please advise...water damage macbook

[benlee]

my brother spilled water on his cd almost year old blackbook. he sent it in for repairs and they quoted the cost to repair at about $700. He asked me what he should do. My thoughts were to spend a little extra money and get a new c2d macbook with a student discount. what do you guys think? Also, can applecare be transferred to the new computer? can the water damaged one be sold? could i fix it for much cheaper?

Thanks for any advice.

[Kilamite]

Depends how bad it is.

If its dried in on the motherboard, can cause short circuiting and unfixable unless you replace the motherboard.

You could sell it as a faulty Macbook and someone will buy it on eBay and salvage it for parts.

You are better getting a new one if it is gonna cost that much to repair.

[Sopranino]

Originally Posted by benlee

my brother spilled water on his cd almost year old blackbook. he sent it in for repairs and they quoted the cost to repair at about $700. He asked me what he should do. My thoughts were to spend a little extra money and get a new c2d macbook with a student discount. what do you guys think? Also, can applecare be transferred to the new computer? can the water damaged one be sold? could i fix it for much cheaper?

Thanks for any advice.

Okay, that sucks.

A couple of questions first;

1) Was the computer off, or turned off immediately after the water was dumped on it.

2) Did you attempt to turn it on before insuring that all of the components were dried out. (that can take a few days depending on the relative humidity)

3) If you answered yes to question 1 and no to question 2 then you might still be able to get it running again.

Follow the following steps.

1) Dismantled the entire computer/
2) Clean all of the connectors, logic boards and key board connections with isopropyl alcohol.
3) Allow the alcohol to dry off completely, it should just about be instantaneous.
4) Reassemble
5) Power on and assume the prayer position.

I've fixed a couple of electronic devices that have been accidently submerged doing the above steps and the units have always worked afterwards. I can't (obviously) guarantee that the above mentioned system will work for you, but if it is going to cost 700 to fix the problem anyway, what have you got to loose?

Sopranino

[benlee]

how much do you think one could potentially get for a damaged blackbook cd with 1gb of ram? The quote from apple said the logic board, optical drive, and harddrive needed to be replaced but i dont know if they are just saying that or what. Im sure the memory is fine as well as the battery and the screen. also with it would be the power adapter. any ideas what this may be worth. Thanks.

[drake]

I'll give you $50cdn for it. Its worth something for the case, even if all the components are dead.

[psycoswimmer]

Follow Sopranino's advice.

If it was off when you spilled on it, and you haven't turned it on since the spill, leave it alone. Let it dry for a really good amount of time. Then, try to power it on and hope for the best.

[benlee]

that is the advice i would have given my brother but he probably turned it on and it was sent to apple. dont think there is any chance of it working anymore