Coffee related incident

[agibsonsw]

My Windows 7, Compaq laptop has come back to life after a recent "coffee related incident". I can't open the battery bay or the CD drive, but this is not a major concern. But a number of letters, including the Space bar, on the laptop-keyboard aren't functioning.

Without paying a fortune to a repair center, is there a piece of software, or a (DOS) setting, that might assist in (possibly) fixing these issues?

[Bigaldoc]

I can't think of a single piece of software that will fix a liquid spill into a computer. Sorry... mebbe someone more knowledgeable will respond.

[StuartR]

You're only option is to open up the laptop, dry it out thoroughly, and then probably replace the keyboard. You can buy a replacement keyboard for a fairly low cost (£20 to £40) and it is not too difficult to replace, but does require some hardware competence.

[agibsonsw]

Thanks both. I was being foolishly-optimistic in asking about a piece of software to fix this, although an MS dialog offered to go online to fix my laptop, but never did

I can't open the case as the battery bay is jammed (the release switch doesn't move). I'll have to try to get around this somehow - without breaking the case. In the meantime, at least it is still alive :)

[Claude]

Must have been SOME coffee

Seeing the you can't remove the battery, let the battery drain completely, wait an hour, turn the lap top back on and repeat until you can't restart it at all.

To take a laptop apart, one starts by removing the keyboard. You'll find, when you look closely, that it is being held in place by a few (normally 5) tiny hooks at the top of the keyboard, locking it into the case.

You'll need a small screwdriver to push them open, once unlocked, remove the keyboard gently and remove the cable which is held in a slide-lock in the center of the motherboard .

Once you've removed the keyboard, spray it with an electrical contact cleaner which you should be able to get from electronics / hobby shops

[StuartR]

some keyboards are also attached with screws from the bottom of the laptop

[Claude]

some keyboards are also attached with screws from the bottom of the laptop

I've never come across one of them, all the ones I took apart started by removing the keyboard.

[agibsonsw]

Thanks for this great advice. I shall follow it once I've got hold of some magic electrical contact cleaner.

Once I'd spilt the coffee from a (top-heavy) polystyrene container, that is when I was advised "that is why we insisted on the company providing regular-shaped mugs"! I.e., after the event

[StuartR]

I've never come across one of them, all the ones I took apart started by removing the keyboard.

Here's a photo showing the keyboard screws on the bottom of my HP Compaq nc6220 laptop.

[agibsonsw]

I've drained the battery and ordered the contact cleaner. I suppose as a first attempt I can spray between the keys without opening the case? I'm still suspicious that I won't be able to open the case fully without forcing the battery lock open

[viking33]

I don't think spraying between the keys will do ANY good.

[agibsonsw]

I don't think spraying between the keys will do ANY good.

I think you are right