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?
Coffee related incident
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- SilverLounger
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Coffee related incident
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- PlatinumLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
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.
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- Administrator
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Re: Coffee related incident
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.
StuartR
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
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 :)
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 :)
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- cheese lizard
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Re: Coffee related incident
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
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
Cheers, Claude.
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- Administrator
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Re: Coffee related incident
some keyboards are also attached with screws from the bottom of the laptop
StuartR
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- cheese lizard
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Re: Coffee related incident
I've never come across one of them, all the ones I took apart started by removing the keyboard.StuartR wrote:some keyboards are also attached with screws from the bottom of the laptop
Cheers, Claude.
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
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
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
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- Administrator
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Re: Coffee related incident
Here's a photo showing the keyboard screws on the bottom of my HP Compaq nc6220 laptop.Claude wrote:I've never come across one of them, all the ones I took apart started by removing the keyboard.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
StuartR
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
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
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- PlatinumLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
I don't think spraying between the keys will do ANY good.
BOB
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If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
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If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Coffee related incident
I think you are rightviking33 wrote:I don't think spraying between the keys will do ANY good.
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.