From the presented article you can find out all the necessary information about what to do if you have flooded the laptop with water, and what actions should be taken in the first place to avoid further damage to all important parts of the device.
The most important thing
What to do if I uploaded a laptop? Immediately after any liquid has entered the computer, it must be completely de-energized. To do this, do the following in the urgent and indicated order:
- disconnect the power cable from the laptop itself;
- immediately after filling the laptop with water, remove the battery.
This must be done as quickly as possible. Do not start the standard shutdown procedure and try to dry the keyboard. Such slow actions will lead to the fact that the entire hardware of the computer is simply short-circuited.
As a result, a large number of parts may be damaged. Moreover, both external and internal. And you will have to repair not only the flooded laptop keyboard, but also the motherboard with everything that is connected to it. And this is a fairly large amount.
However, it is worth noting that, most often, RAM is the first to suffer. Therefore, it is necessary to check it.
RAM diagnostics
So, you filled the laptop with water, what to do next? After you unplug the power cord and remove the battery from the case, try to dry the laptop. You can begin to check this part of the computer strictly only when all the liquid has dried. Both inside and out. But for this you need to disassemble the device. Just follow the instructions below:
- If you poured water on the laptop, turn it upside down.
- Remove all the bolts holding it and carefully remove the part. If you have to use force in the process, stop and carefully inspect the housing again. You may not have noticed one or more of them.
- Carefully remove the RAM slots in the flooded laptop and inspect them.
- Check for oxidation or various black spots. If they are missing, install it again.
In the event that the above points are still manifested, the part is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Attention! When changing RAM dies, consider their type. It can be either DDR2 or DDR3. Therefore, when buying, look for exactly those varieties that are indicated in the manual for the computer or in the specifications on the box.
As a result, the more bars you had and the more of them turned out to be damaged, the more expensive it will cost you to replace them.
Check Slots
If you uploaded a laptop, damaged RAM slots and successfully purchased new ones, do not rush to install them back. First, inspect the place to place them. Otherwise, the purchased parts will also be damaged.
In the event that you have one slot, you will have to use it. But if there are two of them, then inspect them and place the die in the one that turned out to be more intact. To check, just connect the power cord to the laptop. The battery is not worth returning.
Next, try to start the device. If it turns on and enters the system, then most likely only the RAM is damaged. However, if there is a black screen or a complete lack of reaction to attempts to turn it on, it is worth disconnecting it from the power supply and again removing the back cover.
Most likely, in addition to one or both memory slots, other details were damaged.
Further inspection
If you have uploaded a laptop and, having completed all of the above steps, are faced with the fact that it does not turn on, it is worth moving to a more complex option of inspection and repair. If you do not have enough skills in this matter, then it is better to seek help from someone who understands this, well, or to a service center.
One of the most important parts that could be damaged by water is the processor. But to check the guesswork, you need to figure out where it is installed:
- as before, unscrew all the bolts that hold the back cover of the laptop;
- carefully remove it and inspect the contents;
- If there is no processor slot on the particular side, carefully place the part you removed earlier and tighten all the screws into place.
In the event that the last item you have matched, then you need to go to the analysis of the upper part of the device.
Removing the keyboard panel
If, after you uploaded your laptop, you have completed all the points indicated above and are faced with the fact that the processor of your device is located on top, then you need to parse its upper part by removing the keys located here.
But before you get started, familiarize yourself with the following important points:
- Check the structure of the front panel. See if it consists of one part or two. In the second case, the top deck is removed first.
- Modern laptop models use fixing tape or metal latches. Keep this in mind when removing the panel.
- Do not make sudden movements, so you can tear off the train.
Now you can begin the process of removing the keyboard. To perform this procedure correctly, follow the instructions below:
- Using a flat-blade screwdriver, carefully pry the upper part to the right;
- then move slowly to the left, gently releasing the locks to fix the restraining elements;
- after releasing the panel, disconnect the cable, without sudden movements.
CPU inspection
After removing the keyboard, carefully remove the processor from the slot. Inspect it for any foreign matter (other than thermal paste). If you find what you need, carefully clean the part with a piece of cloth. You can try contacting service centers, where this procedure will be performed using ultrasonic baths.
Self-cleaning of this element may result in damage to the feet or connectors.
Board damage
After cleaning the processor, do not forget to inspect the motherboard. You need to pay attention to capacitors. If they were swollen, then the part was damaged and, most likely (unless you can solder), it will have to be replaced.
Also inspect the remaining elements of the board. If any traces were found on it, then they can be erased with alcohol. But still it is recommended to seek the help of specialists. Otherwise, instead of some details, you will have to buy a new laptop.