Computer Spill

[dillonb]

I own a Powerbook G4, and have had it for a few years and it was running great, until i spilled a glass of water on it. When I spilled the water I immdediately unplugged it and removed the power chord. After I did this, I wiped down the exterior parts of the laptop that were wet. The computer began to smell as those cables and parts were frying, and smoke began to come out of the fan vents. That worried me so I just left the computer alone. I set it upright so that if any water was still inside it would drain out. I waited a day or two before I tried to use it again. When I finally did try, the computer made the noise as though it was going to boot up fine, but it didn't. It made the noise as though it was running, but the screen would not turn on. When I shut the computer to see if the light indicating that it was in sleep mode, it didn't come on. Most keys would light up as they should when pressed such as the caps lock keys and such. When I tried to hook my poewrbook up to a seperate display it wouldn't work, so I'm guessing the vga input is fried. So what all would you say is wrong here? Is the hard drive fried or what?? ANY HELP is appreciated

[snowmonkey]

Hey dillonb,

I can't believe to start the computer soon after you spill water on it....it take few day for the water to dry out, my best guess is that you fried something on the mother board as this what usually happens.

Your hard drive is probably still alive, meaning if you remove it, perhaps you could take the data off of it by connecting to another computer.......I would suggest to not spend any money for repair because they are never the same after a water spill.

Cheers

[harry12]

I agree...but you said you removed the power cord (pres without shutting down) - so why was smoke coming out? - is this PC running batteries? ...and the cord is just maintaining the charge?

It is an odd situation but really to be sure the PC is dried out you need to leave it somewhere warm and dry (like the domestic hot-cupboard, do you have them in the US?)...a few days should see that dry, but you may have transferred something into connectors etc which will take even longer to dry - it is a nightmare in the making even without power applied.

[[Makes one wonder why "portable" notebooks aren't splashproof - you could be caught in a shower...isn't the whole point of a notebook to take it about?
Not fit for purpose I'd suggest....but then maybe you spilled a whole glass (of water?) on it....or was it something sticky like Coke, Orange etc?]]

I suspect a trip to the repair shop is in order. If you are competant, you might like to remove the HDD and try that on another PC (as a slave, to recover data etc.)

No G'tees but in my experience you can remove residue with a methalated spirits/water combination (in the US I think you call this Wood Alcohol.) the meths will dissolve amost anything sticky and then it will dry with a light breeze. Don't drink it!
Vodka may produce similar results....so that "should" clean the exposed HDD electronics, connectors etc - enough to recover the data.
If there is nothing "sensitive" on the HDD then don't touch the PC and take it in for a clean-up.

Snowmonkey may be right about the Repair shop, but it depends on your value of the data.