Salvaging a drenched laptop

[WearyArgonaut]

My IBM ThinkPad 390E laptop got drenched with Gatorade. Please spare the lectures about laptops and liquids. I’ve learned that lesson in an indelible way. I’m looking for some advice on how to salvage the machine.<br>I sent the laptop to IBM. They said it was totaled and sent it back without fixing it. I am not a corporation that can just junk it and write it off. I can’t afford to lose this laptop. From my perspective, it seems to be working well enough so that it isn’t a total loss. The trackpoint doesn’t work all that well, but I’ve got a Logitech mouse connected through the USB port that is working just fine. I do have a major problem with the keyboard. <br>The keyboard is marginally functional. When I press some of the keys, I get two characters. I’ve tried plugging an external keyboard into it, but when I do so, it locks up on the boot. It is my understanding that Windows 98 only recognizes one keyboard. In the case of laptops with an attached keyboard, it ‘activates’ both the laptop and external keyboards and essentially handles them as the same device. How can I get this laptop to recognize the external keyboard and ignore the internal one? In the device manager, I’ve noticed two memory ranges allocated for the keyboard. Is one for the internal and the other for the external? Is serialkey an option?<br>I am using an ancient Hitachi laptop to key this message. <br>I would be most grateful for any assistance.<br>

 

[DaveGoTech]

If you want to save this laptop, your best bet is sending it to a qualified notebook<br>repair service. It should be dismantled, cleaned and any ruined parts replaced.<br>Gatorade is very sticky stuff and our experience has been that the machines<br>can usually be revived in this way, but the keyboard usually is never 100%<br>corrected.<br>The cost may vary from about $100 to $350, depending upon parts. <br>If you get stuck, you can contact us for repair. <p>David J. Aller<br><a href=mailto:GoTech@GoTechnologiesInc.com>GoTech@GoTechnologiesInc.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.GoTechnologiesInc.com>Business

Computer Systems & Networking Services</a><br> I try to share some of my knowledge and experience with others, and also have picked-up many<br>
tips from reading other postings.<br>
If you have any questions or comments, please email.

 

[Tarquine]

Ask yourself, was the machine on at the time you had the accident?&nbsp;&nbsp;If it was then you may have done some damage to a number of components.&nbsp;&nbsp;If it was off then you may be lucky.<br><br>I remember reading some where that if this ever happens you should attemp to wash it, carefully, in water with a soapy solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;Then rinse everything off in clean water.&nbsp;&nbsp;After this you should place items to be dried in a warm area to dry.&nbsp;&nbsp;Before attempting to use the said items ensure everything is totally dry.&nbsp;&nbsp;You may require a small paint brush to help with the cleaning.<br><br>If you should adopt this method then be it on <font color=red>YOUR OWN HEAD</font>.<br>Good Luck.<br><br>Regards<br><br>Tarquine <p> <br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href= > </a><br>I don't care what others say. It's only breathing that gets you through life

 

To tell you the truth if the machine is bootable then you might still be in luck. I would also suggest you getting it fixed by a laptop tech. I worked on some laptops and just dont like messing with them. Your keyboard is probally broken if you are getting double charecters and stuff like that. I was also thinking about the external keyboard and would suggest going into control panel and telling the computer that you are working from the external port. I have never did it but it would seem logical that its in the CMOS settings or in the control panel (keyboard). <br><br> <p>Malik<br><a href=mailto:king_malik@hotmail.com>king_malik@hotmail.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.underworldsounds.com>Underworldsounds..Music

Site...check it out!!!</a><br>

 

[WearyArgonaut]

<br>I have the ThinkPad working right now with an external keyboard. Took a wild guess and it seems to be working. When the laptop first boots, the default is to turn the NUMLOCK to 'ON' for the external keyboard. Although IBM doesn't explicitly say this, there is a weakness in their software for dealing with the NUMLOCK. I just make sure that I press the NUMLOCK key off the instant I see the NUMLOCK indicator come on in the boot and the rest goes swimmingly.<br>These ThinkPads are quirky, but they are nice once/if you get them dialed in.<br>Thanks

 

[Alt255]

The sticky keys may plague you until the end of time (or until entropy takes its toll). Tarquine had a pretty realistic suggestion (even cautioning about the possible negative side-effects).<br><br>I'm glad you found a way to boot the thing. If the problems persist, you may end up facing Tarquine's solution. <p> <br><a href=mailto:InterruptX@excite.com>InterruptX@excite.com</a><br><a href=

http://vorpalcom.netfirms.com>Retrofit

Contingency Implementation</a><br>Send me suggestions or comments on my current software project.

 

[WearyArgonaut]

Turns out that toggling the NumLock key wasn’t all that consistent a remedy. It remained a hit-or-miss proposition as to whether the laptop would boot or not. Even when it was running, the mouse would occasionally go berserk,. and the stuck keys were a major annoyance.<br>In my internet travels and travails to fix this, I was able to unearth an FTP site where IBM had all of the technical manuals for their PCs. I got to it through an Austrian IBM site. I downloaded everything they had for the 390E. Tried it again a day or two later and was denied access. Not my problem, I got what I needed.<br>Basically I popped the keyboard and pulled the cables/strips connecting the keyboard and trackpoint to the inner boards. Slapped the keyboard back on, connected my Logitech mouse and keyboard to the Y-connector going into the PS2 jack in the back, crossed my fingers and switched it on. This puppy’s purring now. <br>Try this only if you know your warranty’s history anyway.<br>1. Unplug everything<br>2. You’ll need a couple of small flathead screwdrivers, a small Phillips, tweezers, tape (for attaching the tiny screws to the Philips head. I also stood on a rubber mat, and grounded myself.<br>3. Turn the laptop over.<br>4. Pull the battery.<br>5. Pull the hard drive (center plate in back). Turn the screw with a small coin or a flathead; the screw remains attached to the plate.<br>6. After removing plate, carefully pull the drive. It has a handle and slides right out.<br>7. Turn the laptop right-side up.<br>8. Pop the plate just below the LCD where the LED’s and the ‘390E’ is. Underneath you will find the two screws that hold the keyboard in place. Unscrew them.<br>9. You’ll probably have to play with the tab just below the ‘IBM ThinkPad’ logo to lift the keyboard. I did, but it released with some gentle coaxing from the flathead.<br>10. You will find 3 plastic strips in the front of the keyboard. These essentially pull right out. They’re just plastic strips right to the end (no holes or anything for locking devices in these strips).<br>11. Slap the keyboard back on. I just tucked the plastic strips below the keyboard. This step is probably optional, but I did it anyway.<br>12. Reinstall the hard drive.<br>13. Reinstall the battery.<br>14. ‘Bout time for that shot of tequila.<br>15. Switch it on.<br><br>For those who are wondering; yes, I did have a complete backup before I started this crude amputation. It did work though. I’ll probably get the keyboard replaced when I have the extra cash around, but, for now, I’m all set.<br>I’m still less than satisfied with the cavalier way that IBM threw this back at me. By their technical manuals, they use the installed PC Doctor for diagnostics. As of right now, I am coming up completely clean on these diagnostics. The only problems that were surfacing before were the keyboard and trackpoint, and I eliminated that. I am left with the feeling that some tech there at IBM was either lazy or decided to give me the screw and totaled the laptop (they call it ‘Tier Xing’ the laptop). Oh well, they can go to Hell anyway, they’re not going to see this machine in their shop again.<br>

 

[Speccie]

Hi WearyArgonaut, Heheh, I sympathise, I have a Tp770. The machine was on a low table and I had a hot mug of tea about a foot away on another table, I reached behind my cup of tea for my cigar lighter and put my thumb in the mug. I jumped...the mug rocked and about a dessert spoonful of tea lept the 1 foot gap and went into my keyboard. Well despite quick recovery. turning the machine upside down etc, half of my keyboard and the mouse died. The following morning my mouse came back to life. Fortunately I had an external keyboard which works fine..a replacement keyboard will cost me £45 about $60. I removed 90% of my keytops and I can see no damage or foreign matter. Still, the manual for your machine..... start at IBM.com/support/uk you will see some options...
Product area....select notebooks (it will go automatically)
next..
Product family...select 390E
Filter results by type of support....Select online publications
Filter result by areas of interest...select Hardware Maintainance Manual
....2.6Meg download...U will need Acrobat reader v5.0 for which there is a link on this page and it is F.O.C.
I have tested this, downloaded and looked at the manual....It has all the removal replacements and procedures you will need..best of luck.

Michael.

 

[rjkrash]

One suggestion, look around on ebay or find a local laptop shop that has a dead or near dead 390e and salvage it for the parts you need.

By the time you are done you may have a new career as a laptop tech
The two rules for success are:
1. Never tell them everything you know.

 

[Speccie]

All this keyboard fuss, I called IBM customer care, number out of the telephone directory and was put through to direct sales. I bought a new UK keyboard, delivered the following morning and it cost me £27:50 (about $40) plus tax plus shipping. ten minutes to fit and it all works. The FRU number is on the base of the old keyboard, mine was 12j2006 for UK and I know its 12j2005 for US (tp770 in my case)

cheers Michael

 

[ceh4702]

IBM has a really bad relationship with its PC customers. Their solution to all PC problems is to sell you the next bigger and better PC model. You should have washed it out completely dried it off and tried to collect on a warranty if it still had one. Most PC's manage to have problems right after the expiration of their warranties.

If it will make you feel better you can write a letter to the IBM CEO complaining about their service. There is either that or just posting how IBM helped you on every usenet discussion board on a giant mass post. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.