Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Spilt water - power on, but screen not working

P

PeterJ72

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 20, 2006
13
0
I spilt some water over my unibody MacBook Pro about 36 hours ago. It was dark, and as the screen didn't respond I assumed that it had shut down, but on closer examination the next morning (after turning it upside down) I found that it was still running. I shut it off then.

There didn't seem to be much water inside the MBP, so I tried turning it on just now. It made all the right start-up noises, but nothing on the screen (the Apple logo also wasn't illuminated). I forced it to shut down again right after.

I'm not near a service centre at the moment, so am wondering if I should just wait a few more days, or get it sent in right away? I guess the fact that it starts-up is encouraging, so hopefully the damage is just limited to something connected to the monitor. No water was split over the LCD itself, but I'm guessing some may have entered at the back of the unit, where it connects to the main body.

Any feedback would be most appreciated!

PS. I did almost the exact same thing to my 3yo MB about 2 months ago, and it started working after about 3 days. I guess I should be more careful about what I put near my computer in future! :)
 
Give it a few days to dry out and kept shut down. Since this has happened to you before, ever thought of learning from the past and buying a keyboard cover for the new one?
 
OK, I'll keep it off another 2-3 days.

Maybe I'll look at a keyboard cover, although it may be better to start with not having water so close to my MBP, or opening it up at 3am after a long night out. :)
 
PeterJ72 said:
PS. I did almost the exact same thing to my 3yo MB about 2 months ago, and it started working after about 3 days. I guess I should be more careful about what I put near my computer in future! :)
Click to expand...

Definalty be more careful in the future :D. Don't turn it on anymore for a couple of days as it may cause more damage if it is wet. If after a couple of days its still not working then you will have to go to an Apple store.
 
I don't understand why do people insist on switching on a computer after it's gotten wet? Why don't they chill, give it enough time to dry off first? And perhaps in the mean time remove every possible power source to the machine? I've seen it time and time again... and still people don't seem to get electronics and water don't mix. :rolleyes:
 
UltraNEO* said:
I don't understand why do people insist on switching on a computer after it's gotten wet? Why don't they chill, give it enough time to dry off first? And perhaps in the mean time remove every possible power source to the machine? I've seen it time and time again... and still people don't seem to get electronics and water don't mix. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Easier said than done. :) As for the power source, I of course removed the power cable right away, but given that the battery is built-in, that's a bit more difficult. :) Actually, what's the protocol for this with the built-in battery on the MBPs?
 
Should've waited longer before turning it on.

Put it in a container full of rice for a week.
 
unfortunately, I think the damage is done. especially since it was on the whole night after the spill. you may want to remove the bottom cover and setup a small fan to blow on it. but i think it may be a lost cause at this point.

since you have done this twice in the last 2 months, I would bet that you WILL do this again. If you do, SHUT THE MACHINE OFF right away. even though the battery is built in, you can still unplug it from the logic board. at this point your warranty is toast anyway so might as well unplug the battery and give yourself a fighting chance. next open up the machine as much as possible. Open the lid, open the bottom and put fans on it to speed up the process.

if you are comfortable with it. take the computer apart so the components can get completely dry. again, the warranty is shot so who cares at this point.

most important is do not get in a hurry and try to "test" it too soon.

DO NOT TURN ON!!!!!!!!

at least 72 hours, the longer, the better the chance.

lastly, be prepared. you can do all this and it still not work.

now it is time for the whoopin'

the best solution is prevention.

C'mon man, once i call an accident. twice, i call negligent. three times and you should be barred from ever using an electronic device again.

KEEP FOOD & WATER AWAY FROM YOUR $2000 COMPUTER...
 
MBP Spill

Let it dry out for a week or two. If the screen still does not work.:( Use the mini-dvi to DVI or VGA to get files off the MBP. Then sent it in apple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back