One minute you're working away on your laptop. The next, you're looking at your keyboard, now submerged in coffee that's laden with cream and sugar swirling into your keyboard and beyond.
What you do in the next few minutes will determine if you'll soon need a new laptop. Think of it like this, explained Dave Arnold, owner of A Computer Repair Service, the oldest computer shop in Marietta, "On a laptop, the computer's motherboard is just underneath the keyboard. The chances are extremely good the liquid will go through the keyboard." John Black, owner of 1 Man Geek, a computer repair shop in Ball Ground agrees and adds that what you spill is almost as crucial as where it goes. "Coke and coffee have ingredients that are a mixture for disaster because they're so corrosive," said Black. "The keyboard is mounted on a flimsy piece of aluminum. It doesn't take much for liquid to leak past the keyboard."
Just to sum it up, right now, things aren't looking good for the life of your laptop. However, you may be able to change that, if you take the following steps, according to Black and Arnold.
1. First, immediately turn the laptop upside down to keep liquid from advancing.
2. Quickly turn off the computer. Unplug it and remove the AC adapter and the battery, that is, if you are able to remove the battery. "With most of the new laptops, there's no place for the battery to come out," said Black. "And as long as the battery is charged, the laptop will stay on. The best you can do is to open up the laptop and get a fan, direct it toward the keyboard and leave it alone."
3. However, if you own an older laptop and are able to remove the battery, the next step is to unplug all the connected devices, USB cords, mouse, etc.
4. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to sop up as much liquid as possible on the keyboard and under the keys. Use cotton swabs to clean the crevices around the keys, if there are some nearby. Remember, you're battling time as much as you're battling the situation. "Dry off the keyboard as quickly as you can," said Black. "If you have it, use a can of air to spray around keys."
5. Blot, don't wipe, the sticky residue with slightly wet cloth or paper towel. Some suggest using a hair dryer on the lowest setting at this point, but Black cautions against that. He says computer components are very fragile and can melt or sustain additional damage due to heat.
6. If the spill is massive, try tilting the computer toward an air vent and gently shaking it to force as much liquid out as possible.
7. Depending on the size of the spill, you may need to take the laptop apart to access the rest of the liquid. If you're not comfortable doing this, take the laptop to a professional as soon as possible. Static electricity can damage a computer. If you decide to disassemble the case yourself, you'll need to take some extra steps to protect your computer. "Time is the issue. If whoever it is has the right kind of screwdriver and can go to YouTube and figure out how to get it done, they can probably do it in less time than it would take to get to a shop," said Arnold.
8. Neither Black nor Arnold recommend removing the keys from the keyboard and washing them with dish soap and warm water, as several online repair tutorials suggest. "Five years ago, you probably could remove the keys, but these days with the technology, if you remove the keys you'll probably never get them back on," explained Black. In addition, keyboards are relatively cheap, but this is labor-intensive. "I'll replace a keyboard before I disassemble one," said Arnold. "It's just not a simple job."
9. Once you have done everything you can, leave the laptop open, near a fan if possible, and don't touch it for a day or two.
10. After all this, if some keys on your keyboard don't work, replace the keyboard. They typically aren't expensive, about $20 to $80. "The parts are more expensive for older computers," said Arnold. However, there are numerous sites online that carry keyboards. One that offers a large library of free video tutorials on how to change out your keyboard is LaptopKeyboard.com. YouTube also has a number of step-by-step videos, many posted by computer manufacturers. And of course, it's always smart to back up your files, just in case the inevitable cup of sticky, sugar-sweet coffee comes tumbling your way.
Considering a backup plan? Click here for several backup solutions and how they stack up.