FX 7811 Spilled drink - No power - Courses of action?

Dog knocked over a glass of juice on my FX 7811 while I was out grabbing something from the store. The computer had been on - when I returned it was off - the power & batt still plugged in but showing no charge LED.

I have dis-assembled the laptop completely and cleaned everything with a toothbrush and alcohol. There appears to be no corrosion or burn marks anywhere on the mobo or other components

I let that dry and tried plugging the power back in with the computer still apart (just the power center / mobo / keb / media bar loose but connected) and have been unable to achieve a charging/power LED or power on.

At this point I figure there's (at least) 1 of 3 problems - if not more

1) the power supply cord - which does have a green light - was damaged during the spill and needs to be replaced. Likelihood - Low

2) the power small power board (dont know the official name for it) where the power plug goes into may need to be replaced. Likelihood - Medium

3) the motherboard needs to be replaced. Likelihood - Medium/High

While I am comfortable taking apart and replacing anything, it's not something I've necessarily done before. I upgraded the CPU about a year ago but have never had it dismantled down this far.

In my research I noticed people talking about reflowing (baking) the motherboard to relock the solders - would this be an option to fix a spill problem?

Also, is there any way to test the motherboard & small power board before just buying one? I'd hate to drop $20 on that small power board to only find out it was fine, same with $100 on the mobo. I'm going to multi-meter my power brick when I get home which should resolve that question.

Are there any other possibilities that I am missing here?

The computer should show charging and be able to boot while separated correct? I did not re-attach the fans or LCD screen as I just want confirmation of power before I diagnose any other problems that may pop up (like replacing the keyboard which I'll probably have to do)

Thanks for your help

 

What did the liquid spill on, the keyboard or power brick etc..

 

It spilled on the keyboard portion

 

I am leaning toward the Board taking the hit of the static shock after the keyboard. Put this way the computer on spill on keyboard and the power surge goes back to the board and take out the board that would indicate you get no lights or charge indicators. Try this hold down the power button and see if it boots and if it doesn't then that means the boards along with keyboard most likely took some pretty damage from the spill. I know a friend spilled orange juice on their keyboard and the computer even after I rubbing alcohol cleaned all the board and keyboard then power up and shut off immediately. That to me was a big indicator the board and keyboard are pretty well gone for that laptop usage. And unless you have another board to test and compare your most likely looking at replacing the board and keyboard and hopefully your touch-pad didn't get damage in the process as well. As for your CPU that kinda shock might have damage it as well. It may look like only the keyboard but considering it was one it most likely cascade the damage to the complete laptop now if it was off there would be chance to save it but with it on your chances are very low that the board survived as well.

 

Right, the spill could have taken the main board along with the daughter boards and attachments like the keyboard and touchpad. All according to the amount of saturation it could have taken the CPU, Ram and even the HDD's. You could easily spend more than the system is worth in fixing it.

 

Proper dry time before attempted power on needs to be at least 48 - 72hrs. If you tried to power up in less than that then you actually run the risk of damaging something but odds's are is is fried.

The luckiest you can get during a spill is to be there and fast as hell yank the power cord, unplug the battery and start dis-assembly and cleaning ASAP and allow the proper 48-72 hours before reassembly and power on. Thats what happened to a GF's Compal HEL80 in 2008 when I was lucky to be in the house when her daughter spilled a soda and I was able to remove all power before the machine shorted out thankfully and after 3 days of dry time the machine powered right up without issue.

The reason for the long wait after cleaning is alcohol is thinner than water and while it will dry faster, it will also get into crevices where airflow cannot reach it which is why you need to allow proper drying time to make sure all fluids dry up.

 

And if all else fails, try to salvage the hard drive if possible, If computer is truly dead then take the HD out and maybe you are experienced enough to recover your data by putting it in an external inclosure and hooking it up to your next computer to recover your stuff. Lots of online guides if you are not experienced.

 

First replace the small power board where the power cable plugs into. The small IC usually shorts and burns. Next on the list is the Multimedia Bar as the small IC by the power button usually goes. I replaced the MB on mine after the power board and the culprit was the MM bar.