Just spilled milk into my computer - any chance it will survive?

LeipeMeuteleider

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Mar 10, 2015
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I was gaming on my recently built PC when I knocked over a glass of milk. after 1 second I realized my computer was below the affected area, with two top fans exposed, and I immediately shut off the PSU, but I was about 1 second too late. it took me too long to reach for the off button on my PSU. I disconnected all cables from my computer, so I'm pretty sure my peripherals survived, but I don't know about the PC itself. only a small amount actually got into the PC, I estimate about 10 - 20 mL, but I fear for my PC.

specs, in case it matters:
PSU: Corsair GM750M 750Watt
MoBo: ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Ranger
CPU: i5 6600K
CPU cooler: Scythe Ninja 4
GPU: GTX 980
RAM: 32GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 III

I put the computer upside down in hopes that the milk will not leak any further.

if it survives, what's the best way to clean it of the milk? the water in the milk will eventually evaporate but the milk will still stay which I cannot imagine to be good.

I will contact my insurance company as soon as my father gets home(about 2 hours), although I am not entirely sure if the insurance will cover this.

thanks in advance everyone!
 


It could have survived if the liquid did not get into critical components, like motherboard, GPU's pcb. I'd let it dry for a few days, clean the remaing milk (probably solidified by this time) using a Q tip. And then turn it on and give it a go.
 
Unfortunately, it got both on the motherboard AND on the GPU PCB. I don't know if it got on the GPU PCB before or after I shut off the PSU, but it got on the motherboard, that's for sure. it wouldn't have shut off before I switched the PSU off otherwise.
 
When you say you were about 1 second too late in shutting off the power, did anything actually happen during that time? Sparks, computer shut itself off, etc? I would take everything completely apart, trying not to spread the milk around inside any further. Then carefully examine each component, to see which may have gotten wet. Then as suggested, let everything dry out and you should see any milk residue which could be cleaned off carefully.
 
As soon as it looks dry, get some Q-Tips and some Isopropyl Alcohol and clean up any traces you can find on the components. Once the Milk is removed, have a quick sniff around to see if you can detect any traces of burnt electronics. While you are cleaning up the Milk, keep an eye open for any signs of burnt / shorted components. Just make sure you use a nice white coloured light (LED flashlight would work best) as white light will make it easier to spot any shorted components.
Don't bother with the Insurance. They won't cover that. I can guarantee that.
 


I heard some popping sounds, which sounded at first like my motherboard frying but after a second or two I realized it;s more likely to be drops of milk hitting the PC, making popping sounds when they impact. I did not see sparks or smoke.
 




HAHAHAH XD OMG, SORRY FOR LAUGHING OP, this is just amazing :pt1cable:
 


only about 10-20 mL got in, as I said. so I don't think it will be that bad. problem is, I don't have a lot of alcohol and I cannot buy any(It's 9PM here)
 


JOKE'S ON YOU, I ALREADY CLEANED ALL THE MILK UP!

on a more serious note, can I also clean the bottom of my processor with the alcohol? I think some milk might've gotten in and I inevitably touched it, too. it does not have any pins on the bottom of the processor: those are on the motherboard. so I should be fine to clean it, right?

another question: which components are dishwasher safe? I've heard of people putting their motherboards in the dishwasher, but since this motherboard has a very sensitive socket I don't think that will work. as far as I know the only components that really need it are the grafics card and the RAM, those were very dirty. I think the CPU is fine.
 


What !?!?!?!?

..... Don't do that. This is not a thing. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Wow. There is no part of a PC that is dishwasher safe.
 


Yup, thought so. I've seen some people do it but it seemed very unsafe to me. back to the processor, can I clean the bottom with alcohol or not?
 


Yes it's safe, but make sure you are completely free of static electricity, even a little shock can destroy your CPU, always ground your self before working on your PC.
 


thanks. once I have cleaned it, I assume it's safe to use in any working motherboard? my friend has exactly the same socket, so he might want to test it. I assume even if the CPU is damaged it cannot short his motherboard? and how about the RAM?
 


If one of your components is already dead, it just won't work in the other system, there will be no damage done.