Got water in my computer

[JumBie]

Long story short I spilled a bottle of water and splashes of it went on my motherboard and case. I immediately shut down the computer and started cleaning up the water that was on my desk and floor. I noticed a few splashes on the motherboard and I dabbed them off. I turned my computer on and it was working fine for about a minute and then it gave a BSOD SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION. After that my computer lights, and fans would all start up but the monitor would not display any output. I played around and noticed that by taking out one stick of ram the computer would boot fine and I was able to browse, watch videos, and play games with no problems. Putting the stick back in either slot produces the same problem. I tested the stick on another computer and that computer would not boot as well. The thing is, it doesn't appear as if any water hit the stick of ram, so I am sort of confused. The computer appears to be fine, hopefully it remains that way, but is there any salvaging this stick of ram?

Update:

Computer gave me a low memory warning even though there was only 2.5gb of 4gb being used. I ignored the message and an hour later the game crashed due to insufficient memory. Not exactly sure whats going on here, as the total memory being used by the whole system was less than 4gb.

 

[Burpo]

Nope.. Lucky to get off that easy.

 

[ArisVer]

Is there a chance to RMA the sticks?

 

[JumBie]

Is there a chance to RMA the sticks?

Nope

 

[Ketchup]

Sounds like you got off pretty well. Most RAM has a lifetime warranty, but since you know what caused the damage you may just want a new stick.

The update sounds like a page file warning. It will be used more since you have less memory right now.

 

[inachu]

Open up pc case and use a hair dryer to heat up the inside to evaporate the water.

Heat up the memory and even take them out and heat up the slot.
Buy a cleaning agent like flux off to spray the known areas that were hit with water.

 

[JumBie]

Sounds like you got off pretty well. Most RAM has a lifetime warranty, but since you know what caused the damage you may just want a new stick.

The update sounds like a page file warning. It will be used more since you have less memory right now.

Why am I only getting this error now? The computer had 4GB of memory a while back and I never received this message. It only started happening after I pulled this 4GB stick that got "wet".

Update: This popup appears when there is like still 1GB of memory available. And sometimes my applications and games crash to the desktop, other times a black screen appears where I can still hear sound but cannot do anything. This issue has to be related to the water. This never use to happen before.

Open up pc case and use a hair dryer to heat up the inside to evaporate the water.

Heat up the memory and even take them out and heat up the slot.
Buy a cleaning agent like flux off to spray the known areas that were hit with water.

Is it too late to dry it now? Its coming close to a day after the incident.

 

[ArisVer]

There could still be moisture lying around somewhere. In fact you shouldn't start your computer before doing this.

 

[Ketchup]

Look at your pagefile and see how much has been used. And I don't think there is still moisture on components. You would have smelled it and have more dead components by now if that was the case.

 

[crashtech]

My protocol for spilled liquids in a PC is to immediately unplug it, then disassemble everything that is in a slot or socket, even the CMOS battery. Everything then gets blown out with air and left to dry for 24 hours. At that point it can be reassembled and tested.

Immediately turning a PC back on that has had liquid splashed or spilled into it is begging for trouble. It's very possible for moisture to persist inside of slots since it's not exposed to airflow.

 

[JumBie]

There could still be moisture lying around somewhere. In fact you shouldn't start your computer before doing this.

Really wish I had known that before hand.

Look at your pagefile and see how much has been used. And I don't think there is still moisture on components. You would have smelled it and have more dead components by now if that was the case.

Increased the pagefile on my storage drive (where the game was installed) and haven't had a low memory error ever since.

My protocol for spilled liquids in a PC is to immediately unplug it, then disassemble everything that is in a slot or socket, even the CMOS battery. Everything then gets blown out with air and left to dry for 24 hours. At that point it can be reassembled and tested.

Immediately turning a PC back on that has had liquid splashed or spilled into it is begging for trouble. It's very possible for moisture to persist inside of slots since it's not exposed to airflow.

Seriously, If I had known that at the time I could have saved my ram. I did shut down the computer but I turned it right back off after I thought I had cleaned everything off. I guess you learn from experience. Good thing is there was no damage to the slot, I tested it out with another stick and it ran just fine.



Anyone know if I can use the eraser method or oven method to bring this stick back to life?

 

[inachu]

Anyone know if I can use the eraser method or oven method to bring this stick back to life?


You need a very strong magnifying glass to see if any corrosion has taken place.
You could at the next time you do laundry is to toss the stick in with mostly dry clothes and let the heat work on it.
Let it tumble dry for 5 minutes.

I have seen my dryer repair my thumb drives when forgotten and were washed and made wet.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You could at the next time you do laundry is to toss the stick in with mostly dry clothes and let the heat work on it.
Let it tumble dry for 5 minutes.

You can't be serious...?

OP: DON'T do this. The static from the drying clothes will most definitely destroy the RAM stick, and then it will most likely damage whatever board it is plugged into.

Edit: A much better dessicant is a ziplock bag filled with some dry white rice.