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View Full Version : Water + Macbook Pro = Fuck

Stmfuller
03-03-2009, 06:25 PM
At the end of the day, it all comes done to the fact that electronics and water do NOT mix.
I was chatting with my mother on monday while my wife was online with the laptop drinking a cool, crisp glass of water. Well, you guessed what happened next. She picks up the water to take a sip, and *SPLASH* water goes into my MacBook Pro. So, after cleaning it up and off, I flip it upside down and let it dry off for the better part of 48 hours.
So, I turn it on tonight to see what kind of damage is done. Luckily one key is busted. So, we may be in luck...

The only problem is that the letter in question while uncommon really sucks when I can't use it.

So...anyone replaced a keyboard on a laptop before? since it's not in warranty I'm thinking about making a go at it.
Banacek
03-03-2009, 09:30 PM
I've replaced the keyboards on the Macbook Pro multiple times. Pretty easy stuff. Look for a tutorial for replacing the HD, it will take you past the keyboard.

In the future, immediately turn off the laptop, open the case, and blow dry the crap out of it. You'd be surprised how much that works :)
cp#
03-03-2009, 09:55 PM
Never "blow dry" your electronics with a hair blow dryer. The heat could damage it. Air drying it like you did for a couple of days is the best thing.
Banacek
03-03-2009, 10:42 PM
Never "blow dry" your electronics with a hair blow dryer. The heat could damage it. Air drying it like you did for a couple of days is the best thing.

There are non-hot settings to blow dryers, but yes, be careful with the heat.
Slack3r78
03-04-2009, 08:41 AM
Never "blow dry" your electronics with a hair blow dryer. The heat could damage it. Air drying it like you did for a couple of days is the best thing.
Could if you're not careful.

That said, I once revived a WRT54G that had been rained on and filled with water while running by pulling the logic board and leaving it in the oven at around 120 for about 3-4 hours.

EDIT:

I would not do this with a fully assembled notebook.
Gormanimal
03-04-2009, 08:48 AM
Man, that sucks. I've had a water incident with my Macbook Pro as well and it wasn't fun. If you're looking for disassembly instructions I've found ifixit.com to be one of the better sources.
J3DI
03-04-2009, 09:28 AM
I was hoping to see some pictures :( Not of your Mac, just of water... its so soothing.

Sorry for you loss...
TheFlyingOrc
03-04-2009, 09:32 AM
I have to say, the thread title made me laugh.
Slack3r78
03-04-2009, 10:47 AM
I have to say, the thread title made me laugh.
When I tire of my MBP, I will keep in mind that it may act as an aphrodisiac if I pour water over it.
Stmfuller
03-04-2009, 05:54 PM
well, we added a USB keyboard to the mix for the time being. Not having the 'v' key makes it impossible for my wife to logon to her stuff. I'm probably just going to get me a can of air and a replacement keyboard and using some online instructions replace the keyboard.
On the plus side, I think I've got the possible go ahead for a cheapy laptop...you know, nothing like spending another $500.
DeathtollWRX
03-04-2009, 06:00 PM
I bought a replacement keyboard from Ebay and it was like 80 dollars. After a few hours (fracking TEENY TINY SCREWS) I was able to get it up and running,.
Stmfuller
03-04-2009, 06:02 PM
the next question I have is that if the just one key doesn't work...it probably means it's the keyboard right?
I just don't want to fork 80 bones out if it ain't going to work.
Also, I've found a couple of sources that'll do it for me.
sparkfizt
03-04-2009, 06:10 PM
I've heard of success using dessicant and a sealable container for dealing with electronic water damage.
DeathtollWRX
03-04-2009, 07:58 PM
If one key is bad it's the keyboard.
Superman's Dead
03-04-2009, 08:20 PM
I hate when water and electronics mix. =/

I have a series of about ten pictures detailing my best friend and I at the ocean, his iPhone dropping, us freaking out, and my trying to dry it off. It is hilarious...mostly because of the pained expression on his face.

Which letter is it? Can we play charades?
Purple Santa
03-05-2009, 04:44 AM
Which letter is it? Can we play charades?

It's the letter right next to "you". :p

I saw the title of this thread and it's immediately followed by "oh shit...that sucks". Hope you can fix that. You sound a lot calmer than I would be...
Stmfuller
03-17-2009, 07:34 PM
alright, after a couple of weeks of having the laptop hooked to a USB keyboard, I'm finally fed up with this setup and want to fix my laptop...anyone used one of these parts sites to buy laptop sites? any recommendations?
Banacek
03-17-2009, 08:03 PM
I would think any of the ones you find on eBay should do the trick, but I haven't replaced my keyboard so I don't know.
jeffbax
03-18-2009, 06:18 PM
Ugh, brings back memories of when I totally fucked my computer with a glass of water after an eye exam left me blind :(
Bingley Joe
03-26-2009, 01:16 PM
Apple notebooks seem to be pretty resilient when it comes to liquids. I once spilled an entire beer on my Powerbook, and it was completely fine.. in fact the worst thing that happened was that I wasted my last beer :(
Stmfuller
03-29-2009, 02:39 PM
well, I put money down on ebay for a new keyboard...and while doing a little research I think I'm going to put a bigger HDD in there too.
Wish me luck...first time messing with the inside of a laptop.

Pics and story forthcoming.
Banacek
03-29-2009, 03:37 PM
well, I put money down on ebay for a new keyboard...and while doing a little research I think I'm going to put a bigger HDD in there too.
Wish me luck...first time messing with the inside of a laptop.

Pics and story forthcoming.

Don't worry, it's not as bad as it seems. A good tip is to have a clean level workstation, and group your screws together in groups. Tag them with where they came from if you really want to save yourself some headache.
Slack3r78
03-29-2009, 06:12 PM
Don't worry, it's not as bad as it seems. A good tip is to have a clean level workstation, and group your screws together in groups. Tag them with where they came from if you really want to save yourself some headache.
Roll of masking tape + tape them down where they came from. I do a lot of notebook repairs at work, and this saves me untold amounts of time. I have a couple of other little tricks (like using a red or purple sharpie to mark where screws came from internally), but the point is to make there be as little question about where a given screw came from as possible.
Stmfuller
04-16-2009, 09:32 PM
Well, after about an hour of work, I have a new keyboard on the laptop.
and DAMN does it feel like a new computer :)
new hard drive install is probably going to happen this weekend, but only after I take a good look at what I want to reinstall and keep.
Stmfuller
04-18-2009, 01:10 PM
Hard drive was installed this morning.
All I gotta say is damn
What fun!
CappinCanuck
04-21-2009, 06:09 AM
Good to hear stmfuller.

On a slightly related, yet hilarious note, I have a lady friend that has gone through 3 laptops due to drink spillage in the last 2 years heh. Some people and electronics just don't mix. On the other hand, I am sure the people at Futureshop or Bestbuy are just filled with glee and joy when she walks in the door.