Yucky keyboard problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 29
From: Cyberspace
Yucky keyboard problem
My 3-year old has been suffering with Swine Flu and unfortunately projectile vomited over my laptop. Whilst it was pretty watery and I drained it straight away, I have a few non-working & sticky keys now. Is there anything I can flush it out with that won't cause short circuits or lasting damage ?
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 565
Likes: 21
From: Passed away on Sept 6th
Depends on the model. However, the three or four different models I've looked at in the past year all had a couple of screws holding the keyboard in after removing battery & other stuff behind little doors underneath the machine. Try to download the maintenance manual, and you will see the right things to disconnect. Then carefully remove the yuck.
Never removed vomit from keyboard... beer a couple of times - waste of a pint.
Never removed vomit from keyboard... beer a couple of times - waste of a pint.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
Get a couple of cans of electrical contact cleaner. Or cans of deodorant have been used successfully in the past.
Take the battery off and if you can lift the keyboard out. Then give it a right good spray. Then hoover off and do it again.
Leave for an hour to dry and every 10 mins press every key properly don't just brush them all with the flat of your hand.
Take the battery off and if you can lift the keyboard out. Then give it a right good spray. Then hoover off and do it again.
Leave for an hour to dry and every 10 mins press every key properly don't just brush them all with the flat of your hand.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 15
From: Wellington,NZ
You could try wiping a tincture made from star anise over the keyboard. Rumour has it that it's supposed to help with swine flu symptoms.
(The highly - processed and expensive version can be bought over the counter as Tamiflu.)
But seriously, I've had the keyboard on mine apart a couple of times for routine cleaning, just keep track of where everything goes (digital camera is helpful here, if it's at all complicated) and it's pretty easy.
Never had to clean puke from sticky keys, though. I'm sure there are better ways to mess up a keyboard.
You should maybe use something gently alkaline to help neutralize the barf acids.
(The highly - processed and expensive version can be bought over the counter as Tamiflu.)
But seriously, I've had the keyboard on mine apart a couple of times for routine cleaning, just keep track of where everything goes (digital camera is helpful here, if it's at all complicated) and it's pretty easy.
Never had to clean puke from sticky keys, though. I'm sure there are better ways to mess up a keyboard.
You should maybe use something gently alkaline to help neutralize the barf acids.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Middlesbrough U.K.
I haven't seen any laptop computers in Tesco for underr £20!
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How about a new laptop via your household insurance? My nephew got one when his daughter spilled orange juice on his laptop.
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How about a new laptop via your household insurance? My nephew got one when his daughter spilled orange juice on his laptop.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 29
From: Cyberspace
Suspect the laptop is not long for this world anyway so think I'll try the contact cleaner or deodorant (whch particular version of Lynx ?) and if it ends in tears we'll go shopping for new.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 277
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From: Baltimore, MD
Unplug it, open it all up, and wash it out with water - only water no soap etc. No scrubbing of delicate internal parts.
Just make sure it's COMPLETELY dry before plugging it in. Reassembly would help too.
Just make sure it's COMPLETELY dry before plugging it in. Reassembly would help too.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
There is a knack of getting them back on. Get the key and work out which way round it goes and make sure that everything is located properly to the key.
Then get your better half to turn the laptop upside down and hold tight and then firmly push up to locate the key.
If they are half on half off get a jewellers screwdriver and ease them off completely its virtually impossible to get them back on without breaking one of the wee plastic lugs.
I presume you used the squirty straw attachment to jet blast under them.
Then get your better half to turn the laptop upside down and hold tight and then firmly push up to locate the key.
If they are half on half off get a jewellers screwdriver and ease them off completely its virtually impossible to get them back on without breaking one of the wee plastic lugs.
I presume you used the squirty straw attachment to jet blast under them.
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