O/T - The inner geek in me... | Forums

[cgkstealth]

So as I was sitting here on the computer I realized that I hadn't charged my phone in a while and, instinctively, reached in my pocket to get it. Well it wasn't there...and it wasn't upstairs on my nighstand...and it wasn't on the charger. Last place I had it was...umm...in my old pants pocket that I'd just thrown in the washer.

The washer.

So here I am running to the laundry room, draining the water out of the washer and finding my poor phone. Actually the screen was still lit up and it was vibrating.
I quick pulled the battery out and started drying it off.

As I'm drying it off with a towel that I grabbed, the inner-geek in me takes over and I run upstairs to get my mass collection of silica packets (I've been collecting these for quite some time actually, I have 3 gallon bags full and another partial one). So I get the silica packets, run downstairs, throw them in the microwave for 45 seconds (in a Tupperware bowl) and continue drying my phone.

Long and short it is now sitting on the counter in a sealed Tupperware bowl submerged in, around, and by silica packets with every possible screw, cover and removable anything that I could take off of it off.

Here's to seeing if it works tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have a nice Christmas surprise with a working phone.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I think a hand held blowdryer (on Hot setting) would've done the trick by now.

[cgkstealth]

I thought about that but I wasn't sure if it would be too hot for the phone or if it would even have moisture in the hot air. I'd always heard of the rice or silica packet trick so that's why I tried that first.

[Wolferz]

A tupperware bowl full of coarse salt would do the trick in a pinch.

[donna577]

I throw mine out, tell my carrier it was stolen and get a discount on an upgraded model.....Wern you didn't read this!

[tambor198]

Originally posted by donna577:
I throw mine out, tell my carrier it was stolen and get a discount on an upgraded model.....Wern you didn't read this!

You're a very sneaky young lady........

[cgkstealth]

Originally posted by donna577:
I throw mine out, tell my carrier it was stolen and get a discount on an upgraded model.....Wern you didn't read this!

Off the record, I'd kinda thought about that too.

All of my pictures and music (my phone is my portable music player) are on my mini-SD card that I also quickly removed, and I'm happy to report that the card does work.
I did just a few minutes ago try the thing and it does actually turn on. It's not totally cured yet as the screen still has visible water drops behind it and the "1" key must have water behind it as it keeps spamming 11111111111 but other than that it appears to work.

I'm still going to let it sit overnight on our furnace register to hopefully dry it out a bit more but as of now I'd say it looks promising.
*crosses fingers*

[Mescator]

Originally posted by WernherVonTrapp:
I think a hand held blowdryer (on Hot setting) would've done the trick by now.

Blow dryers aren't really what you want, they get too hot and they're very directional. You'll leave moisture behind parts you can't get to. Unfortunately i do have a bit of experience here =(

Silica Packets are a good move though.

PS: If you decide to take the evil path, buy a cheap replacement battery off Ebay and put that in before you take it back. The moisture indicator is on the Batt, not the phone itself

[cgkstealth]

I checked my phone with my moms (same model, different color) and there actually is an indicator on the phone too.
There's one on the battery and on the phone.

I guess I'll just leave it in my bowl with all of my silica packets and see what it's like in the morning.
I was wondering though if it would be better to have the lid sealed or if I should leave it vented.

When I tried it last though it does turn on but not all of the keyboard keys work....

[Mescator]

Originally posted by cgkstealth:
I checked my phone with my moms (same model, different color) and there actually is an indicator on the phone too.
There's one on the battery and on the phone.

Bugger! Lot of the time they only have the one.

Originally posted by cgkstealth:
I guess I'll just leave it in my bowl with all of my silica packets and see what it's like in the morning.
I was wondering though if it would be better to have the lid sealed or if I should leave it vented.

When I tried it last though it does turn on but not all of the keyboard keys work....

With Silica I'm not sure tbh. Personally I'd probably close the tub up. If it was going when it got wet there's good odds it will be buggered =(