Daughter spilt beer on laptop,HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[humbug0_2]

Hi there
Had a nightmare 2 nights ago daughter knocked glass of beer over me laptop it wasn't loads as most went onto carpet(another problem)
It mainly fell around keyboard region!
First thing i done was pull out plug and turn up side down.
By the time i wen to shut it down it had just died.
Only had battery light ullimainated.
Disconnected battery took out hard drive,memory,dvd drive and then keyboard after quickly finding out how on the net via desktop.
Noticed small wet patch sitting where ribbon type of cable sits.
Only thing is the cable that comes out of laptop is like a thin green plastic with numerous thin strips of copper in it which then pushes into the main computer rather like a ribbon cale.
I have left my laptop to dry out for the last 36hrs etc and then decided to put it all back together again.
Put all back this morning and it now boots up,only prob is screen not coming on plus keyboard doesn't seem to do nothing.
Maybe that's stopping the screen coming on.
Even if i press caps lock the light doesn't come on.
The laptop is a SonyVaio PCG GRT-895MP which is 5-6 years old but is a good laptop which is solely used for surfing the net.
I know the laptop isn't worth much but was just for some advice on what to do or try!
Have searched the net for spares and they are hard to come by.
Many thanks

[Analoguesat]

Ive taken a few broken laptops apart at work. Now Ive never dismantled a Sony but this may work for you.

Sounds like the keyboard cable isnt seated right on your computer.

The ones Ive seen have had a small very thin ribbon cable coming out of the back of the keyboard. This locates into a small socket on the motherboard - its normally fairly obvious where it goes. I had to slot it home then click down the locating catches on the side of the socket so they grip the end of the ribbon cable. A bit fiddly and a narrow bladed screwdriver comes in handy

You may need to rinse the keyboard in clean water - beer is quite sugary and will make the keys stick if any got under the keys.

[humbug0_2]

Originally Posted by Analoguesat

Ive taken a few broken laptops apart at work. Now Ive never dismantled a Sony but this may work for you.

Sounds like the keyboard cable isnt seated right on your computer.

The ones Ive seen have had a small very thin ribbon cable coming out of the back of the keyboard. This locates into a small socket on the motherboard - its normally fairly obvious where it goes. I had to slot it home then click down the locating catches on the side of the socket so they grip the end of the ribbon cable. A bit fiddly and a narrow bladed screwdriver comes in handy

You may need to rinse the keyboard in clean water - beer is quite sugary and will make the keys stick if any got under the keys.

The keyboard cable is just what you said.
Do i just push it in as far as it goes and then push down the connector.
Hard to see where the copper exactly makes connection on the computer.(can't see any bare copper).
I am also putting it in the right way as i marked what way round it goes.

[Analoguesat]

Yes - it will probably go in an eith of an inch or so, then you need four hands to hold the keyboard in place, hold the ribbon in place and manouever the screwdriver to click home the two grips

BTW - dont bother doing up all the keyboard screws each time you test it - it will fire up quite happily even with the keyboard loose, and it makes troubleshooting much easier!

[lambo]

before you put it back together brush around the connector points on the board with a soft brush (an old tooth brush works best) to remove those dried surger deposits from the beer.

[humbug0_2]

Originally Posted by lambo

before you put it back together brush around the connector points on the board with a soft brush (an old tooth brush works best) to remove those dried surger deposits from the beer.

Are you just talking about where the keyboard plugs in or everywhere.
If so i will have to fully dismantle the laptop as can only see certain parts once hard drive dvd drive were.

[humbug0_2]

Originally Posted by Analoguesat

Ive taken a few broken laptops apart at work. Now Ive never dismantled a Sony but this may work for you.

Sounds like the keyboard cable isnt seated right on your computer.

The ones Ive seen have had a small very thin ribbon cable coming out of the back of the keyboard. This locates into a small socket on the motherboard - its normally fairly obvious where it goes. I had to slot it home then click down the locating catches on the side of the socket so they grip the end of the ribbon cable. A bit fiddly and a narrow bladed screwdriver comes in handy

You may need to rinse the keyboard in clean water - beer is quite sugary and will make the keys stick if any got under the keys.

Have tried it 3/4 times now with no joy!
Is it poss that the liquid has completely knacked the keyboard.
Would completely cleaning it with water etc help it at all
Can't see how it makes contact with computer as can't see any visible copper on ribbon like cable?

[lambo]

i would completely strip it down liquid gets everywhere as you know, also take off the small board on the back of the keyboard and make sure its clean, most likley some of the caps on the main board are gone

[Analoguesat]

Unfortunately sounds as if its totally goosed. Laptops are not really user servicable. If theres a comnputer shop nearby go and have a talk with them - they may be able to at least get any important data off the hdd for you.

You may be able to flog it as spares/repair on fleabay but if its a few years old its not going to be worth spending huge amounts on trying to get it repaired - you can get decent new lappies fot under 300 quid these days.

[nibblitz]

Doubt you'll get much flooging it on ebay ot working, so before you give up all hope and chuck it in the bin, you could buy a cheap gallon of turps or white spirit for a few quid (proper stuff to use would be isopropynol, but you're not likely to get a gallon of that) drown your laptop in it for a couple of hours, but I'd leave the screen out from being immersed, or better still, remove the main board and just drown that. It'll stink, so best do it outdoors if you can.. Then allow it to dry out, put it back together, and try it..
:-)