Spilled water on went on bottom of laptop

[Computer0304]

I accidently spilled water near where my closed and powered off laptop was and I am worried that it could have been damaged. Since it was on the bottom though, could any significant damage have been done and how should I dry it WITHOUT opening it? (I am always scared to open any electronic device because once I have tried it and broke something) I have already taken the battery out and did not flip it upside down because the water was on the bottom, not the top.
Edit: The side of the laptop with the keyboard and screen is not wet and the stickers are not peeling off.

 

[cyanna]

how should I dry it WITHOUT opening it?

You could try blowing some warm air through the vents but don't overdo it, electronics are sensitive to overheating! A hair dryer on the lowest setting (even if the air feels cool) but left on for a few minutes could help.
Was the battery wet when you removed it? If not you might not even have a problem.

 

[Computer0304]

No, in fact, the only thing that was wet is the Windows product key sticker, and no water visible to the naked eye came out of the vents. I'm just worried at there might be even the slightest water in any of the important parts inside. Good thing it was unpowered for 2 months because I did not need it for so long which most likely means the capacitors are empty, if not only the slightest bit filled. I just need to copy only a little data that I guess I can worth to lose but I want to try as much as I can. I think the only thing I can do is wait and try it. By wait, I mean like 3 days just in case. Good thing it was not coffee or soda.
Also, I don't want to try the hair drier drying method unless I really have to since if there is any water, it may spread. I know many that have tried that and made it worse.

 

[4wd]

fan heater

Reading your description of a probable very low amount of water, a few hours of fan heater at quite low temp and at a safe distance should give assurance of 'dryness'. Maybe keep the hd \ memory service covers (if available) open.

I just need to copy only a little data

Remove the HD (if accessible) and get the files by usb? (if no HD password\encryption).

Good luck.

 

[TVeblen]

A brief encounter with water will not damage electronic parts when they are off. The only thing you need to worry about now is making sure the laptop is dried out before turning it on.

Tilt it up and lean it on the wall so that the air vents are pointing down (so any liquid water can drain out). Then either leave it like that for 8 hours or so (depending on humidity) or set up a fan to blow on it to speed up the process.

Once you are confident you have given it enough time to dry out you can turn it on.

 

[Layback Bear]

A brief encounter with water will not damage electronic parts when they are off. The only thing you need to worry about now is making sure the laptop is dried out before turning it on.

Tilt it up and lean it on the wall so that the air vents are pointing down (so any liquid water can drain out). Then either leave it like that for 8 hours or so (depending on humidity) or set up a fan to blow on it to speed up the process.

Once you are confident you have given it enough time to dry out you can turn it on.

Just use a window fan and leave it for a day.

 

[carwiz]

Did you remove the button cell battery? It maintains power to the CMOS memory even with the primary battery removed. If no water came out of the case, I doubt you'll have a problem though. It should dry out on its own in a couple of days. As already mentioned, water won't hurt the components as long as they weren't powered up at the time. I've cleaned old motherboards (Less removable components) with Windex and rinsed with distilled water spray then blow dried them with an air gun. The last step at factories is to wash circuit boards to remove flux and debris. This is done after the primary components are installed.

 

[Computer0304]

Thank you guys for the advice. I thought water is harmful even if no electricity is stored in the capacitors. I will leave it to dry for 3 days just to be safe. I mean, it is always better safe than sorry, right?
@TVeblen The water only got near the bottom vents, even if it got in, it should mostly have came out immediately.

 

[TVeblen]

Just a small, simple precaution. Just in case.

 

[Computer0304]

Also, should I test it without the battery first to lower the chances of failure and backup the little data I need to?

 

[TVeblen]

Always a good idea to backup data. You can't do that often enough.

I would power it up with just the battery first. Which makes me wonder: did you remove the battery to check for moisture in that compartment? You can dab that dry with a terrycloth towel.

 

[Computer0304]

There was no moisture. I'm just worried it has no power left since it has not been charged for 2 months. The AC adapter and the port on the laptop for it did not get wet because it is on the right side, where no water got to.
But I guess I shouldn't try to argue, when you are trying to help.
I'll just have to wait and see and hope for the best.

 

[TVeblen]

Sounds like it's time to power that thing up and see.

 

[Computer0304]

I'll give it two more days just in case. Because it's always better safe than sorry!

 

[TVeblen]

Tis true!

 

[Imrankhan]

This is for You.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASvbnODtq4
All you need to to!!!

 

[Mellon Head]

A good way to dry out electronics that have gotten wet is to use rice. Simply put the item into a bag of rice and leave it for a few hours to a few days, depending on what it is.

If it has little vent holes like a laptop does, you obviously don't want rice in them, so wrap the item in some cloth, like a pillow case, and stuff it in a bag. Pour in some rice and seal or tie the bag shut and you're good in about 24 hours.

We do this at work. Sometimes stuff comes in from the field a little wet. It's an easy way to dry something out without resorting to heat guns or hair dryers.

 

[carwiz]

I prefer silica packs but if you use rice, don't let it come in contact with the equipment. You'll have a sticky, gooey mess to clean up too.

 

[Mellon Head]

I prefer silica packs but if you use rice, don't let it come in contact with the equipment. You'll have a sticky, gooey mess to clean up too.

Yes, you will. That's why you use a pillow case or cloth bag to put the item into.

 

[Computer0304]

Well, it seems it is not getting wet. I'm still going to wait another day though.