Unicomp Spacesaver got spilled with water, repair possible?

[fireglow]

Hey,

I managed to spill a glass of water over the desk today, the keyboard got a generous amount of water on, and sadly into it.
While it was connected to a running computer.
Now the right arrow key has ceased working.
I have no experience with water damage on keyboards, is it possible to fix?
Sending it in to repair is unfeasible, the shipping costs would be too high.
Is it worth opening the case and have a look inside?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[fossala]

If you can bolt mod it, it may be worth to take a look inside to seed if any of the traces have got water in them. If it is the controller you should be able to order one of unicomp.

[fireglow]

Okay, that sounds good, I'll go and buy a tool for opening those screws tomorrow.

[roguemaster8]

Exact same thing happened to me a few months ago and the same key ceased to function. Your best bet would be to order some new innards from Unicomp. They had me send mine in and charged me a repair fee of about $45.

I live stateside though, so for me it was probably considerably cheaper.

[ripster]

Here ya go, try this first, let it dry and you MIGHT be lucky!

http://www.overclock.net/t/1255538/help ... t_17215757

[captain]

I have saved many wet electronics with high-test isopropyl alcohol (>90%!). It displaces the water, then evaporates quickly. BUT, it can also do further damage, so be careful. Good luck!

[Maarten]

I love it when people i know throw water over their electronics. Two weeks ago my neighbor went swimming with his cellphone in his pocket, it ofc went bust and even when i offered to repair it he wouldnt have it and bought a new one. Luckily i could buy a new daughter-board ($13 shipped) so now i have myself an almost free LG Black with only a busted camera!!

So if you're unable to 'fix' your board feel free to send it to me

[fireglow]

roguemaster8, ripster, captain:
Thank you for your suggestions!

I am, however, still struggling to get the right tool, I've tried 5 mm and 6 mm, either too small or too big,
so next I'm going to try and order a 5,5 mm:

(image courtesy of http://www.reichelt.de)

Do any of you remember what size fits those screws?

[RC-1140]

yup, 5,5mm it is. 7/32" works as well, I have exactly the Screwdriver you posted and it is great for Model Ms.

[ripster]

I love it when people i know throw water over their electronics. Two weeks ago my neighbor went swimming with his cellphone in his pocket, it ofc went bust and even when i offered to repair it he wouldnt have it and bought a new one. Luckily i could buy a new daughter-board ($13 shipped) so now i have myself an almost free LG Black with only a busted camera!!

So if you're unable to 'fix' your board feel free to send it to me

I can beat that. My Sansa Clip fell in the toilet while I was peeing but I fixed it...

Ewww......
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?1946 ... post373103

Fixed Image here:


if ALL else fails Unicomp will replace the main module for like $30-$35.

Bolt Mod would as well.
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2961 ... ment-Guide

[kint]

first action with fluid/electronic accidents:
hard unplug power instantly. Let consumer parts soak up the last bits of electricity in there (i.e. LEDs on keyboards) or remove that electricity still stored in capacitors by pushing the power buttons etc..
Open, remove all accumulated fluids ie by towel and /or shaking softly. In case of sticky fluid accident (coke etc..): Rinse with Isopropanol as captain suggested. otherwise just let it dry.
If there are ICs in there those can take ages to dry and they sometimes accumulate fluids under their body - hard to remove. Rinse with Isopropanol then too.
Let it dry at least some days, then try to plugin. In most cases the device will start working.
the problem is not the electronic parts + fluids, but electricity + fluids.

[ripster]

No Isopropyl on Filcos.

Eats away the UV/Hardcoat.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title= ... al+Testing


And EUROPEAN denatured Rubbing Alchohol (Methanol) is potentially MUCH worse. It starts affecting ALL ABS keys.

[captain]

I can beat that. My Sansa Clip fell in the toilet while I was peeing but I fixed it...

I PEE what you did there.


(sorry. Just had to be written. ;-P)