I drowned my X30

[RAS7]

I hope this isn't fatal! Bear with me while I set the stage:

I knocked a cup of coffee (ugh, w/ cream and sugar) over right into my purse! When I was cleaning up the mess, I didn't think it got the X30, but I discovered about half an hour later, that it did. I pulled the SD card out, it was slightly damp. There were a couple of drops of moisture on the screen that I wiped off. The inside of the slip case was damp. I removed the main battery - no moisture there. I left the whole thing to sit and dry several hours (probably about 8). Put the battery back in. Nothing, then a few minutes later, it would turn itself on with only the amber light showing. I could only turn it off by removing the battery, so I took it out. When I got home, I put it back together and plugged it in with the power/sync cable. It powered up, with the low backup warning. It did its own hard reset - I set up the relationship again, synced, - and all looked good. I removed the sync cable and left it plugged in with the power cable end only. After several hours, the light changed to green and the backup registered as normal.

And that's where it turns nasty... now I can't turn it on. Pushing the power button does NOTHING. Plugging it in with power only lights the amber light, but pushing the power button does NOTHING. Plugging it in with power/sync it comes on automatically and everything works. But I CAN"T TURN IT OFF. I have to remove the cable for it to go off.

I've tried reading many threads here and elsewhere. I see mention of them getting wet and working afterwards. But with the sugars in the coffee - has it left some damaging residue? I saw one thread that actually suggested swishing the unit in distilled water and leaving it to dry several days. Anyone ever done this? I've seen mention of taking it apart and rinsing in distilled water. Again - has that actually been done? If so, how do I take it apart?

What is your recommendation (other than "don't drink and drive )?

No, it's not in warranty, this has been my trusted companion for a couple of years now!

Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
RAS

[Mahstah]

I would try opening it up and flushing out the power button on the board with alcohol. Give it a pressurized small stream if you can to dislodge the sticky layer that could be preventing the button contacts from touching. Dry it ASAP (even though the alcohol with evaporate), then clean any affected areas of the board with alcohol and a toothbrush/other non-abrasive non-fibrous material, dabbing up excess as you go with a cloth. Make sure the main and backup batteries are out whenever the board has moisture on it and when cleaning to prevent bridging any circutry with conductive liquid.

If you're successful, tell the story on the "Serious Axim Accident and Recovery" thread. There a a few other liquid-based disasters there.

[RAS7]

Thank You! Okay, I found directions to take it apart. You say to take out the backup battery. Is that the green wrapped "button" opposite the speaker - and do I just lift it out ? I already disconnected that tiny cable.

I don't see any residue on the bottom of the button, but it does look like there is some on the contacts on the motherboard. And there is some in the sponge right next to the power button. The antenna was sticky, too. So everything up there will need a shot of cleaning.

Will I need to remove the screen? When it did power on, there did not appear to be any problems with the screen. There are a couple of dribble lines showing on the back of it however. Just how much can I clean this with the alcohol? Should I use Isopropyl or EverClear - no,no,no, really, I don't have THAT problem - I use it in my cake decorating as a liquifying agent for the airbrush!

[Mahstah]

The backup battery should be connected via a white pull connector. You should clean any evidence of stickiness on the unit, screen (remove it), board, and all. Don't dunk the hardware in alcohol, just clean. I've used isopropyl. I don't know about everclear, it should work too if it's the 190 proof kind. That stuff kills my throat!

[RAS7]

Well, I took it completely apart, carefully cleaned it with alcohol, stream of air to dry it (airbrush came in handy) let it sit overnight and all morning. I put it back together late this afternoon, plugged it in. Amber light lit. Left it - after about 6 hours, the light went to green. Pushed power button. Nothing. Tried hard reset. Nothing. Unplugged the power only end of the cable, plugged in the sync cable. Power light went back to amber. Pushed power button, nothing. If I leave it for quite a bit, light goes back to green. If I unplug it and plug it back in, light goes back to amber. I am guessing the backup battery needs charged, but doesn't the PPC have to be turned on to charge the backup battery? I can't turn it on!

I double and triple checked to make sure I had all the cables, etc hooked back in.

Before I cleaned it - when it was plugged in with sync/power it would power on automatically and work, but wouldn't turn off. Now it won't power on at all.

Do I take it apart again and literally "wash" this baby with distilled water? I was pretty gentle with it, trying not to rub on the contacts, pins, chips, etc.

I love my X30 - I don't really want to replace it, I don't need anything higher level - I didn't even use this to its full potential! Is there any hope for it?

[Drifter]

The last time I came accross anything like this myself, I took it fully apart and put the components on to of a central heating radiator for 2 days ansd then reassembled... Then it worked.

[Mahstah]

At this point you won't be hurting the Axim any worse if you try washing it then drying it for an extended period of time. I normally do not suggest actually washing any circuit board, but if you can do it without corrosion or other damage, go for it! Wash only the board, not the screen or other parts. Immediately after, dry it and put it onto a warm surface or near a vent to dry for a couple days as Drifter says.

[RAS7]

Thanks, I will let you know in a few days if I am in the market for a new PPC

[RAS7]

Well, I guess it IS fatal. I have it all cleaned and put back together. Still the same story: When I plug it in, amber charging light comes on, several hours later, it goes green. BUT when I push the power button, NOTHING. And if I disconnect the power and then plug it back in immediately, it's back to amber for an hour or so. I am guessing that not only did it short out so that it won't power up, but that the backup battery is dead too. And of course, with the x30, it needs to be powered on to charge the backup battery, right?

Would I have to do something different to get it to power up? Obviously, I can't do a hard reset, since it isn't recognizing the power button. (I can feel the button making contact with the tiny trip switch inside).

I may send it to the pocketpctech site that has been mentioned in this forum.