Question Please help me fix this laptop

[ricmetal]

Hello everyone,
I was recently given this laptop that had coke spilled on it. I cleaned it up a bit and apparently it still works (it was headed for the trash!).
https://i.ibb.co/SJvhgL9/IMG20241217180509.jpg

Anyway, not everything works and i'd like your guys's help to figure out if the motherboard is in 100% working conditions, before i go out and buy parts.

Three things that aren't working:

- Fan
- External Memory
- Keyboard

I'm a newb with hardware at this level and the usage of a multimeter btw (electronics diagrams are chinese to me). The motherboard is a x512dk rev 2.1, from a Vivobook (F512D)

So, first question is: how to i test the motherboard connections to the three things that aren't working?

Fan Connector (Fan doesn't start. Going into windows and using a Fan Tester Software, it shows the fan is running at millions of RPM. I assume the fan or fan connector is completly effed up).
https://i.ibb.co/DpFB6VS/IMG20241229123636.jpg
I did find how to do a test with the multimeter, i think called continuity test and they appear to be fine. Beyond that test i know nothing of electronics that'll help me figure out is the motherboard is 100% good.

Fan
https://i.ibb.co/tBT9WRz/IMG20241229131404.jpg
Secondary question: How do i test the fan itself also, besides it's motherboard connector (i don't have any other laptops to test it on)?

Keyboard Connector
https://i.ibb.co/W6DGCxY/IMG20241229123703.jpg
(The keyboard itself is beyond recovery from the coke)

Memory Connector
https://i.ibb.co/r6KP3Nm/IMG20241229123644.jpg

Memory
The Laptop won't start with the memory in the slot
https://i.ibb.co/rG13p2c/IMG20241229131421.jpg
(Can i also test the memory itself with the multimeter?)

I just don't wanna buy these parts prior because they'll be coming from china and their return policy is, well, crap. In case the motherboard connectors are bad, especially the fan and memory connectors.

Thanks in advance

 

[Misgar]

If the beverage formed a conductive path between various circuits inside the laptop, it may have sustained permanent damage that no amount of cleaning can fix.

I might give all components a thorough clean to remove all sticky residues, then leave everything to dry in a warm place for several days before reassembly.

In all probability, the laptop is past economic repair, if you need to replace major parts such as the motherboard.

 

[ricmetal]

If the beverage formed a conductive path between various circuits inside the laptop, it may have sustained permanent damage that no amount of cleaning can fix.

I might give all components a thorough clean to remove all sticky residues, then leave everything to dry in a warm place for several days before reassembly.

In all probability, the laptop is past economic repair, if you need to replace major parts such as the motherboard.

hence my questions on how to diagnose the connectors...

if it wasn't clear, the mobo works. i don't need to replace it.

 

[USAFRet]

hence my questions on how to diagnose the connectors...

if it wasn't clear, the mobo works. i don't need to replace it.

Anyway, not everything works

In a laptop, the motherboard is basically the whole thing.
So, if the things you mention don't work, it IS the motherboard.

 

[ricmetal]

In a laptop, the motherboard is basically the whole thing.
So, if the things you mention don't work, it IS the motherboard.

how are you sure it is the motherboard? can it not be the fan itself? the RAM stick itself? the keyboard?

the mouse pad works fine, the m2 stick works fine, the cpu and gpu work fine...

 

[USAFRet]

how are you sure it is the motherboard? can it not be the fan itself? the RAM stick itself? the keyboard?

the mouse pad works fine, the m2 stick works fine, the cpu and gpu work fine...

Well, yes.
It could be any or all of those.

Only way to really test is to swap in a known working part.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

"I'm a newb with hardware at this level and the usage of a multimeter btw (electronics diagrams are chinese to me).

That opening statement right there is proof enough that you are in WAY over your head and have no business whatsoever attempting this repair. It's not repairable (and most honest shops would tell you this). Just toss it.

 

[ricmetal]

That opening statement right there is proof enough that you are in WAY over your head and have no business whatsoever attempting this repair. It's not repairable (and most honest shops would tell you this). Just toss it.

love this gatekeeping. "you don't know about it, don't do it".
why do you think i even ask on a forum that apparently has people that can help on the subject i don't know much about, for help?

 

[USAFRet]

love this gatekeeping. "you don't know about it, don't do it".
why do you think i even ask on a forum that apparently has people that can help on the subject i don't know much about, for help?

He's pretty much right.

If a multimeter and schematics are beyond your current knowledge, about the only thing you can do is swap in known working parts.
Be advised....the potentially defective motherboard may kill the new part.

RAM - It might be the ram stick, or the slot (motherboard)
Fan - might be the fan motor, or the motherboard connection
Keyboard - Fried connection port, or whatever IC on the motherboard controls the kbd.