5 months ago, I spilled a little bit of milk on the keyboard. Wasn't much at all so I wasn't worried at first. 10 minutes later I notice liquid coming from the speakers, so I know it got down inside the laptop. Ever since then, it has powered up off and on. It will ONLY cut on when the battery is charged 100% and when its plugged into the outlet. I'd say 70% of the time, there are times when it will not come on at ALL. I have a feeling something has short circuited. Now, I could spend $60 at Circuit City to have them tell me it needs a new circuit board, but I have a feeling thats what it comes down to. What do you guys think? How much do you think it will cost to get fixed? PS its not under warranty anymore.
Usually, circuitry and cables and boards do not mix well with liquids. jk. What I mean to say is, whenever the milk spilled and it went inside the machine, it was time to stop using it and let nature take its course and let the insides evaporate before turning it on. I really can't say why it's acting like it can only work when 100% charged, but it looks like you got some liquid still in there that hasn't dried. I'd recommend letting it dry before you try anything else at all or even trying to turn on the laptop. Here's tips on how to save a cell phone that fell in water: http://cellphones.about.com/od/basics/ht/phone_water.htm (related? maybe)
I believe you're right w/ all your assumptions. I think if you ask Circuit City to go through w/ the repairs, they will apply the $60 'investigation fee' or whatever it is to the cost of the actual repair. I've had the motherboard of my laptop replaced once, for around $250 directly from HP (the brand of my laptop). I can't say how much it would be from a 3rd party. In any case, your motherboard will need to be changed. Depending on how nice your current laptop is, you might decide to bite the bullet and just buy a new one instead of fixing up your old car, so to speak. The cheapest route is to buy a motherboard on eBay and do it yourself (or find a friend technically inclined enough to do it). Good luck.
Just to add on, Swoly is right about letting it dry out. For future reference for whoever faces this problem, immediately shut down and unplug whatever electronic component gets wet. Then give it plenty of time to evaporate. This obviously depends on how much you spill. The worst thing you can do is let something run while still wet.
Sounds very difficult to replace. I cant even figure out how to get all the screws out of the bottom. By the way, if anyone on here knows how to replace these things let me know and Ill pay you.
If it's a fairly popular model and the screen still works, that alone can get you some money back. For example, my inspiron 6000 has basically the same problem as you and for me to fix it would cost around $200 for a motherboard. However, if I sell it I will get around $200. I just bought a brand new laptop for $449 and there are deals every week for $399 laptops if you get lucky...or $499 if you'll pay a little more. Now when you do the math, you can get a much better NEW laptop for $100 more than your old laptop with a new motherboard. I'd just go ahead and get the new one.
dont laugh.... buts is an Acer Aspire 3690 and BTW i got it to cut on tonight (I prayed for it at church BTW) but it wont be this easy tomorrow.
Put it in the freezer, and then after awhile the stuff in there will freeze and then take it out. And all the liquids will dry off.
I agree with Pharmacist. Furthermore, you can sell your old laptop for 100 bucks on Ebay, and use that cash to get one of those new laptops for $399.
