[kennedy]

My daughter dumped a glass of Creme de Menthe into my wife's PB12 keyboard... the sticky stuff was running out the bottom. I shut down the machine and turned it over and tried to get all the fluid to come back out.

Anyway, both the Apple Store and an Apple service place recommended not bothering to spend the $250 to clean it out... the computer is toast, they say.

Thoughts? Any chance the PB can be saved?

If not, any parts that can be salvaged to reduce the utter loss?

Advice?

Thanks.

[f1000]

I assume that you've already unplugged the machine. Take out the battery and prepare to disassemble your PowerBook. I see no reason why you can't wash out your PowerBook with water IF you dry all the parts quickly.

I'd also remove any internal batteries and let all capacitors discharge before actually dunking individual electronic components in water.

Was the computer still working when you shut it off?

[kennedy]

Originally posted by f1000:
Was the computer still working when you shut it off?

Yes... it shutdown for me properly. I unplugged it. Turned it over hoping it would drain back out the keyboard. Pulled the battery and dried out the battery bay.

I then took it, disturbing it as little as possible to the Mac shop to have them pull the drive and hopefully recover the data... fortunately, the drive does not seem to have been impacted. However, they said the internals of the computer were thoroughly coated in green.

So, should I bother having it professionally cleaned despite the advice from the Pros saying its toast? Or given my AppleCare is now pointless, should I disassemble it myself, clean it myself, and pray?

Thoughts? Any salvage value on eBay?

[macplus]

Kennedy, there's no reason you can't pull the case and clean it yourself, but be sure to use plenty of DISTILLED water and blow dry with warm air. Towels (including paper) can create static electricity and zap your ICs, and regular water will leave deposits on component legs and lead to future problems.

[kennedy]

Distilled water doesn't really dissolve the Creme de Menthe. I assume I don't want to be rubbing it off with anything that might generate static.

Another source has recommended rubbing alcohol as better than distilled water, since the rubbing alcohol will evaporate quicker. The rubbing alcohol may also do better at dissolving the goo.

Thoughts? Issues with rubbing alcohol? Anything safe to rub the goo off with?

[f1000]

If water doesn't work, try adding a little ethanol to the mix. Be aware, though, that alcohol and decorative plastic trim don't mix well.

As long as the towel is damp, I doubt there'll be much static to worry about.

[jamil5454]

Since your PB is already screwed, why not take the risk to open it up? Chances are that you'll get it running again.