Macbook Help

[rr5025]

So I just spilled beer on my MacBook. It wasn't too much maybe about two ounces but it was enough to get in the keys.

Within a couple of seconds the Mac shut itself off. After that I immediately flipped it over and took out the battery. Right now it's upside down on a paper towel to hopefully drain and dry out.

I just went to the apple store to see what they had to say and they of course want to send it to the depot and charge me multiple hundreds of dollars.

I looked it up on Mac forums and all I found there said to do what I did, let it dry for 3-4 days and then open it up and clean it with distilled water.

Anyone here know what to do for this or have any good links for info?

[Muaguana]

Thankfully I haven't experienced that with my Macbook Pro (which would be screwed since I would waste 15 minutes unscrewing the back plate to get to the battery), but I've read that cleaning it with 90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol is preferable to water, due to quick evaporation and lack of residue. Using distilled water, you may not need to worry about the residue part, but if water gets between parts in a computer, it could take a while to evaporate completely. Case in point, I used contact cleaner on a key once and rather than evaporating in seconds like it usually did, I saw tiny puddles of the stuff underneath the plastic film beneath the key. They stayed there for days.

[fdeck]

From what I understand, notebook computers have liquid sensors that might prevent re-starting. In my view your best bet is to sit it somewhere warm for a few days, such as in the trunk of your car. See if it will show any sign of life, without the battery, and perhaps even with the keyboard disconnected.

If the liquid has gotten under any of the IC's, then you're hosed, because it will cause corrosion in a hurry.

[rr5025]

Honestly I was kind of dreading having to take this sob apart (I've heard taking apart macs is a bitch due to their construction). Seems like I'm going to have to go that road now. Anyone have a good tutorial of how to do it (I understand this is a case of ltmgtfy but in my experience I've run into some how tos that are pretty crappy)?

[Muaguana]

Mac Repair - iFixit

Start by selecting your model, then the procedure. Fairly easy-to-follow instructions.

[69limeRev]

Ifixit is what I've used in the past. The keys for me have been to make sure I've got a few uninterrupted hours set aside, a good clear work area and a nice set of very small screwdrivers. Also a bunch of small ziplock baggies. I printed out the instructions, and for every step i would put the screws into a baggie and tape them to the step I was working on. Made it relatively easy to follow in reverse to put things back together. It wasn't hard at all. Just required time and patience.

[rr5025]

So I finally got a chance to take this apart. I am using the core 2 duo upper case instructions and I am stuck at step 6. I can't get these little sobs to turn. Any suggestions?

[fdeck]

Are you at a point where you can examine it for the extent of damage? You might not have to go any further if you can identify the problem (e.g., damaged keyboard) and bring it back to life.

[Muaguana]

Originally Posted by rr5025

So I finally got a chance to take this apart. I am using the core 2 duo upper case instructions and I am stuck at step 6. I can't get these little sobs to turn. Any suggestions?

Ratchet screwdriver? Radioshack sells one specifically for computer repair, and is surprisingly of passable quality (i.e., it's not complete crap like most of their tools.) About $17.

[rr5025]

So I took it apart and it works however the middle of it was not workin. then next time I turn it on the keyoard doesn't work at all. (I'm usin a keyoard I found at oodwill that is missin some keys).

[Vorago]

You could put it in a big bowl of rice for a week to thoroughly dry it out.

This morning, a friend of mine drove off with his Macbook still on the roof of his car.

So you could have done worse

[Dirk Diggler]

Yes pack it in rice.