San Francisco submerged in water.

[Guest rbbrslmn]

my sister just rang me to tell ask what to do, I'm assuming its dead (her toddler put it in the sink!) and the only chance of getting new one is if she reports it broken by some other way and orange don't bother checking.. but what common fault might that be?

[Guest Frankish]

They will check. There are water indicators inside the case. They always know. Unless you have insurance it's a long shot.

I dropped my Desire in a glass of Tia Maria and Coke :D (Girl drink i know!) All i did was turn it off for as long as possible. Took everything apart i could. Waited for it to be completely dry. Went to my local Maplin and bought some contact cleaner, took phone apart and cleaned motherboard. All worked fine after that.

[Guest Swimmerboy]

my sister just rang me to tell ask what to do, I'm assuming its dead (her toddler put it in the sink!) and the only chance of getting new one is if she reports it broken by some other way and orange don't bother checking.. but what common fault might that be?

There's stickers on the phone and battery of most phones that turn pink/red on contact with water. These are commonly checked when returning faulty phones.

[Guest Len Ash]

my sister just rang me to tell ask what to do, I'm assuming its dead (her toddler put it in the sink!) and the only chance of getting new one is if she reports it broken by some other way and orange don't bother checking.. but what common fault might that be?

All modern phones have at least 2 "moisture detectors" - usually soldered to the main PCB in different places or in the form of stickers, or both (Nokia). This means an instant claim reject. No way around it.

You need a new one... it will be likely totalled.

Edited January 9, 2011 by Len Ash

[Guest rbbrslmn]

cheers, I knew about the moisture detectors but was wondering if they'd bother checking if it was being returned for a common fault.

[Guest Danne_Swe]

cheers, I knew about the moisture detectors but was wondering if they'd bother checking if it was being returned for a common fault.

I do think they'll check it, since it's quite easy for them to do. You could always try though (use the innocent dog eye-look... :D )

I would go for Frankish advice, try to take it apart and dry it (you could actually use a hair dryer, if you are a bit impatient, like I am!) and just cross your fingers for luck.

[Guest Frankish]

I do think they'll check it, since it's quite easy for them to do. You could always try though (use the innocent dog eye-look... :P )

I would go for Frankish advice, try to take it apart and dry it (you could actually use a hair dryer, if you are a bit impatient, like I am!) and just cross your fingers for luck.

Hair drying is a great idea if you want to warp and possibly melt the device :D

There is no excuse for impatience B)

[Guest Ced_Gee]

cheers, I knew about the moisture detectors but was wondering if they'd bother checking if it was being returned for a common fault.

I work in the mobile phone repair industry and the first thing we check for on warranty claims is liquid ingress and physical damage. Even if the liquid indicators have not been activated, we will check the phones mainboard under a microscope for any evidence of liquid or corrosion.

I suppose your only chance would be to return it to a Orange store and they give you a replacement straight away. But I guess that's highly unlikely to happen...

[Guest Azurren]

No one suggested rice?

As soon as the damage is done remove the battery and any covers (Just the back cover on the SF) and submerge it in a bag / container of rice

You'd be surprised how often it works, as water itself does absolutely no damage to the device. Power and short-circuiting because of water does

[Guest Frankish]

No one suggested rice?

As soon as the damage is done remove the battery and any covers (Just the back cover on the SF) and submerge it in a bag / container of rice

You'd be surprised how often it works, as water itself does absolutely no damage to the device. Power and short-circuiting because of water does

Yeah but not cooked rice :D

[Guest Azurren]

Yeah but not cooked rice :D

And best not to eat it after.. Rice can be funny :P

[Guest RussellS]

If it was just water you may be ok (I say MAY). The important thing is to NOT turn it on. The best bet is to remove the back cover & battery, put it in a bowl on top of some plain uncooked rice and then leave it in a warm place for a few days (airing cupboard). The rice will absorb the moisture as it evaporates from within the phone.

It is worse when drinks are spilt on electronic devices because as they evaporate they leave a sticky residue that can conduct electricity and also corrode contacts etc.

EDIT: you all beat me to it. I take too long typing things in :D

Edited January 9, 2011 by RussellS

[Guest Smiff2]

if it's gone in a drink, i'd wash it under water (distilled if you have it) and then try to dry it. since its already wet, i doubt you'll do more harm.

[Guest markusj]

if it's gone in a drink, i'd wash it under water (distilled if you have it) and then try to dry it. since its already wet, i doubt you'll do more harm.

I'd rather suggest washing the motherboard in ethyl alcohol.

Of course, you need to take it apart, and wash only the motherboard, since it harms the screen.

Also, I don't know what's going on in Britain, but hungarian T-mobile can't repair ZTE Blades.

The only thing they can do is reflash the phone, or send it back to China, so they don't even take it apart.

[Guest rbbrslmn]

if it's gone in a drink, i'd wash it under water (distilled if you have it) and then try to dry it. since its already wet, i doubt you'll do more harm.

I doubt she'd have distilled but I think you can get de-ionised water in asda so that should do the job.

[Guest Arr Too]

Every time I see this thread in the list I wonder if we've got to 2012 already...

[Guest PeaNut_HU]

Every time I see this thread in the list I wonder if we've got to 2012 already...

I had to read this 2 times to understand. :P B) :D You made my day!

[Guest StevenHarperUK]

I had to read this 2 times to understand. :P B) :D You made my day!

Made me think of this

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114898/

[Guest trishmac]

I had to read this 2 times to understand. B) :P :D You made my day!

+1 :P Did make me giggle :P

Hope OP gets it sorted tho :P

[Guest PeaNut_HU]

Made me think of this

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114898/

I though of the film first, but not waterworld:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1190080/

(Sorry for OT)

[Guest KenBW2]

My power button went nackered, took it in and all he did was check the power button. Maybe if you incapacitate the button you'll get a replacement there and then like I did

[Guest jonep]

Can we just clarify the rice...

Long Grain, Short Grain or pilau rice ? :D

[Guest mr_bridger]

Can we just clarify the rice...

Long Grain, Short Grain or pilau rice ? :D

ive done this before and it worked... with a phone that went through the washing machine. needed a new battery mind.

i found basmati the best!! lol.

[Guest nunoar]

Rice works very well indeed!

[Guest Smiff2]

er, if your phone breaks (genuinely) and you bought it from orange online (or via the phone in my case), will an orange shop exchange for you?

the rice tip is a good one, i'm almost tempted to dunk my phone just to try.. maybe start with an old mp3 player first :D