Hardware

Careless users prove PCs and drinks don't mix

By // April 13, 2007, 3:49 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Pug drinks coffee on top of laptop

    Computers are such common fixtures of modern life, many users forget the sensitive electronics that lurk under the PC's plastic skin. And, unless you're running a specialized cooling system, these electronics don't like liquids.

    Unfortunately, these careless users haven't heeded this advice. Whether it's beer, wine, water, or powered candy, these users still haven't learned to protect their PCs from spills.

    This photo may be cute, but a pug, a cup of coffee, and a laptop is a recipe for trouble. What happens if the pooch takes a fancy to drinking out of the cup when the owner isn't around?

    By Bill Detwiler

    © Webshots - kelleh411

  • Gatorade won't improve your laptop's performanc

    Gatorade's combination of electrolytes and carbohydrates may help athletes maintain peak performance, but it can definitely ruin your laptop.

    © Webshots - huffkid

  • Gatorade spilled on the computer desk

    Hopefully this spill was confined to the desk and the mouse pad.

    © Webshots - x3thecrew

  • Replacing her laptop keyboard after a tea spill

    This user spilled tea on her laptop. It appears, she's had to order a replacement keyboard.



    © Webshots - snowyevans86

  • Let's hold our drinks and pose for a picture right next to your laptop

    These two ladies appear to be having a good time. I'm sure they wouldn't do anything careless--like hold their drinks dangerously close to that laptop.

    © Webshots - ntash11

  • Oops! Laptops don't like beer.

    Perhaps these ladies shouldn't have held their beers next to the laptop.

    © Webshots - ntash11

  • Another beer/laptop mishap

    Is it just me, or does this user still have the power cord connected to her laptop, which is now covered with beer?

    © Webshots - andrea14oo

  • Turn off the laptop after a spill!

    Not only does this unfortunate individual still have the power cord attached, but the laptop is still running. First rule of spills: Turn of the device and kill the power. Then, completely dry the device before powering it back up.

    © Webshots - andrea14oo

  • Another happy before-the-spill photo

    This lady is all smiles as she poses for an impromptu photo.

    © Webshots - jillybriz

  • Drying the beer with a hairdryer

    After spilling beer on her laptop, this lady has changed her expression.

    © Webshots - jillybriz

  • Screwdrivers are used to take computers apart.

    Someone spilled orange juice on this laptop while mixing drinks at 11 AM.

    © Webshots - jillgeorgetown

  • Laptop suffers during Roman holiday

    During a semester in Rome, these ladies spilled wine on this laptop. I'm not really sure why they are hold the machine over their heads. But, I love the one girl's expression. I'm not sure if she's shocked or amused.

    © Webshots - kadie10

  • Cleaning apple juice off a keyboard

    After spilling apple juice on this keyboard, the user decided to remove the key and clean out the juice. It's a solid plan. I hope they remember where all the keys go.

    © Webshots - malbaby17

  • Spills are not just caused by college kids

    After a champagne spill killed this machine, these guys decided they had nothing to lose by taking it apart and attempting a repair.

    © Webshots - netcrasher26

  • Girlfriend spills LIK-M-AID Fun Dip on boyfriend's laptop

    While not as potentially dangerous as a liquid, this powered candy from Nestle can still cause a mess. According to this individual, his girlfriend cause the spill. "Were Bre not so awesome," he wrote, "this would be a break-up offense."

    © Webshots - atheose

  • Spill-proofing their laptop with plastic bag

    I don't know whether this laptop was the victim of a previous spill, but at least its owner is being proactive and protecting it from a possible spill.

    © Webshots - blaquedominica22

Pug drinks coffee on top of laptop

Computers are such common fixtures of modern life, many users forget the sensitive electronics that lurk under the PC's plastic skin. And, unless you're running a specialized cooling system, these electronics don't like liquids.

Unfortunately, these careless users haven't heeded this advice. Whether it's beer, wine, water, or powered candy, these users still haven't learned to protect their PCs from spills.

This photo may be cute, but a pug, a cup of coffee, and a laptop is a recipe for trouble. What happens if the pooch takes a fancy to drinking out of the cup when the owner isn't around?

By Bill Detwiler

© Webshots - kelleh411

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...