How can I save my laptop?

November 17, 2006 6:35 AM

I spilt Top Ramen on my laptop - is it gone for good?

I freaked out at first, but it seemed to be working fine. A couple hours later it randomly went into sleep mode. I powered it back up and realized that it wasn't recognizing the AC power cord - it was only running off the battery. I triple checked to be sure the cord was really plugged in, but it just wouldn't recognize it and eventually shut down because the battery ran out. I can't get it to start up again. Is there anything I can do?

posted by brittanyq to technology (6 comments total)

Turn it off, and put it in a dry warm place. If you can, take the case off so any moisture inside can evaporate. Once it's fully dry, try to turn it back on again. If you can get the lid off/access to the internals, you might try gently blowing a hairdryer over the damp bits. Best not to get it too hot though - so don't put it on a radiator or anything.

I've found electrical equipment is fairly robust to food and drink spills, but you need to ensure it dries out fully before trying again.
posted by handee at 6:38 AM on November 17, 2006

If you already turned the machine on, you may be looking at a new motherboard/logic board, unless you can find someone who can repair what was damaged. It sounds like multiple components may have been damaged as a result of the spill.

I would take handee's advice, but leave the laptop upside down (keyboard on the table, fully open). Leave it there for 6 hrs unplugged with the battery removed
posted by SirStan at 6:56 AM on November 17, 2006

If it sat there for more than five seconds, yes, you should probably just cook up another batch.

Seriously. Be patient. Do as the above stated but do not give up after only 6 hrs. I have had this problem and waited a half day and things were fine.
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 7:12 AM on November 17, 2006

What Sir Stan said. Let it dry. You can try to wash it, after you take the battery out, with 99% rubbing alcohol by turning the computer upside down and spraying the alcohol in so it drains back out the keyboard. This worked for a friend of mine. You want higher % alcohol so it evaporates faster and more completely.

Do not use acetone.
posted by Pastabagel at 7:13 AM on November 17, 2006

Endorsing the comments above, adding this: A few years ago I spilt red wine on my laptop. I used another computer to go to the manufacturer's web site, where I found instructions on how to take the keyboard off and disassemble enough of it so that I could open it all up and let it dry out. Once it was completely dry, I reassembled it per the instructions and it worked fine.
posted by Robert Angelo at 8:33 AM on November 17, 2006

Thank you all so much! Just waiting and letting it dry out some more did the trick - my laptop is working perfectly again! It does, however, smell like nasty beef Top Ramen. I might have to try washing it as soon as I can get my hands on some rubbing alcohol.
posted by brittanyq at 11:21 AM on November 17, 2006