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Please quick help with computer
May 2, 2008 | Hildy

Posted on 05/02/2008 8:24:30 AM PDT by Hildy

I spilled my cereal and milk on my laptop computer keyboard this morning...I cleaned it right away, but now my computer won't even boot up..Nothing.

Anything I can do immediately? Will I be able to save the hard drive at least?

Thanks.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: help
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To: jasoncann

That’s good stuff.

At Christmastime, my dear sainted mother-in-law showered my laptop with Mountain Dew.

A $25 keyboard later, I was back in business.


21 posted on 05/02/2008 8:46:27 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: CarrotAndStick

Some blow-driers have a no-heat setting.


22 posted on 05/02/2008 8:48:26 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: pabianice

Thanks for the first laugh I’ve had this morning! I just watched a spot on Fox News showing how people in Haiti are eating dirt pies. Dirt, water, butter and salt and cooked up because they can’t afford food. How on earth can I be upset about a broken computer I can afford to replace.


23 posted on 05/02/2008 8:49:16 AM PDT by Hildy (It is our choices, far more than our abilities, that determine who we truly are. - J.K. Rowling)
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To: L98Fiero

I’ve saved laptops from cherry juice, coke, milk, and even orange juice doing that.


24 posted on 05/02/2008 8:50:13 AM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: Anitius Severinus Boethius
While I don't recommend soaking a laptop in water, if you are going to soak any electrical component in water to clean out a sticky liquid, I suggest using distilled water.
25 posted on 05/02/2008 8:53:15 AM PDT by Question_Assumptions
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To: Petronski

The problem with hair dryers is the forced air, not the heat. You don’t want any liquid getting into places that is harder to get out.


26 posted on 05/02/2008 8:53:33 AM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: Petronski

Even then, the air is quite warm. The no-heat setting on most dryers usually just lower the heat coming off the coils, and don’t completely cut them off.

Warm enough to damage the screen, atleast.

LCD is sensitive to moderate/high temperatures.


27 posted on 05/02/2008 8:55:15 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
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To: Question_Assumptions; Hildy

Absolutely. If it is available, distilled water would be the way to go.


28 posted on 05/02/2008 8:55:33 AM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: jasoncann

That was good, but unfortunately not complete.

Unlike water, which is merely....wet, milk is also acidic. If left on circuit boards, it will etch them and ruin them.

The only thing you can do (and I know it sounds cray) is to rinse it out with water. Remove anything like batteries and certainly the HHD, and then gently rinse the affected areas as best you can, then complete the rest of the drying process outlined in your post.

Unless this is done, the laptop may function, but (depending on what got milk-soaked) it will only last for a short time and then it will never boot again.

And yes, spoken like someone who has performed this emergency repair!


29 posted on 05/02/2008 8:55:40 AM PDT by rockrr (Global warming is to science what Islam is to religion)
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To: Anitius Severinus Boethius

Think vacuum cleaner first.


30 posted on 05/02/2008 8:56:52 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . The Bitcons will elect a Democrat by default)
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To: Hildy

What kind of cereal was it?


31 posted on 05/02/2008 8:57:53 AM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (Friends with umbrellas are outstanding in the rain.)
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To: wolfcreek
They have keyboard condoms just for this occasion.

Based on the large number of laptops that are in use today, very few people are using those. The things just keep reproducing.

Maybe it's because it doesn't make for a catchy slogan. I mean, "Practice safe laptop sex." That could mean anything.

32 posted on 05/02/2008 9:00:06 AM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: evets

Gotta love the IBM ThinkPad in that picture. It probably would survive.


33 posted on 05/02/2008 9:01:54 AM PDT by rabscuttle385 (Republican...because not everyone can be on welfare.)
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To: CarrotAndStick

Thanks. I’m learning.

With tech, we’re all always learning I suppose.


34 posted on 05/02/2008 9:06:10 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Anitius Severinus Boethius

Good point. Thanks to you too.


35 posted on 05/02/2008 9:07:23 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Hegemony Cricket

Honey bunches of oats with cinnamon clusters!!! I’m addicted to it.


36 posted on 05/02/2008 9:09:25 AM PDT by Hildy (It is our choices, far more than our abilities, that determine who we truly are. - J.K. Rowling)
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To: Hildy
So long as nothing got into the hard drive, take it out, hook it up to the proper adapter, and access it using a desktop.

I can't say whether the rest of the laptop can be repaired or salvaged. You may be better off buying a new one.

37 posted on 05/02/2008 9:13:37 AM PDT by rabscuttle385 (Republican...because not everyone can be on welfare.)
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To: Hildy
Hooboy. I feel your pain. Great advice in 7 and 29. Unfortunately, milk has "stuff" in it (casein, notably) that forms deposits. The good news is that heat doesn't coagulate it. The bad news is that it forms a sort of clear, hard scum (ask me how I know!).

Not to be too repetitious, but remove all electricity (battery and charger) until it dries and get the HD out (and the memory too if you can reach it). It's probably too late as I write this, but canned air will at least clear where you can reach with it.

Life happens. I have a friend with a newborn. Newborn met open laptop. I shall say no more. ;-)

38 posted on 05/02/2008 9:23:17 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: CarrotAndStick

That’s true. The vacuum blower may be more appropriate.

~</;o)


39 posted on 05/02/2008 9:37:44 AM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: Hildy
If you have to replace the computer I would suggest a MacBook but then it may have been a Mac that was the product of a cereal assassin .....I have been a PC user for years and this is my early moms day present....I love it !!!!!

Just the same I hope you can salvage your computer... good luck !!!

40 posted on 05/02/2008 9:39:01 AM PDT by Kimmers
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