Unicomp Spacesaver got spilled with water, repair possible?

User avatar
fireglow

11 Jun 2012, 21:46

Hey,

I managed to spill a glass of water over the desk today, the keyboard got a generous amount of water on, and sadly into it.
While it was connected to a running computer.
Now the right arrow key has ceased working.
I have no experience with water damage on keyboards, is it possible to fix?
Sending it in to repair is unfeasible, the shipping costs would be too high.
Is it worth opening the case and have a look inside?

Any help would be much appreciated!

User avatar
fossala
Elite +1

11 Jun 2012, 21:49

If you can bolt mod it, it may be worth to take a look inside to seed if any of the traces have got water in them. If it is the controller you should be able to order one of unicomp.

User avatar
fireglow

11 Jun 2012, 21:59

Okay, that sounds good, I'll go and buy a tool for opening those screws tomorrow.

roguemaster8

13 Jun 2012, 00:06

Exact same thing happened to me a few months ago and the same key ceased to function. Your best bet would be to order some new innards from Unicomp. They had me send mine in and charged me a repair fee of about $45.

I live stateside though, so for me it was probably considerably cheaper.

ripster

13 Jun 2012, 00:16

Here ya go, try this first, let it dry and you MIGHT be lucky!

http://www.overclock.net/t/1255538/help ... t_17215757

User avatar
captain

14 Jun 2012, 10:14

I have saved many wet electronics with high-test isopropyl alcohol (>90%!). It displaces the water, then evaporates quickly. BUT, it can also do further damage, so be careful. Good luck!

User avatar
Maarten

14 Jun 2012, 11:10

I love it when people i know throw water over their electronics. Two weeks ago my neighbor went swimming with his cellphone in his pocket, it ofc went bust and even when i offered to repair it he wouldnt have it and bought a new one. Luckily i could buy a new daughter-board ($13 shipped) so now i have myself an almost free LG Black with only a busted camera!!

So if you're unable to 'fix' your board feel free to send it to me ;)

User avatar
fireglow

14 Jun 2012, 17:09

roguemaster8, ripster, captain:
Thank you for your suggestions!

I am, however, still struggling to get the right tool, I've tried 5 mm and 6 mm, either too small or too big,
so next I'm going to try and order a 5,5 mm:
Image
(image courtesy of http://www.reichelt.de)

Do any of you remember what size fits those screws?

User avatar
RC-1140

14 Jun 2012, 17:30

yup, 5,5mm it is. 7/32" works as well, I have exactly the Screwdriver you posted and it is great for Model Ms.

ripster

14 Jun 2012, 19:47

Maarten wrote:I love it when people i know throw water over their electronics. Two weeks ago my neighbor went swimming with his cellphone in his pocket, it ofc went bust and even when i offered to repair it he wouldnt have it and bought a new one. Luckily i could buy a new daughter-board ($13 shipped) so now i have myself an almost free LG Black with only a busted camera!!

So if you're unable to 'fix' your board feel free to send it to me ;)

I can beat that. My Sansa Clip fell in the toilet while I was peeing but I fixed it...

Ewww......
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?1946 ... post373103

Fixed Image here:
Image

if ALL else fails Unicomp will replace the main module for like $30-$35.

Bolt Mod would as well.
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2961 ... ment-Guide

User avatar
kint

14 Jun 2012, 20:09

first action with fluid/electronic accidents:
hard unplug power instantly. Let consumer parts soak up the last bits of electricity in there (i.e. LEDs on keyboards) or remove that electricity still stored in capacitors by pushing the power buttons etc..
Open, remove all accumulated fluids ie by towel and /or shaking softly. In case of sticky fluid accident (coke etc..): Rinse with Isopropanol as captain suggested. otherwise just let it dry.
If there are ICs in there those can take ages to dry and they sometimes accumulate fluids under their body - hard to remove. Rinse with Isopropanol then too.
Let it dry at least some days, then try to plugin. In most cases the device will start working.
the problem is not the electronic parts + fluids, but electricity + fluids. :!:

ripster

14 Jun 2012, 20:30

No Isopropyl on Filcos.

Eats away the UV/Hardcoat.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title= ... al+Testing
Image

And EUROPEAN denatured Rubbing Alchohol (Methanol) is potentially MUCH worse. It starts affecting ALL ABS keys.
Image

User avatar
captain

15 Jun 2012, 03:14

ripster wrote: I can beat that. My Sansa Clip fell in the toilet while I was peeing but I fixed it...

I PEE what you did there.


(sorry. Just had to be written. ;-P)

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