Pass the Salt, please
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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
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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
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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.
I second the alcohol... we use it at work for cleaning components...
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You might try rinsing it with de-ionized water not regular water, it is regularly used for washing PCB boards.
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
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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
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DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?
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
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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[^]
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 -
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
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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.
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
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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 -
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 -
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[^]
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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
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[^] -
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 127.0.0.1Unfortunately 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; -
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;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 -
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.
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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I second the alcohol... we use it at work for cleaning components...
Albert Holguin wrote:
alcohol..
... so versatile ...
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DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?
Rice is a hell of a lot cheaper and more easily available, and you can eat it afterwards
==================================== Transvestites - Roberts in Disguise! ====================================
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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 127.0.0.1An unfortunate byproduct of the being the client of a number of felines over the years is an appalling familiarity with the properties of kitty litter.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?
Well - on my ground (only) floor. It eventually took on over a foot (30cm) of water - but the PC's were up on table and chairs well before that. Power strips were immersed. UPS's, oddly enough, chirped well into the night (having been lifted above the flood, as well. I suppose they might be OK, as well. Silica Gel is not so easy to get as rice.
"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
