windows 95.
    Beginners guide to raid Beginners guide to raid post edition Hexus.Social - FAQ

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    I need a coffee jamena's Avatar
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    the corrosion might kill it but how fast who knows. If you think you can clean up the corroded area go for it. either some sort of alcohol or some distilled water, just make sure it's completely dried up again before switching on...

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    Yes Take apart and clean with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. It is less likely to damage the plastics in the laptop than meths.

    The WD40 idea is terrible advice.

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    Has all the piri-piri! GeorgeTuk's Avatar
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    Thirded, WD40 is awful advice.

    If the machine is working but the keyboard is knackered call the manufacturer for a replacement keyboard, they fairly easy to change if you can use a screwdriver on computers already (don't laugh...we had a graduate who had never seen the inside of a computer before).

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    str
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    Yep, decided to order a replacement keyboard and I've already taken it to bits so know my way around it. Still unsure if I should clean the corrosion as it's only a small amount of it and maybe it won't get worse seeing as the tea dried up a few days ago.

    The laptop works though which is good so with a replacement keyboard it'll be like new again (it's only 4 months old).

    Cheers for all replies.

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    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
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    The problem is if the residue attracts moisture, which will then continue to corrode the components. Cleaning it off with deionised water or IPA would be my preferred option. DON'T use WD40 - it will leave a sticky residue behind!
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    Quote Originally Posted by str View Post
    HELP! Cup of tea spilled over laptop keyboard
    ACK, OK, firstly, calm down, don't worry, we can get you through this, but follow these steps closely:

    1) Head back to kitchen with cup
    2) Put kettle back on
    3) Wash cup
    3) Make another cup of tea
    4) Drink tea

    There, not a problem, you should allready be feeling much better.

    Nox

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    Amateur photographer Hans Voralberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nox View Post
    ACK, OK, firstly, calm down, don't worry, we can get you through this, but follow these steps closely:

    1) Head back to kitchen with cup
    2) Put kettle back on
    3) Wash cup
    3) Make another cup of tea
    4) Drink tea

    There, not a problem, you should allready be feeling much better.

    Nox
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nox View Post
    ACK, OK, firstly, calm down, don't worry, we can get you through this, but follow these steps closely:

    1) Head back to kitchen with cup
    2) Put kettle back on
    3) Wash cup
    3) Make another cup of tea
    4) Drink tea

    There, not a problem, you should allready be feeling much better.

    Nox


    Very good - took me a few seconds longer than it should have to clock onto that one...lol!

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