Coffee > Laptop > Spacebar > Pop!

Self | March 1, 2011 | self

[library user]

Dear FReepers,

Firstly, I offer my sincere apologies in advance due to 1) a vanity and 2) a non-political vanity, at that.

A good friend of mine just texted me because earlier this morning 1) she spilled coffee into the spacebar on her laptop keyboard and 2) immediately thereafter the laptop made a loud "pop" sound and promptly shut off.

Unfortunately, rather than turn the laptop upside down to dry out, i.e., to prevent further liquid penetration into the circuit boards, she instead took the whole thing apart and is currently in the process of letting it dry out (piece by piece).

The $64,000 question which entered into my mind upon reading her text is that "A loud pop coming from a laptop doesn't sound too promising."

Any idea what component might have "popped"?

And is the laptop most likely no better than a doorstop at this point?

IMO, if the above is true she could use a new laptop anyway. Only 512MB of memory and 75GB HD (purchased in 2004, I believe).

Any tips, suggestions, jokes, ribbings ... most welcome. :O)

Thank you!

[SGCOS]

the most likely candidate for the 'pop' is the 'any' key. They are always the first to go.

Also prone to problems is the repleat widget, also known as a 'weasel'.

hope this helps.

[Ingtar]

If she did have a replacement warranty, opening it up like that has voided it.

[ReverendJames]

Depending on what brand it seems like the power supply went south. The liquid shorted out something on it. Some laptops the power supply is towards the back and is a plug-in unit. But to replace it would most likely cost more than replacing the laptop. I bought a Toshiba Satellite with a 17.5 inch screen at Walmart for $450 plus tax.

[library user]

I believe the warranty expired in 2007.

[dfwgator]

"A loud pop coming from a laptop doesn't sound too promising."

"That's a feature!"

[dfwgator]

Check the mouse balls:

Abstract: Mouse Balls Available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit)

Mouse balls are now available as FRU. Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel.

Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop-off method. Domestic balls are replaced using the twist-off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.

It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction, and that any customer missing his balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items.

To re-order, specify one of the following:

P/N 33F8462 - Domestic Mouse Balls
P/N 33F8461 - Foreign Mouse Balls

[Vendome]

Your friend did what most geeks do when that happens. They let it dry out.

I did the same thing last year.

No problemo.

[Dr. Sivana]

Chances are you have a short in the motherboard, which is almost all of the laptop’s circuitry (some have a separate power inverter board, but that is not usually right under that part of the keyboard.

WHat is the make and model of the unit? Was it plugged in or on battery? You might be able to find a replacement cheap on ebay that is broken in a different way. You can still recover data from the hard drive.

[libertarian27]

Whoever posted that post to her that made her laugh should pay for the keyboard replacement.

How many times do people say:
“you owe me a new keyboard”

[bajabaja]

I’ll bet the coffee was electroconductive enough to get between the empty space between two charged points, which can be ANYWHERE.

If they have taken the computer apart I hope they took notes, as remembering how to reassemble is another story.

They should look for a hardward maintenance manual online which will give them some guide in reassembly. (HMMs are online for my old IBM laptops.)

I think they are about to, unfortunately, learn an expensive lesson, but if your friend is Catherine Zeta Jones I am willing to attempt the reassembly.

An alternative solution is to get a “disposable laptop.” Old (used) machines, on which you can load a Linux operating system, can be “abused” with coffee, etc., and are dirt cheap. Breaks? Get another one for less than $100.

[Ingtar]

I did have a laptop the a coworker spilled most of Diet Dr. Pepper into make a popping sound. Another coworker was able to take it apart, clean it, put it back together, and convince Dell the motherboard went on its own. With the coverage we had, it would have been covered anyway.

[Nervous Tick]

>> And is the laptop most likely no better than a doorstop at this point?

A laptop doesn’t make all that good of a doorstop.

However, if your friend blows out *another* similar laptop, you have yourself a dandy pair of wheel chocks for immobilizing your vehicle while jacking.

[library user]

Thanks for the reply. Do you recommend waiting 24-48 hours before starting it up again? That’s what most websites seem to recommend.

[IamConservative]

Laptops run on smoke. Every time you let it out, they quit working.

[massgopguy]

I spilled a Diet Coke into a MOD 43 Dot Matrix printer in 1984. It screamed like Jamie Lee Curtis.

[library user]

Don’t know the model. It’s a Dell laptop circa 2004. But it was plugged in when it happened.

[Nervous Tick]

>> How many times do people say: “you owe me a new keyboard”

See, that’s how you tell the introverts from the extroverts on FR.

The introverts, who look down at their shoes when they freep, say “you owe me a new keyboard”.

The extrovert Freepers (the ones that look you in the eye when they freep) say “you owe me a new *MONITOR*.

[dfwgator]

I did have a laptop the a coworker spilled most of Diet Dr. Pepper into make a popping sound.

Matt: I'll tell you what's happening. The Pepsi Syndrome.
[ shows title: "The Pepsi Syndrome" ]

Brian: Pepsi Syndrome? I've never heard of it.

Matt: Only a handful of people know what the Pepsi Syndrome means. Maybe soon, everyone will know it.
Carl: But, what is it?
Matt: Well, the Pepsi Syndrome. If someone spills a Pepsi on the control panel of a nuclear power reactor, the panel can short-circuit, and the whole core may melt down.
Brian: But, you spilled a Coke.
Matt: It doesn't matter. Any cola does it.
Carl: Any cola? What about RC Cola?
Matt: Yeah, RC does it.
Brian: Canada Dry?
Matt: Sure.
Carl: 7-up?
Matt: It's harmless. It's an un-cola. [ smacks his hands to his forehead ] Oh, wow! I could have had a V8!

[Dr. Sivana]

Seven years isn’t bad. It’s not worth repairing. My condolences on the loss.

Comparable laptops (working) are going for just a little more than $125.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Latitude-D810-Pentium-M-2-26GHz-512MB-40GB-Laptop-/170607145565?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item27b8fa725d