[Powerbook] Cleaning laptop keyboards...

ege02

Several months ago I spilled Coke on my Powerbook. I immediately turned it off and turned it upside down, but the keyboard became sticky as hell.

I took it to the Apple Store I got it from for a diagnostics. They said it would cost me 550 bucks to replace the keyboard, and further said that "it turns out the internal logic board is damaged and also needs to be changed, which will cost you another 650 dollars for a total of 1200 bucks".

I basically told them to go fuck themselves.

Anyway, I was doing fine without a laptop. But, the weather is getting nice and I have this urge to sit under the trees on campus to get my work done.

Thing is, I think they were bullshitting me about the logic board. I mean, the laptop works fine. I am able to watch movies and surf the net on it no problem. The only problem is the super-sticky keyboard, which makes it difficult to type stuff (the spacebar practically doesn't work).

Is there anything I can do to fix it? If not, where can I get a cheap replacement and how do I install it?

Prophetavius V

Good call on telling them to fuck off, those Apple stores are basically run by crooks and thugs who try to sell you average software for criminally high prices under the guise of being hip and trendy.



But unfortunately, since we have now burned that bridge the only option is to take it apart yourself and try to clean off the parts. What I would do is probably mix 50% alcohol into a bottle of water and clean off the keys. I mean, they can't possibly be too complicated, they're fucking keys and I've taken apart and cleaned many keyboards before. This should probably eliminate the sticky ness.

But while you're there, check out the logic board and see if it's really ok. Make sure theres no greenish looking junk gathering up. IF you see that it is possibly dirty, you may be able to clean it off with distilled water. Distilled water is pretty safe, since it's deionized you can actually run an entire computer inside a tank of distilled water, if only it weren't for the rust that builds up over time (thats why you'd have to use some kind of oil, not water)


If you faint at the sight of circuit boards and crap though I probably would just give up and take it in to someone who does this for a living. Good opportunity though to learn about the Powerbook insides.

Prophetavius V

*except for the hard drive and PSU

dotcomse

Prophetavius V wrote: »

Distilled water is pretty safe, since it's deionized you can actually run an entire computer inside a tank of distilled water, if only it weren't for the rust that builds up over time (thats why you'd have to use some kind of oil, not water)

How would it rust? Rust accumulation requires oxygen. That's why you see rust lines on bridge supports around the water line, but not under it. What's the catch here?

Hallucinogen

You don't need to replace anything. Go to a repair site such as iFixit.com or something where there are tutorials on taking things apart. All you need to do is remove the keys and clean them and the switches underneath with a little rubbing/isopropyl alcohol. Try to avoid using your computer until you get around to it, and get around to it sooner rather than later. The sugar and water from the drink will eventualy cause corrosion. As for immediate damage, your computer wouldn't be working properly if the drink had shorted anything, the people at the Apple store that said anything needed replacing are just being dolts.

Make absolutely certain the power supply is disconnected and the battery is removed from the powerbook before doing anything, and make absolutely certain everything is dry and cleaned before putting it back together and turning it on. If you want to be certain you don't get corrosion on the logic board's circuits or any other components, you will need to take the computer apart, not just remove the keys(if the drink actually got that far into the case). If you do decide to remove the keys youself, be very careful not to damage the key or switches, they aren't cheap to replace. There are sites that sell keys and entire key sets for much less than the Apple rep quoted you if you do, though. If you decide to take apart the powerbook, good luck and be careful, record what goes where etc. Laptops are more trouble to disassembly and reassemble than desktops due to how tight a fit everything is. I don't remember for sure, but removing the keyboard swicthes themselves may require removing the heatsink from the cpu, in which case you'll need to carefully remove the old thermal paste and apply new paste.

This may be going a little over some people's heads. Attempt any of these things at your own risk. Safest thing I can suggest is just removing the keys and cleaning them and the switches, that will solve the sticky keys, but there's no gurantee the pop hasn't gotten to the internal components and won't corrode anything.

And, I know this is obvious, but DO NOT use water or soap or anything but rubbing alcohol, and don't use a lot, only enough to dissolve and wipe away the sticky pop. It won't cause damage, it just evaporates, but the less you use, the less the pop will get spread around.

Disassembly Guide:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/

Key removal guide:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88106

Key and switch replacements:

http://www.pbparts.com/shop/akbp.html
http://www.pbparts.com/shop/as.html

ege02

Well, I spilled the coke on the laptop in January, so I'm assuming if it was going to corrode something, it would have done it by now.

Hallucinogen

You'd be surprised. I say better safe than sorry, but it's your call.

Prophetavius V

dotcomse wrote: »

Prophetavius V wrote: »

Distilled water is pretty safe, since it's deionized you can actually run an entire computer inside a tank of distilled water, if only it weren't for the rust that builds up over time (thats why you'd have to use some kind of oil, not water)

How would it rust? Rust accumulation requires oxygen. That's why you see rust lines on bridge supports around the water line, but not under it. What's the catch here?

Bubbles.

The Savior

Just be aware that if you take the keys off and on too many times, they can get loose and will come off easier. Just so you know.

Uncle Long

I don't know if the powerbook is the same as the ibook but you should be able to take your entire key board off fairly easily. Do this and set it away from the powerbook proper. WD-40, if you have it, is great at getting shit out of and off of plastic surfaces. It's what I use to clean off the plastic on my ibook and the keyboard when it starts getting the finger/backpack dirt. The keyboard is pretty well sealed by that rubber barrier so so long as it is not in direct contact with your laptop you shouldn't have too many technical problems and the WD-40 will cut pretty well through the coke stick.