motherboard bath (laptop)

[16k_zx81]

I have an Aspire One that has a cordial spill inside it. Its not really a q-tip and alcohol kind of job, so I wanted to ask if anyone has used 'bath' methods, and if so, what steps I should be taking. Obviously the board has been stripped down and the battery is out.

As the customer is financially strapped, I am also thinking of giving the keyboard a soak too, then testing; rather than just buying a replacement outright. Thoughts on this?

Any assistance from anyone with experience cleaning liquid-damaged laptops would be much appreciated. I know a guy that does them but as he sub-contracts for me he's not overly keen on giving away his 'secret method'

Jim

 

[loaner]

alchy bath is fine...just use a toothbrush....i've used this method on my "coca-cola" spilled video cards and both work fine. I used the toothbrush on them then gave them another rinse and left them out in the sun for a little while to make sure "everything" was evaporated. when I say "a little while"...i'm only talking about 5 minutes in direct sun. it doesn't take long for these things to heat up. Use your own best judgment as far as the component being dry. Just to be sure, i'd leave them lying around for another 24 hours.. when you take the component out of the bath, "sling" the extra alchy out of the component.

....goss

 

[16k_zx81]

Thanks Goss... will go grab a toothbrush from the chemist. I have some isopropyl alcohol here I can use.

Anyone have any thoughts on the keyboard?

 

[loaner]

I'd say to heck with the keyboard. Get one at walmart for 20.00 bucks. When you consider the "time vs. pay" factor, that's the way I would go. It's just a keyboard. If they don't have the funds, give them your keyboard and get you a new one.

...goss

 

[Corbin]

I'd say to heck with the keyboard. Get one at walmart for 20.00 bucks. When you consider the "time vs. pay" factor, that's the way I would go. It's just a keyboard. If they don't have the funds, give them your keyboard and get you a new one.

...goss

Its a laptop keyboard, most people don't want to lug a external around. I have done "baths" with parts and they seem to work good. i never thought of sun drying before. I just let it set over night, most people understand its their mess and it may take a while to get it cleaned and in working order.

As for giving stuff away for free I wouldn't, Id let them know that I do have a little soul left and I will give them payment options for replacement parts. Most people will take that option and most won't screw you over as long as you are strict, but understanding.

 

[Styxbound]

I pour alcohol over the boards after their bath_it's supposed to absorb the water_then blow them out with compressed air. If you're in a hurry you can use a heat gun or hair dryer then.

 

[Nomad Computer Repair]

A Podnuts podcast recently talked about this. The person interviewed went into detail about how they clean and dry the motherboard, but said the keyboard (yes on a laptop) was just better off replaced... wish I could remember which one it was.

 

[DCGPX]

I've never done the 'bath' method so interested in this thread. Bit confused though, one says use alcohol bath, one gives impression water then rinse with alcohol to rid excess water.

For those who have done this method which is it? and where do you get a qty of alcohol from, there only seems to be spray cans near me.

Ignore last bit, if I search for IPA loads come up.

 

[16k_zx81]

For those who have done this method which is it? and where do you get a qty of alcohol from, there only seems to be spray cans near me.

I got mine from ebay

 

[Styxbound]

I don't want to set myself up as some sort of authority on this business, which I'm certainly not, but I do occasionally clean boards. What method pretty much depends on what kind of crud has to be removed. For example I've done a couple of Katrina flood boards which required detergent; sometimes it's just to clean excess rosin from soldering in which case alcohol alone is enough.

I just use rubbing alcohol which is available everywhere, 70% usually; and it's cheap enough to be used liberally. I also like CRC electronic cleaner because it will take off some stuff alcohol won't and it evaporates very fast, but relatively expensive.

I'd just say the mildest method which does the job.

 

[16k_zx81]

. For example I've done a couple of Katrina flood boards which required detergent.

Could you go into a bit more detail about this method?

What did you do about the keyboards on those machines?

 

[MobileTechie]

Most of the time liquid damage on laptop keyboards breaks them but you can save some by washing them. Just fill sink with warm water and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid and let it soak for a couple of hours then rinse it under the warm tap and dry it for a few days. I've had the sink water turn orange due to the drink they spilled coming out. Ideally you'd do all this with purified water but unless your water is unusually hard then I wouldn't worry.

Same with the mobo really - you can pour very hot water over it with no problems. I've even heard of some people using their dishwasher with no detergent in it.

The key to the whole thing is getting them dry beyond all doubt afterwards.

 

[Styxbound]

Sorry if I sort of side-tracked the discussion_mostly what I've done were desktops, not laptops, though I don't think there's much difference. For the tough ones I'll use warm water and a laundry detergent with a paint brush_that so as not to scratch anything; then a through rinse, compressed air, the alcohol and then more air. Even plain water is somewhat corrosive, more so if it has chlorine, so I want to get rid of it as quick as possible.

My experience in general with trying to clean keyboards of any type is that it's pretty much a lost cause; I don't think I've ever fixed one with a problem by cleaning it.

 

[Skyhooker]

As for drying them, if your oven is an old pilot light style, like mine, that's a good place to put the parts. Mine stays around 90-100 deg. F, which should be perfect. Prop up the keyboard on edge to let the water run out.

 

[loaner]

Its a laptop keyboard, most people don't want to lug a external around.

sorry bro...wasn't thinking laptop keyboard...i should know to stay off here while drinking.

 

[RedFoxComp]

Sorry if I sort of side-tracked the discussion_mostly what I've done were desktops, not laptops, though I don't think there's much difference. For the tough ones I'll use warm water and a laundry detergent with a paint brush_that so as not to scratch anything; then a through rinse, compressed air, the alcohol and then more air. Even plain water is somewhat corrosive, more so if it has chlorine, so I want to get rid of it as quick as possible.

My experience in general with trying to clean keyboards of any type is that it's pretty much a lost cause; I don't think I've ever fixed one with a problem by cleaning it.

Probably because you're using tap water. All the minerals left behind after the water dries is going to cause you major problems. Water is not the problem, what's dissolved in the water is. Distilled water is not conductive and leaves no residue because there are no dissolved solids.

I have used distilled water to rescue cell phones, laptops, remote controls etc. For example, for a cell phone that is dropped in the toilet or sink:

1) pull the battery
2) Give it a bath in distilled water making sure it flows through nicely to get all the minerals out. Sometimes I open it up if there aren't enough holes in the case, scrub with a clean toothbrush if it was dropped in juice or something similar. I spot clean tough areas with 99% isopropyl.
3) To speed drying I typically pat dry as well as possible with a clean rag and then seal it in a tupperware container with some dessicant. I have a large quantitiy of silica gel for this purpose but you can use dry rice too.

The same goes for motherboards, keyboard or anything else. IMO straight alcohol is too strong a solvent to be using on components that have tape and other adhesives holding things on. You may end up with things falling off in the future.

 

[Styxbound]

Thanks for the tip about the distilled water, Redfox. I know for sure my well water is a chemical soup. I do think the alky and air pretty much get rid of the water though_haven't noticed any problem, but a good rinse with the distilled water certainly can't hurt.

The only thing I've had come loose is the backing plate on a p4 not long ago, and I think there may be times it needs to be taken off to put new thermal compound.