Debug Laptop...literally (with pictures!)

[HawkinsPC]

Customer brings in Inspiron 1764 laptop. She said it's just cutting off. Then she wanted to know if I could clean the outside of it. This thing was NASTY. Like, teenage boy nasty. Food stains and only God knows what. She rushed out of the shop faster than anybody's business. I started wiping it down and noticed the area around the battery looked a little cruddy. Pulled the battery and found lots of little body parts. I started disassembling the thing. So freaking nasty. It was my first laptop bug experience.

Is it fair to say that the combo of bug bodies and their waste has shorted out something on the mobo? I really just want to slap this thing back together and get it the heck out of here.

 

[NYJimbo]

We get them and as soon as I see more than a few dead roaches I put it back together and tell them I cannot work on it because its a health hazard and they have to come pick it up. I then BAG it and seal it until they come in.

I would suggest you do the same, you are really wasting your time as it will probably need more than just a mobo and who wants to work on that disgusting mess. I'm actually amazed you kept going once you saw the battery bay.

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

I agree with Jimbo, these are not worth working on and dealing with. It just takes one preggo roach to get into your shop/home and you could be dealing with an infestation in a few weeks. It probably will cost more than what you might have initially made.

 

[HawkinsPC]

I got it re-assembled. The bugs are out, but I really put forth very little effort in actually "cleaning" it. At this point, it's slap it together, bag it, and get it out. I pulled the HDD. Hopefully she'll at least want her data off of it and I can make a buck that way.

 

[Altster]

We get them and as soon as I see more than a few dead roaches I put it back together and tell them I cannot work on it because its a health hazard and they have to come pick it up. I then BAG it and seal it until they come in.

I would suggest you do the same, you are really wasting your time as it will probably need more than just a mobo and who wants to work on that disgusting mess. I'm actually amazed you kept going once you saw the battery bay.

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO. Not only is it a health hazard, it's considered to be "Hazardous Waste!" Bag it, and call customer to come and get it.

I have refused to work on infested computers before! It won't hurt you to lose one like this from time-to-time.

Sorta makes you wonder what the house looks like?

 

[nlinecomputers]

We get them and as soon as I see more than a few dead roaches I put it back together and tell them I cannot work on it because its a health hazard and they have to come pick it up. I then BAG it and seal it until they come in.

I would suggest you do the same, you are really wasting your time as it will probably need more than just a mobo and who wants to work on that disgusting mess. I'm actually amazed you kept going once you saw the battery bay.

THIS. Clients that are walking bio hazard are not worth the effort. Place in plastic bag and put bio-hazard stickers on them.

 

[cypress]

Ouch that is disgusting. definitely not worth the time.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I had a lady call me up to her house to check on a dead pc. They never mentioned that the CAT had ****** all over the unit. They acted ignorant but you could SMELL it. I didn't ever bother to put the cover back on. It was obvious they knew, obvious they lied and I didn't appreciate the lack of a heads up on this. Told them no charge and don't call me again.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Bail out

I'd bail out quick! No pun intended, but LOL, they will bug you forever!

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I would do some SERIOUS cleaning up of your shop....clean up every area that laptop has been. Eggs......eggs.....eggs!

 

[JustInspired]

Ugh. I used to do power tool and appliance repair when I lived in the Caribbean and roaches were VERY often encountered.

Since moving to the UK that's not an issue any more.

We do sometimes get some foul smelling units with a mixture of stale tobacco and some nasty human stink. It's an odor that I have only encountered after moving to the UK though! I've been in a few callouts where the whole house smelt like that.

 

[BillMoney]

We get them and as soon as I see more than a few dead roaches I put it back together and tell them I cannot work on it because its a health hazard and they have to come pick it up. I then BAG it and seal it until they come in.

I would suggest you do the same, you are really wasting your time as it will probably need more than just a mobo and who wants to work on that disgusting mess. I'm actually amazed you kept going once you saw the battery bay.

I wouldn't even put it back together throw in a bag and duct tape close then throw in another bag and duct tape close. Maybe print out a biohazard sticker.

 

[PC Ops]

Put on a hazmat suit and torch it!

 

[PC-MOT]

Yup, bag it and seal it then call them to come collect it.

Anyone who disrespects their laptop, and your own personal space, by bringing that to you and not even mentioning it to you during check in has no self respect
In my opinion they are not the customer you want in your shop, and will also probably be a PITA to get payment from and/or try to nickel and dime you all the way.....

 

[coffee]

I have ran into this type of issue before and have even walked into homes that were extremely filthy just like that laptop. I remember I would come home and strip in the garage, Bag my clothes, Spray bug killer in the bag and knot the bag and leave it outside the garage for a day. Then it goes to the washing machine with alot of bleach!

I really do not like to turn away business however. I guess Im greedy? Anyways, How about charging them a hazard fee to remove the infestation on top of the normal fees for repair? If handled right, It shouldnt be too much of a problem if the laptop/computer still functions.

Here are my ideas off the top of my head for handling this type of problem.

1. Spray bug killer directly into a shop vac that uses a bag for containment. Then vacuum out the suspect computer. The bug killer should kill them once they reach the bag. Then when done dispose of the bag.

2. Take a big cardboard box and use it as a cleaning station kinda like they do for a clean air station. After so many uses, Take it out to the burn pile and burn it.

3. If you work out of your home then extra percautions should be used. How about immediately bagging the laptop/computer before it even enters your vehical (for pickup and drop off providers) the bag should contain some type of pesticide to help kill them out.

Now, On some suspect computer equipment I used to bag it and leave it outside in the wintertime before working on it. Then it pretty much imobilizes any creatures on the inside. Then use the cardboard box deal.

Personally, I think people like that are disgusting! How can you even live like that??? I have walked into some homes and watched the roaches crawl up the walls! I have no shame and always ask - "What the hell is that??". - Some people!

coffee

 

[NYJimbo]

1. Spray bug killer directly into a shop vac that uses a bag for containment. Then vacuum out the suspect computer. The bug killer should kill them once they reach the bag. Then when done dispose of the bag.

Don't do this. First off most roach sprays do not kill on contact, the idea is for the roaches to pick up the poison and bring it back with them to their hiding areas. Some do have a nerve agent like pyrethrin, but requires direct contact with the insect. If you spray it in the bag you will end up getting the smell of it all over the inside of the vacuum and every time you use it you will get that smell even after removing the bag. Remember, the bag "breaths" as the vacuum works so air is drawn through it.

 

[HawkinsPC]

The bugs were dead, thankfully. I scraped the dead bodies into the trash, cleaned with lots of bleach, and sprayed the shop over the weekend. The laptop is bagged up and ready to go. I feel bad for whatever shop she takes it to next. The thing stinks.

In the future, I think I'll just decline any work as soon as I suspect something like this. It's gross and just not worth it. A spider or bug in a tower I can handle... not an infestation in a laptop!

Oh, now my fingers are peeling from excessive use of hand sanitizer. I'd sanitize, wash with antibacterial soap, and then squirt more on.