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Pass the Salt, please

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  • W W Balboos GHB

    Suggestions Wanted: My three desktops, all vertical standing, had about one inch (2 1/2 cm) salt water in them before I could get them off the floor. Since they were off (and power had gone out about half an hour earlier) nothing was immediately fried. Any experience or suggestion on trying to retreive them alive? I'm planning to rinse the with plain water and letting the dry. Then, it's power up (and watching the pretty sparks and clouds of smoke). Some external USB drives did the teabag trick - I plan to open, inspect, rinse and dry if needed, and use USB dock to read drives. With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before.

    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

    "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

    D Offline
    D Offline
    Dalek Dave
    wrote on last edited by
    #7

    Rice. Open them up cleanse with fresh water, towel dry and pour rice over them boards. It is a desiccant and will absorb all moisture. I have done it with mobile phones before now. (Remember, dried rice, not tinned rice pudding!) After a day or so clear off the rice and wipe down. Should be ok.

    --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

    W Mike HankeyM L 3 Replies Last reply
    0
    • L Lost User

      What sort of components were affected?

      W Offline
      W Offline
      W Balboos GHB
      wrote on last edited by
      #8

      Primarily the lower end of the MoBo, when mounted so the ports are considered the high end. There may be some connectors at the bottom for USB, audio, etc.

      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

      "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • R Rage

        On a serious note, the option "Wash it with water and let it dry" should be OK. I would use a wet towel (do not spray or flood the computer directly).

        ~RaGE();

        I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb

        W Offline
        W Offline
        W Balboos GHB
        wrote on last edited by
        #9

        The reason I was considering a rinse (vs your wipe-down) is to flush under board components, as well. Wiping will certainly take care of the solder side. This would be a good time for components to have gold connectors.

        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

        "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • D Dalek Dave

          Rice. Open them up cleanse with fresh water, towel dry and pour rice over them boards. It is a desiccant and will absorb all moisture. I have done it with mobile phones before now. (Remember, dried rice, not tinned rice pudding!) After a day or so clear off the rice and wipe down. Should be ok.

          --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

          W Offline
          W Offline
          W Balboos GHB
          wrote on last edited by
          #10

          Oddly enough, I've much rice at home (probably dry, too). Depending upon the situation, I might stop with a good rince-and-towel-down: the time frame for having internet is not promising. Followed week or so in a sunny window. The rice might be a good idea for the USB HDD cases. They're small enough to be covered and enclosed in an airtight plastic box, acting as a desiccator.

          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

          "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

          B 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • W W Balboos GHB

            Suggestions Wanted: My three desktops, all vertical standing, had about one inch (2 1/2 cm) salt water in them before I could get them off the floor. Since they were off (and power had gone out about half an hour earlier) nothing was immediately fried. Any experience or suggestion on trying to retreive them alive? I'm planning to rinse the with plain water and letting the dry. Then, it's power up (and watching the pretty sparks and clouds of smoke). Some external USB drives did the teabag trick - I plan to open, inspect, rinse and dry if needed, and use USB dock to read drives. With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before.

            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

            "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

            N Offline
            N Offline
            No e
            wrote on last edited by
            #11

            You might try rinsing it with de-ionized water not regular water, it is regularly used for washing PCB boards.

            C 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • W W Balboos GHB

              Suggestions Wanted: My three desktops, all vertical standing, had about one inch (2 1/2 cm) salt water in them before I could get them off the floor. Since they were off (and power had gone out about half an hour earlier) nothing was immediately fried. Any experience or suggestion on trying to retreive them alive? I'm planning to rinse the with plain water and letting the dry. Then, it's power up (and watching the pretty sparks and clouds of smoke). Some external USB drives did the teabag trick - I plan to open, inspect, rinse and dry if needed, and use USB dock to read drives. With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before.

              "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

              "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

              "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

              W Offline
              W Offline
              wizardzz
              wrote on last edited by
              #12

              DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?

              N C W 3 Replies Last reply
              0
              • L lewax00

                I've heard Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol are good for cleaning electrical components, plus rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly so drying doesn't take long. I've personally used alcohol wipes to clean CPUs when changing their cooling accessories, all worked fine after, but I wasn't cleaning parts that are meant to carry signals.

                A Offline
                A Offline
                Albert Holguin
                wrote on last edited by
                #13

                I second the alcohol... we use it at work for cleaning components...

                O 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • N No e

                  You might try rinsing it with de-ionized water not regular water, it is regularly used for washing PCB boards.

                  C Offline
                  C Offline
                  charlieg
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #14

                  That or distilled. The problem is going to be the salt.

                  Charlie Gilley You're going to tell me what I want to know, or I'm going to beat you to death in your own house. "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • W W Balboos GHB

                    Oddly enough, I've much rice at home (probably dry, too). Depending upon the situation, I might stop with a good rince-and-towel-down: the time frame for having internet is not promising. Followed week or so in a sunny window. The rice might be a good idea for the USB HDD cases. They're small enough to be covered and enclosed in an airtight plastic box, acting as a desiccator.

                    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                    "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

                    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                    B Offline
                    B Offline
                    Bassam Abdul Baki
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #15

                    If it does heat up and burn, you'll have a very tasty computer with alcohol and rice. Add some meat on there for good measure.

                    Web - BM - RSS - Math - LinkedIn

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • W wizardzz

                      DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?

                      N Offline
                      N Offline
                      Nagy Vilmos
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #16

                      They were on a island, Long Island.


                      Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

                      W 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • D Dalek Dave

                        Rice. Open them up cleanse with fresh water, towel dry and pour rice over them boards. It is a desiccant and will absorb all moisture. I have done it with mobile phones before now. (Remember, dried rice, not tinned rice pudding!) After a day or so clear off the rice and wipe down. Should be ok.

                        --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

                        Mike HankeyM Offline
                        Mike HankeyM Offline
                        Mike Hankey
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #17

                        If rice works I wonder if Kitty litter would work? It's super absorbent and is used on driveways and shops to absorb oil on the floor, as well as other places.

                        VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.0 ToDo Manager Extension
                        Version 3.0 now available. There is no place like 127.0.0.1

                        D G 2 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • N Nagy Vilmos

                          They were on a island, Long Island.


                          Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

                          W Offline
                          W Offline
                          wizardzz
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #18

                          If I remember, they were on Long Beach, which is South of Long Island. Though Long Beach is technically an island, and it is long.

                          N 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • W wizardzz

                            If I remember, they were on Long Beach, which is South of Long Island. Though Long Beach is technically an island, and it is long.

                            N Offline
                            N Offline
                            Nagy Vilmos
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #19

                            Okay then, he was on a beach. Long Beach. Happy now you've ruined my one and only chance at a joke? :sigh:


                            Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

                              If rice works I wonder if Kitty litter would work? It's super absorbent and is used on driveways and shops to absorb oil on the floor, as well as other places.

                              VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.0 ToDo Manager Extension
                              Version 3.0 now available. There is no place like 127.0.0.1

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Dalek Dave
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #20

                              Probably, but I would advise using FRESH kitty litter!

                              --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

                              Mike HankeyM 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D Dalek Dave

                                Probably, but I would advise using FRESH kitty litter!

                                --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

                                Mike HankeyM Offline
                                Mike HankeyM Offline
                                Mike Hankey
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #21

                                Dalek Dave wrote:

                                Probably, but I would advise using FRESH kitty litter!

                                That would probably be best, but I'll sell some used real cheap.

                                VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.0 ToDo Manager Extension
                                Version 3.0 now available. There is no place like 127.0.0.1

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • D Dalek Dave

                                  Rice. Open them up cleanse with fresh water, towel dry and pour rice over them boards. It is a desiccant and will absorb all moisture. I have done it with mobile phones before now. (Remember, dried rice, not tinned rice pudding!) After a day or so clear off the rice and wipe down. Should be ok.

                                  --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  lewax00
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #22

                                  Rice is good for drying, but it won't take care of any thing left behind by the salt water.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • W W Balboos GHB

                                    Suggestions Wanted: My three desktops, all vertical standing, had about one inch (2 1/2 cm) salt water in them before I could get them off the floor. Since they were off (and power had gone out about half an hour earlier) nothing was immediately fried. Any experience or suggestion on trying to retreive them alive? I'm planning to rinse the with plain water and letting the dry. Then, it's power up (and watching the pretty sparks and clouds of smoke). Some external USB drives did the teabag trick - I plan to open, inspect, rinse and dry if needed, and use USB dock to read drives. With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before.

                                    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                    "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

                                    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                    K Offline
                                    K Offline
                                    Keith Barrow
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #23

                                    Just to add to what others have said, I vaguely remember using de-ionised water is safer, but I've never had to try.

                                    Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
                                    -Or-
                                    A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^]

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

                                      If rice works I wonder if Kitty litter would work? It's super absorbent and is used on driveways and shops to absorb oil on the floor, as well as other places.

                                      VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.0 ToDo Manager Extension
                                      Version 3.0 now available. There is no place like 127.0.0.1

                                      G Offline
                                      G Offline
                                      Gary Wheeler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #24

                                      Unfortunately most kitty litter is made of clay. It would absorb the water, bond to itself nicely, and do a very convincing imitation of concrete covering your motherboard. This is not to mention the dust from the litter.

                                      Software Zen: delete this;

                                      Mike HankeyM 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • G Gary Wheeler

                                        Unfortunately most kitty litter is made of clay. It would absorb the water, bond to itself nicely, and do a very convincing imitation of concrete covering your motherboard. This is not to mention the dust from the litter.

                                        Software Zen: delete this;

                                        Mike HankeyM Offline
                                        Mike HankeyM Offline
                                        Mike Hankey
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #25

                                        Gary Wheeler wrote:

                                        Unfortunately most kitty litter is made of clay. It would absorb the water, bond to itself nicely, and do a very convincing imitation of concrete covering your motherboard.

                                        Good point hadn't thought of that.

                                        VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.0 ToDo Manager Extension
                                        Version 3.0 now available. There is no place like 127.0.0.1

                                        G 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • L lewax00

                                          I've heard Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol are good for cleaning electrical components, plus rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly so drying doesn't take long. I've personally used alcohol wipes to clean CPUs when changing their cooling accessories, all worked fine after, but I wasn't cleaning parts that are meant to carry signals.

                                          W Offline
                                          W Offline
                                          W Balboos GHB
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #26

                                          Caveat: this was sea-water - salt makes the potential for a fry very high.

                                          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                          "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

                                          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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