A few drops of rainwater on laptop...won't boot

[crimsonjade]

I bought this:
1x Sager NP8690 (Built on Clevo W860CU) Custom Gaming Laptop
- Display: 15.6” HD+ 16:9 LED Backlit Wide
- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM, 1.60-2.80
- Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 280M 1,024MB
- External Graphics Card: No External Graphics Card
- External Monitor Video Adapter: No Video Adapter
- Ram: ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Chan
- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish
- Optical Drive: ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 3
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive
- Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 530
- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- TV Tuner: No TV Tuner
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Incl
- Battery: 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery p
- Car Adapter: No Car Adapter
- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard*
- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapter: No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: No External Keyboard or Mouse
- Notebook Cooler: No Notebook Cooler
- Operating System: ~Windows Vista Business 64-Bit I
- Microsoft Office Software (Media: No Office Software
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): No Software Bundle
- Warranty: 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty

Last year in October, parts were shipped in November, I believe.
However, I was caught out in the rain yesterday and a couple of drops got into my backpack. The outside of the bag was drenched, but the majority of the laptop seemed fine. In fact it didn’t look too wet. However, when I tried to turn it on, it wouldn’t turn on (lights on, no HD lights, nothing boots). I’m not sure if water managed to get in there (just a couple drops?) and I have never opened up a laptop before. I have it drying (keyboard down) with batteries out, power cord out, and not sure what to do next. Please assist, thank you.

[Maverick494]

I bought this:
1x Sager NP8690 (Built on Clevo W860CU) Custom Gaming Laptop
- Display: 15.6” HD+ 16:9 LED Backlit Wide
- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM, 1.60-2.80
- Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 280M 1,024MB
- External Graphics Card: No External Graphics Card
- External Monitor Video Adapter: No Video Adapter
- Ram: ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Chan
- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish
- Optical Drive: ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 3
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive
- Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 530
- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- TV Tuner: No TV Tuner
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Incl
- Battery: 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery p
- Car Adapter: No Car Adapter
- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard*
- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapter: No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: No External Keyboard or Mouse
- Notebook Cooler: No Notebook Cooler
- Operating System: ~Windows Vista Business 64-Bit I
- Microsoft Office Software (Media: No Office Software
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): No Software Bundle
- Warranty: 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty

Last year in October, parts were shipped in November, I believe.
However, I was caught out in the rain yesterday and a couple of drops got into my backpack. The outside of the bag was drenched, but the majority of the laptop seemed fine. In fact it didn’t look too wet. However, when I tried to turn it on, it wouldn’t turn on (lights on, no HD lights, nothing boots). I’m not sure if water managed to get in there (just a couple drops?) and I have never opened up a laptop before. I have it drying (keyboard down) with batteries out, power cord out, and not sure what to do next. Please assist, thank you.

First you need to take the back of the laptop off, it is a tight fit and if water did get into it then it can be caught in the tight spaces between components and the case. Second you need to smell, yes smell, the laptop very close up and see if it smells like a burnt electronics smell.

Next I would take some canned air and blow out the laptop. At this point you really don't know how much water went into it, you bag was completely drenched which means that more water than you think could've gotten into the machine.

[crimsonjade]

Well, only the outside was drenched, and a few drops went in. At least that's how it looked. I'm new to opening laptops and would like to back up my hd first. Is it pretty universal for Sagers? Any tips? I don't want to break screws, etc. Thanks! Unfortunately for me, that day was the wettest summer rain we've had in 5 yrs. Of all the luck! Also, if I get the hd out, I can't just plug it into my comp as with usual drives can I? Or do I need a special enclosure? My Sager's on Windows 7, my desktop is still XP.

[powerpack]

If not comfortable opening up what you are doing now is fine. It really only means might take a little more time. I like Mav's suggestion to smell. Try that even if you do not open it up.

Try and start it up this afternoon.

[Cortez]

There was probably high humidity within the bag. I would remove the battery and place the laptop atop a warm dry flat surface and let dry out a few days. I once jumped in the pool with my cell phone and tried this and it worked. I placed the cell phone on top of the computer monitor and let it dry out a few days. Hope this helps.

[Maverick494]

Well, only the outside was drenched, and a few drops went in. At least that's how it looked. I'm new to opening laptops and would like to back up my hd first. Is it pretty universal for Sagers? Any tips? I don't want to break screws, etc. Thanks! Unfortunately for me, that day was the wettest summer rain we've had in 5 yrs. Of all the luck! Also, if I get the hd out, I can't just plug it into my comp as with usual drives can I? Or do I need a special enclosure? My Sager's on Windows 7, my desktop is still XP.

How are you going to back up a hard drive from a computer that won't turn on? For that matter why do you think taking the laptop apart will have any effect on the hard drive? There is no reason for it to. You can and will have to remove the hard drive when you take the bottom off the laptop.

There are like 10 screws plus the hard drive that have to come out and then voila the bottom comes off.

[crimsonjade]

Thanks for all the replies! Will try today. Also, Maverick, sorry, I didn't mean that I thought it'd affect the hard drive any, just that it's the first thing I'd want to do before opening (backing up). So the only thing I was afraid of affecting the hard drive would be me klutzing out while opening the bottom in the first place >__<" I was told that there are enclosures small enough for those hds to fit in...although that might be a bit of a stretch. Anywho, thanks again!

[powerpack]

You can buy an enclosure they cost like $15 and up. That makes it an external should you need to recover data if system is fried.

I have a good gut feeling on your system from the way you describe. I spilled a beer on my last notebook the first weekend I had. On the keyboard no less. It shutdown. Would not boot, 3 hours later worked fine. Still works fine 2+ years later.

[crimsonjade]

Well, got it cleaned out and such, no burning smell whatsoever. However, when trying to boot, there was no response from the HD. Except when I popped it into my desktop, I'm able to access my files. Currently backing up as I type. What should I do next?? The Sager will get to initial boot screen, and then it sits there with a black screen and a blinking line (sorta like the old ms-dos screens waiting for input).

[Maverick494]

Well, got it cleaned out and such, no burning smell whatsoever. However, when trying to boot, there was no response from the HD. Except when I popped it into my desktop, I'm able to access my files. Currently backing up as I type. What should I do next?? The Sager will get to initial boot screen, and then it sits there with a black screen and a blinking line (sorta like the old ms-dos screens waiting for input).

sounds like you have another hardware issue. It could be RAM, pull it out and replace it. If that doesn't work return the RAM. From there it is more than likely a motherboard issue since it will boot, which pretty much means it isn't the CPU.

[powerpack]

Just to be overly clear remove and re-seat the the RAM even going down to one DIMM at a time if two has issues.

[Maverick494]

Just to be overly clear remove and re-seat the the RAM even going down to one DIMM at a time if two has issues.

I literally ment go and get some new ram to try. then if that isn't the issue return it to where you bought it from and tell them it didn't work with your laptop. Should be able to do that within an hour or so.

[powerpack]

I literally ment go and get some new ram to try. then if that isn't the issue return it to where you bought it from and tell them it didn't work with your laptop. Should be able to do that within an hour or so.I am so commando, work with what you got. Not that I disagree with you I just start well small scale. And if mine did not work I would end up where you said. Not really more than an alternate suggestion.

But yea a little shocked you said. Removal and re-seat of one or all is the minimal approach.

[crimsonjade]

going to see if either trying out maverick's idea is more $$ effective or calling the big guns...already tried using what I currently have =/ No change.