[ltp] Fluid spill on T40's keyboard

Dan Maranville linux-thinkpad@linux-thinkpad.org
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:30:19 -0400


>>> I spilled fluid onto my T40 -Type 2373's keyboard, and it now does not
>>> power-on. I was able to wipe it off quickly and pulled it; it appears
>>> that no fluid went through; does it need to be replaced? TIA
>>>
>>
>> A couple of months ago I spilled cofee with milk on my T60 (the lid was
>> closed, but some of it went inside).
>>
>> I pulled off a/c adapter and battery as quick as I could. I opened it to
>> check how much of it got inside and to dry it a little bit.
>>
>> I plugged it a moment to check if it still worked and it was =E2=80=9Cde=
ad=E2=80=9D.
>>
>> It was in the morning, so I left it and went to the office quite pissed
>> off.
>>
>> When I got home in the evening, I plugged it again to re-check it=E2=80=
=99s
>> death; and it was alive and kicking! (I guess it dried completely
>> through the day).
>>
>> These T series are quite robust=E2=80=A6
>>
>>
> The problem with drinks is they can leave stuff such as sugar etc.,
> which may interfere with operation. =C2=A0What you can do is rinse it wit=
h
> clean water, to remove the contanminants. =C2=A0Water will not hurt
> electronics and, in fact, hot water or steam are often used to clean the
> circuit boards during manufacture. =C2=A0I have often used hot water to c=
lean
> circuit boards I was repairing. =C2=A0However, make sure the board is dry=
,
> before applying power. =C2=A0Alcohol can be used to rinse out water.

Be aware that isopropyl alcohol may remove the coating on components
or boards, just be careful when using it to clean up and you are
golden.