Spilled soda on laptop keyboard, is it dead?

Question

Last night I spilled soda on my laptop keyboard, and I quickly rushed to get paper towels. When I looked at the screen again, it said HARDWARE MALFUNCTION, SYSTEM HALTED. Now, all it does is boot for 5 seconds with no display and turn off. Is my laptop dead for good? Or can I still fix it somehow? Please answer, this is a very horrible situation for me.

Answer 1

It kinda depends on the type of soda you spilled. If it was a diet soda you have a chance at reviving it. If it was a regular soda then the sugar has gummed everything up and you are outla luck.

If diet soda then I'd try waiting for everything to dry out before trying again. You could get adventurous and take the keyboard area apart and see how much liquid got into that area - it might speed up the drying process.

Good luck!

Answer 2

had the same thing happen, i popped all the keys off mine (if you do it - make sure the keys are able to come off - read the book that came with it and write down the order exactly how they go) and clean and dust everything. Leave it apart for a few days to dry very well. It worked for me, but I did it right after it happened. Good luck

Answer 3

It doesn't look good. With a laptop, more is involved than the keyboard, since everything is so compact. Your motherboard or hard drive (or both) is probably fried. Sorry to give you bad news.

Answer 4

I hope it did not get inside the computer.

What if I spill a drink on my keyboard..
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/03/what-if-i-spill-drink-on-my-keyboard.html

How to Clean Up Keyboard Spills
http://www.ehow.com/how_113592_clean-keyboard-spills.html

Keyboard Cleanliness: Clean Your Laptop’s Keyboard
http://www.pctoday.com/editorial/article.asp?guid=&bJumpto=true&Isfrm=IN&article=articles/webonly/techsupport/20w10/20w10.asp&ArticleID=31207

Cleaning laptop keyboards
http://www.computing.net/howto/simple/keyboard/

How To Clean a Sticky Keyboard
http://www.net4tv.com/VOICE/story.cfm?storyid=1032

How to clean your computer keyboard
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/maintenance/cleaning-keyboard.htm

You CAN Put Your Keyboard in the Dishwasher (don't)
http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=263

How to Save a Laptop from Liquid Damage
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Laptop-from-Liquid-Damage

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In the end I suspect you will need to replace your keyboard.

Buy a standard keyboard with a USB Plug. Plug in your USB port. After you restart your computer the keyboard should start working.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Order=PRICE&Page=1&Category=29&Nty=1&N=2000290063+1084307071&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=63
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:9||c:142||c:533|&Sort=4


You can buy a new replacement laptop keyboard for your laptop on eBay, Dealtime, etc.

If you Google "Replace Keyboard" "your model" you should find the instructions on how to replace the keyboard. If you do not want to try to do this yourself you will need to take it into a shop.

For example:
HP http://motls.blogspot.com/2007/02/fixing-keyboard-of-hewlett-packard.html
Acer
http://www.kriyayoga.com/how_to/how_to_replace_keyboard_and_ram_ferrari-4005.html
Dell
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/keyboard.htm

Answer 5

OMG! I'm so sorry, that sucks, was it under warrnty?Well I'm no laptop expert but since you can't change the hardware on a laptop as esaly as a desktop and its giving you problems like that i would say its toast.

Answer 6

Take it to a repair shop. I had the same thing happen to me. I let it slide for a hot minute but then eventually the spill made its way to the motherboard completely frying it and I had to send it to california to get it fixed.

Answer 7

I'd say that you're screwed buddy. Try getting a new keyboard and wire.....if that doesn't work then call FIREDOG!

Answer 8

unfortunately, its dead.
you will have to replace the motherboard.
ebay the laptop and by another.