Posted by BrendaTx on 12/5/11 6:00am
Msg #405773
Coffee on the Laptop - Recovery Plan
Saturday, I knocked darn near a full cup of coffee onto my laptop.
I immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery out, turned it on its side and drained the coffee out of the computer on the side the most of it went into (in that order). Of course, I made sure that the liquid was never likely to run toward the screen.
Next, I unscrewed the panel off of the back of it.
I set the laptop on its side to drain out of the side that the most of it went into and put two respectable fans on it, one on the back, one on the keyboard.
Then, I shut the door, pulled out my newer back up computer and restored my files to it from Carbonite.
The coffee computer is back in business this morning. I missed around an hour of up time.
Tips:
Immediately remove power from the computer after a spill. Don't take time to shut down or close programs; just get the power off of it. You may lose a couple of files like that, but not the entire system.
Do not turn the computer back on until it has had plenty of time to dry, 24-48 hours.
Power + Liquid = Shorting out.
If you are not willing to lose the system, or you are not familiar with computers at all, get the computer into a drying position and call a repair person.
This is just the way that I handle spills on laptops (not my first rodeo). You should proceed with caution because your mileage may vary. 
| Reply by MistarellaFL on 12/5/11 6:16am
Msg #405775
That's great advice
And works for cell phones, too.
| Reply by Mike Goodey on 12/6/11 12:41pm
Msg #405891
Re: That's great advice
Unfortunately, my cell ( which was in my pants pocket)went in the washing machine (although it was the gentle cycle.) I put the battery in rice for 3 days but couldn't get it to show any life. Maybe I should have put it in the dryer too.
| Reply by TishNotary on 12/5/11 7:43am
Msg #405779
Invaluable advice. Thank you for sharing Brenda!
Glad your laptop is back up to snuff. May you receive many years of coffee free service from it. :o)
Much prosperity and happiness to you and yours this Holiday Season!
| Reply by BrendaTx on 12/5/11 9:35am
Msg #405791
Thanks, Tish. n/m
| Reply by BrendaTx on 12/5/11 9:35am
Msg #405792
And, back at you!!! n/m
| Reply by VT_Syrup on 12/5/11 1:01pm
Msg #405808
Re: Invaluable advice. Thank you for sharing Brenda!
I have seen the advice when electronics falls into salt water to wash it with fresh water before letting it dry. Distilled water would be even better. Then there is always the option of electrical contact cleaner, available at Radio Shack. Fortunately I've only spilled coffee on one item, a keyboard. I tried draining and drying. When that didn't work I tried water. I ended up replacing it.
I'm really glad I'm not experienced enough to say which method is best.
| Reply by BrendaTx on 12/5/11 3:44pm
Msg #405820
The best method is to not let it happen.
2nd best is to clean everything that the coffee (beer, wine, mop water, Campbell's Soup...) touched with alcohol.
The liquid and a particle or two of matter become conductors of electricity and can connect dots inside your computer that should not be connected...that's when the short happens.
That's why getting the electricity source pulled off of it is the most important part until it is completely dry.
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