Zbook x360 small water spill, what to do?

[TheArchiman]

Hi,

So, I believe **bleep**ed up. Managed to spill about 0,5 dl of water over the keyboard. Struck by panic I quickly unplugged ac and every other cable and shut the system down. I instinctivly held the laptop up and down simultaniously as drying the keyboard with paper! It seems some drops of water got in under the keyboard, as when I pressed some of the keys I could see small traces of water coming out! The laptop is now up and down on a bed of rice (dunno if this makes sense or not. What do I do now more than wait? 

My emergency research on this suggested to unplug the battery. This laptop has however an "integrated" not user serviceable battery since opening the back plate would void the warranty. So it is a bit of a catch 22.

The computer claims to have a spill resistant keyboard, whatever that means here I dont know. 

[Huffer]

You did right by turning it off immediately. Don't use a hair dryer as we saw someone else here recently tried. 

Here's the Manual:

Manual

I would not worry about the warranty at this point; that is already gone because of the water spill. On this model you access it from the back and that is spelled out in the manual. If water is gushing out when you press a key you do have a serious issue going on. Unfortunately, you do not remove the keyboard on this model. You come in from the back and the keyboard is the last part remaining after a complete field stripping of the laptop. I would open it from the back and I would remove the battery and set it aside. Check under it for water. If I were the tech working on it I would also remove the motherboard and make sure no moisture got on it. If so I would wipe it with light alcohol and set it aside, too and let dry for a couple days. 

Post back with any questions. You can save your laptop but it is going to be a bit of a chore. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@TheArchiman

Commentary - not to be confused with HP policy or HP statements of fact

I would guess that the "water resistance" is limited to little bits of water that might drip into the keyboard when the machine is sitting "upright" on a desk or other flat surface.

So, is it better to dry the unit "up and down"?  I don't know to what extent the water is "contained" when there is a spill.  I would "guess" that leaving the unit on a flat surface, elevated, and open to circulating warm dry air would suffice.  Note I did not say "Blast the computer with a hair dryer".  "Circulating warm dry air" is different from a hot blast of air forced onto delicate equipment.   I would further recommend you do not put the computer into an oven.  Use common sense.

On the other hand, the computer is already "side ways" and embedded in a bowl (or other container) of rice.  This, too, might work just fine (especially since the deed is "done" so-to-speak).

Now, you wait.  For a really long time (up to several days depending on the humidity in your location).  When you believe the computer is dry, try booting it.  Not sure how long?  Wait a few days.  Think about it:  If you are "not ready" to commit, wait two more days and then decide whether you think it is "time".  Much depends on the environment:  Stuff dries faster in a desert than it does in the jungle.

If the machine is still under warranty, give HP Technical Support a call and see what they say.  IF you have a Care Pack contract with Accidental Damage coverage, you might even be covered if the computer is damaged.  (We cannot answer questions concerning contracts / coverage.)

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