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MacBook + Beer = OH S**T!!!!!!!

M

maestrocasa

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 16, 2007
200
0
Somewhere on the Buffalo National River
Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!
 
I'll be reassuring and say that you'll be 99% you'll be fine maestrocasa. I spilled a heap of beer on my Powerbook G4 and did exactly what you did and it all turned out fine (although the new keyboards might admit a bit more liquid). A guy at work did the same thing last week with his blackbook. I'd just make sure that it's 100% dry (I waited an agonising 48 hours) before switching her back on. I think the only thing pulling it apart will achieve is helping you access how much beer is in there and perhaps helping it dry more quickly.
Good luck.

p.s. you should also drink import. Asahi is actually good for you mac.
 
Unfortunately, beer is not water. And it contains lots of sugar and everything in between. The contacts under the keypad and whatever else it seeped into are going to be coated with sticky crap. It may work after, but it needs to be cleaned.
 
Be glad it wasn't Smirnoff Ice or something like that. That my friend... That is sticky stuff! ;)

It's 4:50 AM here in Denmark, so don't pay attention to my post. I'm quite drunk(have been drinking al sorts of "import" beer all night :D )
 
Maybe water proof MacBooks should be next.. I mean there is at least 1 post per week about some1 spilling something on there MacBook.. Camo water proof macbooks!!! I'm gonna start a thread and rumor!! :D
 
overcast said:
Unfortunately, beer is not water. And it contains lots of sugar and everything in between. The contacts under the keypad and whatever else it seeped into are going to be coated with sticky crap. It may work after, but it needs to be cleaned.
Click to expand...


Just shove a straw under the spacebar. You've now got yourself a computer that can ferment fresh beer (though it may taste funky - but who cares).

Now, you can take a sip of nice warm beer every other line or so (if it doesn't ferment fast enough, just add more).

Welcome to the club of Apple Mac Fermenters.

A portable beer fermenter. What more could you ask for :D
 
Um, my friend spilled beer onto her macbook.

It still worked perfectly afterwards except for one BIG problem

All the keys were sticky. Underneath I mean.

So everytime she pressed a button they would stick a little bit.

Drove her crazy.

Definately try and clean it out if you can.
 
dap1215 said:
Maybe water proof MacBooks should be next.. I mean there is at least 1 post per week about some1 spilling something on there MacBook.. Camo water proof macbooks!!! I'm gonna start a thread and rumor!! :D
Click to expand...

camo and waterproof? sign me up now. couple it with a high powered wireless transmitter and GPS, and I could sit in my tree stand and call-in missle attacks during deer season. way cooler than using a rifle or bow!!:D!!

It's only been 12 hours, so I'm not going to start the MB yet. I don't know if I can stand to wait until monday night! sure hope it's ok. If it's sticky, I guess I'll take it in for a cleaning. Any idea on how much that might cost?? I sure hope I don't have to replace her machine. I blew all my money on my MBP!
 
If the battery is out of it, fill the bathtub with water, and completely submerge the macbook in water and swish it around for a few minutes. Then let it dry for about 4 weeks. No sticky beer inside.
 
Ugh! that reminds me of the day I got a very nice SLR camera, only to have someone spill an entire Mountain Dew onto it. I hadn't even loaded the film yet. It never did work quite right, even after having it cleaned :mad:
 
.Andy said:
I'll be reassuring and say that you'll be 99% you'll be fine maestrocasa. I spilled a heap of beer on my Powerbook G4 and did exactly what you did and it all turned out fine (although the new keyboards might admit a bit more liquid).
Click to expand...


My powerbook g4 actually drank more coffee than I did on a regular basis. Never a problem..it usually just drained out the vents. However, my first blackbook had just a dribble spilled and whammo instant death. These 2 systems arent comparable durability wise in my opinion.
 
Step 1: Get in Car
Step 2: Go to nearest Apple Store
Step 3: Find equivalent product
Step 4: Wander store for "I'm sorry I didn't love your mac enough to give it protection before taking it for a drink" extras
Step 5: Fish out your wallet....

Oh.. and next time you want to buy the macbook a drink... make sure it has a n iSkin keyboard cover... something is better than nothing.
 
maestrocasa said:
Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!
Click to expand...


Note to self...

Put Macbook Pro away before having weekend cocktails.
 
maestrocasa said:
Ok, so I'm reaching over and spill beer on my girlfriend's new black MacBook! It mostly landed on the palmrest and trackpad, but some hit the keyboard too. We immediately unplugged it, pulled the battery, and laid it upside down on some towels. It doesn't seem like too much spilled, and there's no beer running out from the keyboard. So, NOW WHAT???? :(:(
*Do I wait a day or two for everything to dry and then start it back up?
*Do I take it to a repair center and have them open and clean it?
*Do I dare to open it up myself? I have some laptop hardware experience and tools (I've done memory, harddrive, and optical upgrades on my old PBG4)
*Once it's open, then what? can I clean the inside of the keyboard and maybe motherboard too? with what?
*does it matter what kind of beer it was? Kind of a mid-grade domestic (AmberBock). Would it be different if it was an import?

Please tell me what to do quick!!!
Click to expand...

I'd give a call to my home insurance to check whether it is covered, and I'd call Apple for advice what to do.
 
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