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General discussion

Spilled Wine on MacBook. Turns on by itself.

Jun 27, 2007 1:03AM PDT

Ok so about a week ago wine was (barely) spilled on my macbook, which is less than a year old. Apple said it would be 800 to fix so we tried it ourselves. I took the whole computer apart and let it dry for a few days and I was very happy with what i got back. The computer turned on after a lot of attempts (and now turns on nearly every time), but when I shut it down or put it to sleep it wakes itself up.

update: when i actually put the screws back in to close the computer the charger no longer works. the light on it turned off and the battery isn't charging. this has happened when it was open and usually i just disconnect and reconnect the dc in socket in the computer and disconnect and reconnect the keyboard (the built in one). i can't do that when it's closed so i'm looking for another more practical solution.

Questions:
does anyone know what's at fault for these problems. is it the logic board?

does anyone know how to fix the problem?


Thanks in advance,
-Jmondo

Discussion is locked

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Less than a year old?
Jun 27, 2007 1:30AM PDT

This machine was under warranty when the wine was (barely) pilled on the MacBook.
White or Red?

My point here is that Apple would have repaired this under warranty had you just said that it had stopped functioning. (Especially if it was white wine)

If the wine was barely spilled, what prompted the complete dismantling of the computer? Just removing the keyboard should have been sufficient. Run it under a hairdryer for a while to dry it out and you should have been good to go.

Are you referring to the AC adapter when you say the "charger" or are you referring to the light that surrounds the DC input, the one that goes orange and green, when the computer was working normally?
Were you disconnecting and reconnecting the DC in socket and Keyboard while the computer was powered up or after you had shut it down?

There is a possibility that the PMU has become corrupted. To reset:
If the computer is on, turn it off.
1. Disconnect the AC Adapter and remove the computer's battery.
2. Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.
3. Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.

This "might" fix the non-charging problem.

Now that any warranty you had is void, you will find it difficult to get extended AppleCare on this machine. From what you say, I gather you did not purchase AppleCare when you first got the computer.

P

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went to the genius bar first
Jun 27, 2007 4:17AM PDT

Let me clarify. First, the laptop isn't actually mine (well now it is) it was my mom's. The first thing she did when the computer shut off was turn it back on (stupid, b/c she should have called me first). When she went to the apple store, which she also did before calling me, she told them that she spilled something on it. since it was accidental damage, that was it. not covered. they said it would be 800 bucks. Apparently the hard drive was all sticky and wet when they brought it in, too.

As for your questions:
I meant the DC part with the light. The computer is completely dry inside and out, but still doesn't function correctly. I've heard that I should take out the logic board and hose it down, b/c some of the sugar from the wine may be making it malfunction, but we'll see. First I'm going to run the apple hardware test to see if I can get anywhere. I think the computer has been off every time for the dc socket but I probably have pulled the plug on the keyboard socket while it was on to see if the keyboard was making it come back from sleep... apparently it was (at least it seemed it).

The only time i got it working (before the update) it worked until I did reset the PMU, then I had to disconnect the keyboard again and when I plugged it back in the fan revved up and the computer started, but the battery wasn't seen by mac os x and the charger light didn't work. So for some reason the PMU reset actually makes it worse, which i can't understand.

and no... no applecare and as soon as they found out it got spilled on I think that option was gone.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully my answers can generate some more ideas.

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Places I ask for estimates.
Jun 27, 2007 4:37AM PDT

Try ikenfixit.com and notefix.com. These can be less than Apple since they'll fix a board or connection if they can where Apple swaps boards.

Bob

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that explains it
Jun 27, 2007 4:43AM PDT

For another 300 she can get a brand new one! That 800 price will cover everything that is wrong with the laptop, right down to the scratches on the case.
It's a "worse case" scenario that covers everything. It "could" cost less but from your expanded explanation it would seem as though more needs to be done to it than just the keyboard.

If you are going to soak the board to remove any sugar residue, you may be able to find a product specifically designed to do that. Like an inert liquid, one that does not conduct an electrical current.

Strange about the PMU.

On the grounds that the HD is not well, have you tried booting the machine from a CD?

P

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they think the hard drive is busted, i don't
Jun 27, 2007 5:04AM PDT

I have used my mom's new macbook's hard drive which initially seemed to fix the problem very early on in the diagnosis (before I got it to boot again for the first time). that seemed to help, but then again her hard drive seemed to also work fine for some reason after that.

basically, either everything fails at once or everything works at once, so i'm thinking its the logic board. I will follow your advice as well on the liquid that I use to clean it. Hopefully this will solve the problem as I'm on a very limited (basically nill) budget.

Thanks for the help (to everyone).

Let me know if you come up with any other suggestions.

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sleep light
Jun 27, 2007 6:15AM PDT

my sleep light stays on. i just noticed that that isn't normal (I don't think). When the computer is on (let me remind you that my computer doesn't shut off) the sleep light stays on. It doesn't pulse, it just stays on a dull setting (duller than when it's sleeping for like 2 seconds). Is that supposed to be? Does this give any more hints? The only time the light is off is when the computer is turned off and the battery and plug are disconnected.

oh yeah and sorry if this ends up in the wrong place. i'm new to cnet forums, but I sure am gonna stick around.

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Reply to Sleep light (doesn't turn off, is bright then dull)
Jul 7, 2007 10:47AM PDT

I have a Mac 1.5 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 MB DDR SDRAM. I had a similar problem with instability during the first 3 months I owned the machine. I took it to the store repeatedly and they tested it and found nothing wrong. Finally it failed to boot and did not work one morning, and so I took it back to the Apple Store where it was tested again. It needed to be sent to Apple's repair service (out of state) to have a new Logic board and a new SDRAM board installed. After that it was okay. It still baffles me why the problem was not diagnosable for so long. Total insured price of repairs was $310; since the repair was covered by the warranty, I did not pay anything out of pocket.

I don't know why it has been unstable lately, but I have to clear off lots of old mail and empty the trash more often; not doing so can cause that. Good luck.

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thanks for the help
Jul 7, 2007 11:08AM PDT

Hmm. Strange how they quoted you about $300 and we got quoted $800. At that price I might have considered letting them fix it. I'll probably have problems now since I've opened it and stuff.

I also posted this on the apple discussion boards and I'm forming the same conclusion. I have a problem with the logic board and that costs a lot to fix. These problems aren't just going to go away and at some point the computer will probably kick the bucket. Oh well.

I guess I'll just use it until it dies. Maybe I'll bring it to a non-apple mac store and see if they can fix it for less... you know, something around $300. I just don't like putting money into things like this because something else always fails afterward with circumstances like this (spilling wine on it and all).

Thanks for your help! As much as I don't like these answers, I am almost convinced that I should probably just enjoy this machine while it lasts.

Now... If I could only find those restore DVDs to run the Apple Hardware Test. I lost them. I feel like such a n00b.

Thanks again!

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My reply to: thanks for the help
Jul 7, 2007 11:54AM PDT

Hi. No one knows how long it will last. The Apple repair cost me nothing; it sounds like the Apple warranty excluded coverage because it wasn't a manufacturing defect but an accident that caused the damage. I researched companies that do special cleaning of electronics with special chemicals that hopefully will not hurt the machine. There is such a company in San Leandro,CA. When I became allergic to dust, pollen, mold, and the doctors don't know what kinds of these allergens, I sent my (at the time Dell and peripherals) to Restoronics. Contact them. Be savvy if you use the service; they charge for the pickup, packing, and return delivery. I was charged a full charge for the return of my things because I did not watch that part of the contract--they took 15 minutes to drop off my things after they were cleaned and I paid for 90 minutes--not sharp! I did the unpacking, but the items were pristine and usable again and everything was/is fine. No one can guarantee that this will do the trick, but if the grape sugar from the wine is messing up the machine, this could work. If on the other hand the problem is a defect in the parts of the computer, then cleaning may not be appropriate. Talk to Apple or a computer specialist about this one and best of luck to you. Restoronics is the company, San Leandro, CA, last I know of.

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thanks for the referral / advice
Jul 7, 2007 12:33PM PDT

Besides the fact that I probably should send the computer in for a good cleaning I think I will take that advice and see what I can do on my own with that first. I've read and heard from reputable people that motherboards can basically be thrown in the dishwater. I haven't really cleaned it thoroughly. I'm actually in MA, too so Cali might be a little far for me. I'd probably try something local first.

I really appreciate your help and your input.

Thanks!

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Spill the wine, dig that girl.......
Jul 13, 2007 1:04PM PDT

Here it is plain and simple from a electronics repair tech with over 25 years experience. ANY liquid spill in consumer electronics is a death sentence. Reason being is the liquid that you CAN'T see, the stuff UNDER IC's will eventually start corroding the leads of various components. Now if you have access to a vapor/degreaser you can probably save the PCB's/ PWA's. If not your best bet to cleaning the circuit boards would be to use "HOT" water and then fill a small tub with Isopropyl Alcohol at least 91% or greater and submerge the board for at least an hour, remove, shake and either let it air dry or blow dry, then let it sit and air dry the rest of the day/night until the next day. The alcohol will "draw" (remove) water from the G10 fiberglass material the PCB is made of, plus it will remove the water from under the components.
With that said, I always told my customers that I could NOT guarantee the board would not fail again because of the original problem.
I have had success though following the above procedure.

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Hi moondoggy, thank you for
Jul 13, 2007 3:00PM PDT

Hi moondoggy, thank you for the professional opinion. I did not have a spill; it was dust, etc., that got into mine and no amount of vacuuming would remove it. Squirting canned air is potentially a total loss as well; safer that canned air be used on keyboards only if desktop, not laptop.

I do not know what PWAs and PCBs (Personal Computer Boards?) are but figure they are some kind of circuits. You were very kind to contribute. I need to learn more about Mac. I did not do the classes as I intended when I bought it. It is quite a machine.

Does this procedure of opening up a computer and touching the parts not also require wearing a special metal bracelet to draw off any static electricity? Touching a circuit could zap it and the static could render it useless per a conversation I had with a repair tech like you last week.

I am a novice using these public chat and info forums. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Best, Phantom

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thank you, this is sooo helpful
Jul 13, 2007 11:56PM PDT

I really appreciate your input. Do you suggest using distilled water at any point during this, b/c I have a gallon of it sitting in front of me. would it be better than regular water for this? Ok well thank you very very much for the professional opinion and I'm definitely gonna try it.


Thanks!

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HI moondoggy about the distilled water
Jul 14, 2007 6:07AM PDT

I need to clean the rollers on the printer. Distilled or bottled water is what they recommend. I have never opened up my laptop and would not want to. I iChatted with Dannie at HP and he wrote: 1) unplug printer power plug & remove back door. 2)wipe paper rollers with lint-free cloth lightly moistened with distilled or bottled water. Rotate rollers with fingers to clean all the way around. 3) allow the rollers to dry completely, then close rear door. 4)open print carriage access door. 5) use soft cotton swab dampened with water to clean the 4 small metal paper rollers; avoid touching encoder strip. 6) use clean, dry cotton cloth to wipe the carriage rod. Move carriage as needed to clean full length of rod. Do not lubricate the rod. 7) close printer, plug in power cord, turn on printer. Without a lot extra words that is what I am instructed. I want it to stop squeaking. I refer you back to the tech expert who responded and knows what to do. Personally, I'd call Restoronics; their cleaner is inert chemicals. Best, Phantom

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re: distilled water
Jul 14, 2007 9:43AM PDT

Distilled water is about as chemically inert as water can get. Part of the reason is the distillation process removes most of the minerals and salts found in regular water.

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Thanks grim:
Jul 14, 2007 4:32PM PDT

That is helpful. I have yet to pull apart the printer and do the cleaning. It is reassuring to know why certain things work. I hope that lady with the wine in the mac gets the situation resolved. I just need to roll up my sleeves. Happy day to you, Phantom.

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similar problems
Nov 18, 2007 11:40AM PST

my cat spilled a full glass of water on my closed macbook. it wasn't plugged in, but was on and sleeping. upon discovery of this terrific incident, i took the thing completely apart and let it dry for 48 hours. still, the click button on the trackpad did not work, and worse, the computer would go to sleep by itself while i was using it, sometimes as often as every 10 seconds. it also would not go to sleep when i closed it. i took it to the apple store and didn't tell them that there was a liquid spill, but of course they found me out when they opened it up. they told me that it would cost $800, because OF COURSE the logic board needed to be replaced. but they also gave me pictures of the damaged parts, and the only piece that actually shorted out (from what i can tell) was the sleep switch.

i said no, took the computer home, and now it very rarely goes to sleep on it's own. i know it doesn't make sense, but it just sort of got better. i bought a new sleep switch online for $20 and i'm going to put it in and see if it fixes the problem, because to be honest, i don't trust apple when they say that the logic board needs to be replaced. the dc jack on my old powerbook broke, and apple also told me that it would cost $800 to fix it (because the logic board needed to be replaced). i bought a new jack and installed it and the problem was fixed completely. i hope you have luck with yours. let me know how it works out and i'll do the same.

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I think Apple
Nov 20, 2007 4:14PM PST

tends to use the logic board excuse for a lot of things. And it makes sense given how many iBooks and MacBooks *do* have logic board issues, they can get away with it. But good for you for not falling for it Wink

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Maybe they need some kind of excuse
Nov 21, 2007 9:38AM PST

for their high-quality machines Wink. I doubt they would just say, oops, we messed it up. They won't take the blame.
To the poster about the cat and the water (like the creator of this thread), why would you even have liquids or foods by a computer? And a Mac, which happens to be more than just your average PC? I was always told to never eat or drink by a computer, which I do anyway, but I don't leave stuff around it. It's not completely your fault I guess, but a whole glass of water pretty much screws your warranty, provided you tell the geniuses that.
And now I wonder why Alienware and all those super-expensive PC companies install water cooling systems when they can leak and ruin your gaming machine. Ouch. From what I've heard, their customer services suck too. One guy had a post about his Alienware desktop which he spilled paint on, which looked cool, and he would have to pay $400 in shipping to the unfriendly tech support. Some things never end. Why can't people appreciate the machines they shell out money for and attempt to be careful around them?
-BMF

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we appreciate our machines
Nov 21, 2007 10:27AM PST

but not you

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Are you kidding me?
Nov 21, 2007 11:12AM PST

I appreciate my machines more than most people. I'm quite thankful, I just found it sad that these accidents occur. I'm not trying to point you out. Why my MBP has multiple shell issues plus power button problems. And I guess the power button problem is partly my fault, though it's always been that way. Anyway, I'm just trying to help here.

Screw Apple for not making an accidental repair plan. I recommend drying it out and taking it to a different store and just say it quit on you.

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Oh and if I seemed offensive, I apologize.
Nov 21, 2007 1:07PM PST

Like everyone else has said (myself included), just dry it and get it repaired. $800 for accidental repairs... I would just plunk down the rest of the cash for a new one if that happened to me, but I'd rather not have to deal with it. Why does stuff like this, and especially the customer service, have to be so unfriendly sometimes? Part of the way of business or simply they don't care. Though the guys at my Apple Store are friendly and helpful.

Forgive me for my comment if it seemed harsh.
-BMF