Before you go to a new page, read the article first. It could save you a lot of money at a later stage. This article teaches you how to repair your laptop, instead of running to the nearest computer technician, and allowing yourself to be fleeced for a thing that you can do yourself. This article is a sort of “how to” article on how to repair your laptop yourself. Read carefully for herein lie a few methods that will help you in getting your laptop back in working order.
At the outset are given certain steps that can be at best described as ‘first-aid’ that is to be given to the computer in the event of its breaking down. Invariably, most of us have at some point of time or the other spilled water or our drink on the keyboard of the laptop, or better still spilled water on the laptop as such! Rather than biting your nails in desperation, retaining your cool and taking immediate action would be beneficial. The following three steps are to be administered immediately:-
a) Turn off your computer: Common sense dictates that liquids will permeate the many working parts of the laptop and short-circuit the whole system. Shutting off the power input right away minimizes the danger of a short circuit, and also prevents extensive damage from occurring. Removing the external hardware is not a bad idea, given the circumstances. Remove the power cable and battery immediately.
b) Blot the area with a dry, absorbent cloth: Immediately, on spilling of the liquid, take a dry cloth that absorbs water, and blot as much of the liquid as possible. Also, if possible, open the laptop, and do the same inside too. A point to remember is that you must not tilt the laptop. This is a normal, instinctive reaction but in doing so you are allowing the liquid to spread to the dry areas.
c) Air dry for a minimum of 24 hours: Leave it alone. Again, do not attempt to blow dry it, or hold it over a slow fire. You can forget your laptop for good if you do so. The ideal would be to let it dry on its own. There are chances it would start functioning on its own.
The aforementioned steps are the requisite ‘first aid’ that would get your laptop back into working order, under normal circumstances. If, however, in spite of the first aid provided, the problem persists, it would only be proper that you seek the assistance of a qualified computer technician. If cost is a concern, seek computer technicians on Kijiji or Craigs List. They would find a way out for you. If the costs are enormous, remember you can simply remove the hard drive and mount it on an external hard drive so that you can retrieve all your important files and data. Besides, you also have the advantage of getting a brand new hard-drive!
There are many videos and material available on the net that provide solutions to all problems associated with laptops. The best video is the one made by Steve Cherubino who specializes in such repair and has his own workshop in Philadelphia, PA.