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Suggestions Wanted:
My three desktops, all vertical standing, had about one inch (2 1/2 cm) salt water in them before I could get them off the floor. Since they were off (and power had gone out about half an hour earlier) nothing was immediately fried.
Any experience or suggestion on trying to retreive them alive? I'm planning to rinse the with plain water and letting the dry. Then, it's power up (and watching the pretty sparks and clouds of smoke).
Some external USB drives did the teabag trick - I plan to open, inspect, rinse and dry if needed, and use USB dock to read drives.
With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: With 9.4 million registrants, someone must have tried this before
Yep, I did exactly that and everything fried. 
But this is probably not the answer you expected. 
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus
Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
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This is the lounge.
I always expect the unexpected.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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On a serious note, the option "Wash it with water and let it dry" should be OK. I would use a wet towel (do not spray or flood the computer directly).
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus
Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
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The reason I was considering a rinse (vs your wipe-down) is to flush under board components, as well. Wiping will certainly take care of the solder side.
This would be a good time for components to have gold connectors.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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What sort of components were affected?
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Primarily the lower end of the MoBo, when mounted so the ports are considered the high end. There may be some connectors at the bottom for USB, audio, etc.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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I've heard Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol are good for cleaning electrical components, plus rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly so drying doesn't take long. I've personally used alcohol wipes to clean CPUs when changing their cooling accessories, all worked fine after, but I wasn't cleaning parts that are meant to carry signals.
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I second the alcohol... we use it at work for cleaning components...
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Albert Holguin wrote: alcohol..
... so versatile ...
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...and the more of it you drink, the more versatile you become...
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Caveat: this was sea-water - salt makes the potential for a fry very high.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Rice.
Open them up cleanse with fresh water, towel dry and pour rice over them boards.
It is a desiccant and will absorb all moisture.
I have done it with mobile phones before now.
(Remember, dried rice, not tinned rice pudding!)
After a day or so clear off the rice and wipe down.
Should be ok.
---------------------------------
I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
CCC Link[ ^]
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Oddly enough, I've much rice at home (probably dry, too).
Depending upon the situation, I might stop with a good rince-and-towel-down: the time frame for having internet is not promising. Followed week or so in a sunny window.
The rice might be a good idea for the USB HDD cases. They're small enough to be covered and enclosed in an airtight plastic box, acting as a desiccator.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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If it does heat up and burn, you'll have a very tasty computer with alcohol and rice. Add some meat on there for good measure.
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If rice works I wonder if Kitty litter would work? It's super absorbent and is used on driveways and shops to absorb oil on the floor, as well as other places.
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Probably, but I would advise using FRESH kitty litter!
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I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
CCC Link[ ^]
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Dalek Dave wrote: Probably, but I would advise using FRESH kitty litter!
That would probably be best, but I'll sell some used real cheap.
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Unfortunately most kitty litter is made of clay. It would absorb the water, bond to itself nicely, and do a very convincing imitation of concrete covering your motherboard.
This is not to mention the dust from the litter.
Software Zen: delete this;
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Gary Wheeler wrote: Unfortunately most kitty litter is made of clay. It would absorb the water, bond to itself nicely, and do a very convincing imitation of concrete covering your motherboard.
Good point hadn't thought of that.
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An unfortunate byproduct of the being the client of a number of felines over the years is an appalling familiarity with the properties of kitty litter.
Software Zen: delete this;
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Rice is good for drying, but it won't take care of any thing left behind by the salt water.
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You might try rinsing it with de-ionized water not regular water, it is regularly used for washing PCB boards.
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That or distilled. The problem is going to be the salt.
Charlie Gilley
<italic>You're going to tell me what I want to know, or I'm going to beat you to death in your own house.
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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DD said rice, along those lines, I recommend silica. I'm really sorry to hear this. Were they on the ground?
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