My M17x R2 almost died today...

I was working at my wife's office and took a drink of water (which was two feet away from the computer). However I dropped the water bottle and while picking it up a small amount of water leaked onto the lower left hand side next to the touch pad.

I turned the computer over to make sure that no water had gotten into the insides, very little leaked out. However when I went back to working on the laptop it shutdown, the alien head start button was still lit blue so I tried to restart it but it died.

After removing the battery and the power source I pressed the power button for ten seconds, then reconnected the battery and the power cord and still no blue light or turning on of the computer, it was effectively dead. The battery had a full charge.

Then I went about taking apart the computer on the bottom side looking for water or anything else unusual, but found nothing. Shortly thereafter I drove my wife to get her nails done while I drove home and called Dell. Dell tried to have me extend my warranty which is not due to expire until December and then put me on hold for 45 minutes. I had to hang up and go pick up my wife but while on hold with Dell I used a blow dryer to see if that would help in-case there was any water in the system. Tried the power button again and still nothing.

I went to pick up my wife and returned home about 35 minutes later. Just for the heck of it I tried the power button again, and "Voila" it booted up and has worked all night.

Do you have any idea what happened and why it is now working? Do I have anything else to be concerned about? Should I shut it down and and not use it for 24 hours as my friend has advised me? I am kind of nervous to turn it off... what do you think? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

NEVER power back a system when in contact with liquids, they won't just evaporate, it may harm some components. As soon as possible remove the power cord, battery AND do a power drain.

Next time and even now, after doing the above, take it apart and wash the components with alcohol (70 ° or 90°), dry it or let it dry for a few hours. Put it back and everything should be fine.

 

Better advice:

(katalin was right about not turning it on)

Simply leave it in your hotpress (airing cupboard? I'm not sure what North Americans call it) over night, to let it dry out.

You can throw a bucket of water over the laptop, and (assuming clean water) as long as it's not on during all this, as long as it's dried out properly it'll be fine.