MacBook + Beer = OH ******!!!!!!!

[maestrocasa]

Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!

[flopticalcube]

Leave it to dry out for at least 48 hours, preferably more. Do not take it in to a repair center or attempt to open it yourself.

[.Andy]

I'll be reassuring and say that you'll be 99% you'll be fine maestrocasa. I spilled a heap of beer on my Powerbook G4 and did exactly what you did and it all turned out fine (although the new keyboards might admit a bit more liquid). A guy at work did the same thing last week with his blackbook. I'd just make sure that it's 100% dry (I waited an agonising 48 hours) before switching her back on. I think the only thing pulling it apart will achieve is helping you access how much beer is in there and perhaps helping it dry more quickly.
Good luck.

p.s. you should also drink import. Asahi is actually good for you mac.

[overcast]

Unfortunately, beer is not water. And it contains lots of sugar and everything in between. The contacts under the keypad and whatever else it seeped into are going to be coated with sticky crap. It may work after, but it needs to be cleaned.

[flopticalcube]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

[zioxide]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

lol

Macbook = student laptop
students = beer

:D :cool:

[PimpDaddy]

Be glad it wasn't Smirnoff Ice or something like that. That my friend... That is sticky stuff! ;)

It's 4:50 AM here in Denmark, so don't pay attention to my post. I'm quite drunk(have been drinking al sorts of "import" beer all night :D )

[GavinTing]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

And gin is for..?

[nickster9224]

linux of course

[dap1215]

Maybe water proof MacBooks should be next.. I mean there is at least 1 post per week about some1 spilling something on there MacBook.. Camo water proof macbooks!!! I'm gonna start a thread and rumor!! :D

[Abstract]

I highly suggest you open it up and clean it, or ask someone to open it up for you.

[flyinmac]

Unfortunately, beer is not water. And it contains lots of sugar and everything in between. The contacts under the keypad and whatever else it seeped into are going to be coated with sticky crap. It may work after, but it needs to be cleaned.


Just shove a straw under the spacebar. You've now got yourself a computer that can ferment fresh beer (though it may taste funky - but who cares).

Now, you can take a sip of nice warm beer every other line or so (if it doesn't ferment fast enough, just add more).

Welcome to the club of Apple Mac Fermenters.

A portable beer fermenter. What more could you ask for :D

[Mr. B]

Um, my friend spilled beer onto her macbook.

It still worked perfectly afterwards except for one BIG problem

All the keys were sticky. Underneath I mean.

So everytime she pressed a button they would stick a little bit.

Drove her crazy.

Definately try and clean it out if you can.

[maestrocasa]

Maybe water proof MacBooks should be next.. I mean there is at least 1 post per week about some1 spilling something on there MacBook.. Camo water proof macbooks!!! I'm gonna start a thread and rumor!! :D

camo and waterproof? sign me up now. couple it with a high powered wireless transmitter and GPS, and I could sit in my tree stand and call-in missle attacks during deer season. way cooler than using a rifle or bow!!:D!!

It's only been 12 hours, so I'm not going to start the MB yet. I don't know if I can stand to wait until monday night! sure hope it's ok. If it's sticky, I guess I'll take it in for a cleaning. Any idea on how much that might cost?? I sure hope I don't have to replace her machine. I blew all my money on my MBP!

[Cybergypsy]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

Cristal......

lol

Macbook = student laptop
students = beer

:D :cool:

Cheap beer!

[rdowns]

Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! ......

Please tell me what to do quick!!!

Do not attempt to initiate sex.

[Kazak]

Forget about the blackbook... how much beer were you able to save?

[theman]

If the battery is out of it, fill the bathtub with water, and completely submerge the macbook in water and swish it around for a few minutes. Then let it dry for about 4 weeks. No sticky beer inside.

[grafikat]

Ugh! that reminds me of the day I got a very nice SLR camera, only to have someone spill an entire Mountain Dew onto it. I hadn't even loaded the film yet. It never did work quite right, even after having it cleaned :mad:

[anothermacaddic]

I'll be reassuring and say that you'll be 99% you'll be fine maestrocasa. I spilled a heap of beer on my Powerbook G4 and did exactly what you did and it all turned out fine (although the new keyboards might admit a bit more liquid).



My powerbook g4 actually drank more coffee than I did on a regular basis. Never a problem..it usually just drained out the vents. However, my first blackbook had just a dribble spilled and whammo instant death. These 2 systems arent comparable durability wise in my opinion.

[Vuzie]

Step 1: Get in Car
Step 2: Go to nearest Apple Store
Step 3: Find equivalent product
Step 4: Wander store for "I'm sorry I didn't love your mac enough to give it protection before taking it for a drink" extras
Step 5: Fish out your wallet....

Oh.. and next time you want to buy the macbook a drink... make sure it has a n iSkin keyboard cover... something is better than nothing.

[emac82]

This is why I bought an Accidental coverage warranty on my mac..It was $50 more than AppleCare, but it's worth it!!!

[Martin C]

This is why I bought an Accidental coverage warranty on my mac..It was $50 more than AppleCare, but it's worth it!!!
I'm planning on getting a MacBook Pro soon. Where did you get that warranty?

[Ninja Guidan]

Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!


Note to self...

Put Macbook Pro away before having weekend cocktails.

[gnasher729]

Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!

I'd give a call to my home insurance to check whether it is covered, and I'd call Apple for advice what to do.

[MikeTheC]

So what type of beer was it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Me, personally, I try never to let my Blue Moon anywhere near my PowerBook. :eek:

[bennyboi]

So, how pissed was your girlfriend?
The mac was not the only one to be inactive for 48 hrs I presume.

I love macs, but I'm equally upset over the beer spill too.

[Butthead]

Do not attempt to initiate sex.

LOL, rdowns, goes down again returning with the classic with the best 'tar on MR. Hmm, but maybe initiating sex will help with her flared temper, sometimes it works you know, depending on how young and immature they are, lol.


Leave it to dry out for at least 48 hours, preferably more. Do not take it in to a repair center or attempt to open it yourself.

Best advice I see here. However, I would try pure Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alc, is the same, but not as pure so it can leave a residue that discolors plastics) as it usually doesn't mare/discolor/affect the color of plastics (check by soaking wash cloth in it and leaving in contact with the plastic, in the least noticable spot on the machine, for a good long time). It's cheap by the pint or quart/liter, it will evaporate and semi-clean the offending liquid from the insides without doing damage to sensitive electronics. You can buy more expensive electronics cleaners that evaporate very quickly, but they are expensive, and you also need to check compatibility with plastics as they will melt/discolor some plastics.

Water has a tendency (unless it's distilled water) to cause some minor oxidation of electrical contacts, so if you washed it with water, I'd go buy some desiccant/drier material for packaging or from a chemical supply company, put it into an air tight container and leave it with dessicant for several days, the dessicant can be reheated and used again, they are sold with color indicators crystals, and colorless versions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccant

Um, my friend spilled beer onto her macbook.

It still worked perfectly afterwards except for one BIG problem

All the keys were sticky. Underneath I mean.

So everytime she pressed a button they would stick a little bit.

Drove her crazy.

Definately try and clean it out if you can.

Oh sorry, my mind was still on another post, was thinking it got sticky from initiating sex, or messy aftermath I mean, lol :D)


You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

Cristal......

lol

Macbook = student laptop
students = beer

:D :cool:

Cheap beer!

Spilled cheap kegger beer, after one too many bong hits, lol

Cristal? That's for the hip-hop/rapper bling-bling crowd. Erudite (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/mwwodarch.pl?Aug.12.2007) & sophsiticated Mac owners toast with Krug Vintage or Krug Vintage 100% Chardonnay based, single vineyard 'Clos du Mesnil' @$750/btl, or Salon, even DP when it's good.

Brings up a point though, if your male is a bon vivant, gourmet chef/dinner like Anthony Boudrain and he's spilled vinegar while wipping up a dish to seduce you with, like vinegar (the worst!); wine is typically very acidic (not as corrosively acidic as vinegar or some soda pops, lol) and will definely corrode the electrical contacts inside your laptop...got to get it cleaned...if it doesnt' mostly trickle out/drain out of the laptop after you've proped it up on it's various sides trying to remove as much liquid as possible; either by your own doing with Iso alc, or other electronics cleaning liquids, or by $$$ repair shop.



If the battery is out of it, fill the bathtub with water, and completely submerge the macbook in water and swish it around for a few minutes. Then let it dry for about 4 weeks. No sticky beer inside.

4 weeks? Who can wait that long, besides if it is water, and you're in a relatively low humidity environment (prop it up next to a window A/C and the dry air will get it done much faster) it should dry out completely in less than a week.

My powerbook g4 actually drank more coffee than I did on a regular basis. Never a problem..it usually just drained out the vents. However, my first blackbook had just a dribble spilled and whammo instant death. These 2 systems arent comparable durability wise in my opinion.

Hmm, coffee is acidic, contains corrosive tannins, it's nasty stuff! Worse than wine- clean that sucker if you spill coffee on it. If mostly spilled out of the vents, probably is fine, but if it "pooled" somewhere inside, that corrosive liquid is bad to have inside.

[emac82]

I'm planning on getting a MacBook Pro soon. Where did you get that warranty?

I bought it from CompuSmart, in Canada...They closed down though. My warranty is still good though, I have a local service center that services the warranty (The warranty was backed by the Warranty Company of Canada)

[Osprey]

Probably better to buy or repair the mackbook than have to find a new girlfriend. After all you are still alive, so she must be fairly understanding.:D

[dontwalkhand]

Forget about the blackbook... how much beer were you able to save?

This is a Mac forum, therefore, forget about the beer, how much beer are you able to sell to buy more Macs? ;)

[jessica.]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.
hah hah that is true!
lol

Macbook = student laptop
students = beer

:D :cool:
Well he has a point
And gin is for..?
Old people

And bong hits plus keg beer, you kind of deserve that. Pot + cheap beer + blackbook = bad idea.

[Nils47]

What should a Windows user drink before turning on the pc, and have a great time? :p

[bobcan]

As some previous Poster noted.. BEER is not too pure... and from 20 years of Pro Audio experience, I have first hand knowledge that WATER (as pure as you can find) is the ONLY THING that will SAFELY Break Down Beer/ Cola if you spill on Electronic Items....

You should first Remove any Power to Unit and drain off as much as possible the Beer; at this point water cannot be a Bad thing to Introduce to the Device as long as No Voltage present (I am not completely sure of any "power storage" items in Computers unfortunately... There are obviously some BackUp Batteries and Capacitors involved... Hopefully someone smarter than me on this can advise...) :confused:

That being said, the Beer/ Cola should be broken down w/ Very Warm water ASAP... I have DUNKED more than a couple of $10,000.00 Audio Consoles in a Bathtub after someone spilled a Pitcher of Beer (or a FULL TRAY of Drinks!!) during what seemed like "Good Fun" to Party Revelers.... I don't know "how wet" you can get a Computer Safely (speakers/ Screen ?? Sealed, etc) I would think trying to "squirt at it upside down" so it drained immediately off, removing Beer w/ the rinsing water.. ???.. Maybe?? .... and then Dried with Forced Air Flow to reduce possibility of contaminants actually adhering to the Contacts...

I am "cautiously Optimistic" that this is the most likely way to begin the Healing Process.... I do hope others will post w/ serious help as well... GOOD LUCK!! :o

[emac82]

Any update on the MacBook? Did you get it working??

[flopticalcube]

Yes. He did (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=358212).

[maestrocasa]

I didn't check this forum for a couple days and I return to find a plethora of advice. THANKS!

the beer was AmberBock (michelob product-not bad for like $5.00 a 6pack)

I was scared to try dunking it in a tub. (can you REALLY do that? what about clock batteries, etc?)

after 72 hours, it restarted and is doing fine, except for sticky keys (check out my other post here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=358212))

Against the advise of council, I did attempt to initiate sex. luckily it worked and I was able to distract her from the sparking, flaming macbook for something like 2 or 3 minutes.;)

Thank goodness she's understanding and has a sense of humor!

If you have ideas about sticky keys and other damage concerns, post in this thread or here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=358212)

[maestrocasa]

Cristal? Krug? Dom?

Man o Man. I've been running Apples since the IIC and I never realized just how classy and sophisticated we were! you guys must have taken a much more practical career path. I went into public education and am lucky to splurge on guinness or a bottle of NightTrain once in a while.

congratulations to you guys!

[webgoat]

i myself was the victim of a beer fried laptop... a friend of mine ended up knocking an entire sam adams light all over the keyboard of my dell inspiron 8500... with the money i extracted out of him afterwards i was able to purchase my new mbp so it ended up being a blessing in disguise.. just wish it had been a better beer that had destroyed the majority of my college work... :cool:

[sbluetruck]

You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Beer is for PCs. Macs drink wine.

Macs =/= 30 year old scotch????