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Phew!!

D

davids8477

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 4, 2008
282
3
Well I just dodged the bullet!

This evening I spilled a 1/2 glass of Rum and Coke on my running Macbok Pro.

IMMEDIATELY I powered it down and removed the battery.

Then spent the next hour heating it with a high powered hair dryer.

Left if for 1/2 hour and re-inserted the battery.

It powered on and I am writing this post on it.

Phew - maybe - I really wanted a new MBP :)))) :D
 
I think you might have jumped the gun. Report back to us if it's still working in a few days. Idk how much you spilled, but it could cause a short anywhere at anytime.
 
Haha. You've seen the light (your display), now wait for the magic (smoke, poping, crackles).

Surprised it's still functioning after only 2 hours. You are definitely lucky. I would've left it for atleast 3 days (in rice).
 
i'd cry myself to sleep if i spilt a drink on mine - but i know not to try turn it on for at least a week and leave it in a bag of rice :D
 
First of all thanks for everyone's "sympathy" :)

Actually the hair dryer approach is not so dumb.

The rice method works because the rice lowers the humidity of the surrounding air. This speeds up the evaporation of the spilled liquid.

Since the MBP case is aluminum heating that will transfer the heat to the inside of the of the computer. The heat will lower the relative humidity and thus speed up the evaporation - the same effect as the rice (or silica gel etc).

In either case there is still the risk of residue left behind - resulting in stick keys etc - so far not seen on my machine.

As for the amount of liquid spilled - it was about 2 ozs and I immediately flipped the MBP so the the keyboard was facing down - to allow drainage - and at the same time powered down and removed the battery. This last process taking about 5 seconds max.

It booted up fine this morning so I think that's a good sign that I evaporated the liquid. I agree that only time will tell and each day will be an adventure for the next week. Just part of life's great adventure.
 
CompanionCube said:
I am amazed at the frequency with which people spill drinks on their MacBook Pros. Amazes me.
Click to expand...

I would have to agree. I never drink or eat anywhere near my MBP. I know accidents happen but it seems many people here treat their MBPs like TV Trays. :eek:
 
The very nature of a laptop means that most are exposed to more risks than a desktop typically would be.
I always try to be careful about my surroundings when I use mine but, ****** happens sometimes.

Anyway OP, looks like you dodged the bullet this time but, like I said, your warranty may well be shot.
 
Fubar1977 said:
The very nature of a laptop means that most are exposed to more risks than a desktop typically would be.
I always try to be careful about my surroundings when I use mine but, ****** happens sometimes.

Anyway OP, looks like you dodged the bullet this time but, like I said, your warranty may well be shot.
Click to expand...

Yes - still working fine. Its a 2006 so even my Applecare is exhausted.
 
vacuum cleaner

davids8477 said:
Well I just dodged the bullet!

This evening I spilled a 1/2 glass of Rum and Coke on my running Macbok Pro.
IMMEDIATELY I powered it down and removed the battery.
Then spent the next hour heating it with a high powered hair dryer.
Left if for 1/2 hour and re-inserted the battery.
It powered on and I am writing this post on it.
Phew - maybe - I really wanted a new MBP :)))) :D
Click to expand...

I did it on my old pc and used the nozzle of my vacuum cleaner to suck up the liquid. Nothing went through
Which part of the laptop did you direct the heat from the hair drier? On the exposed back?
 
Politis said:
I did it on my old pc and used the nozzle of my vacuum cleaner to suck up the liquid. Nothing went through
Which part of the laptop did you direct the heat from the hair drier? On the exposed back?
Click to expand...

I lay the open MPB with the screen flat of the kitchen counter and then used the hair drier all over the back and the keyboard side until the Aluminum was hot to the touch. Left it for a while and repeated several times.

I also blew hot air into the various ports an pushed open the PCI "gate" to ensure that air went into there also.

So far so good :)
 
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