Tech Yoda's Tip of the Week: Quick Fixes for Gadget Disasters

Feeling klutzy?  We've all had that moment of panic when we drop our cellphone in the dog's water bowl or spill our coffee all over the keyboard.  Never fear--Tech Yoda is here!  Try these quick solutions (courtesy of switched.com) to some common gadget disasters.

1. Clean a Keyboard Spill:
   First, lightly shake the keyboard to remove excess liquid. Then, leave it upside down overnight, or preferably, for 24 hours, to drain and dry. These two steps should solve a water spill, but, if the substance is sticky, like soda, then you've got bigger problems. Try using cotton swabs moistened with water to clean the sticky spots.  If you're desperate and the keyboard is going to have to be thrown away if you don't find a solution, you can pop the keys off with a flathead screwdriver to clean underneath, and you can also put your keyboard in the dishwasher.  NOTE: I'm not recommending this for CRHC equipment--come see me if you have a large keyboard disaster at work.  Also, I absolve myself of any liability if you put your keyboard through the dishwasher and it comes out dead.
2. How to Save a Wet Cell Phone:
   Remove the battery to prevent power from going through the circuit board, as this can result in a short circuit. Prepare a bowl of dried rice, place both components in the rice and leave them for 24 to 48 hours to dry. The rice will act as a desiccant, pulling the moisture out of the cell phone. Don't shake the phone around, though, as you don't want to spread water to previously dry places.  Make sure you get all the rice out of the phone before reassembling!
3. DVD or CD Won't Play:Try wiping the disc with a vodka- or mouthwash-soaked cloth. Alcohol, which acts as a powerful solvent, will easily remove fingerprints and grime from a disc. A bottle of alcohol-based mouthwash may do the job as effectively as an expensive bottle of DVD-cleaning fluid, for a fraction of the price. Swabbing a CD with Stoli will work just as well as a disc-washer kit.  Another method discovered by people with way too much time on their hands involves toothpaste and a banana.  No, I'm not kidding.
4. Ejecting a CD That's Stuck in the CD Player
   Your first plan of attack should be to locate the small hole, or tiny black button, on the front of the player (it may be behind a faceplate). Press the button with a toothpick or straightened paper clip. If the disk doesn't eject, try to gently pry it out. Wrap a thin knife, like a nail file, with double-sided tape. Place a small piece of paper on one side of the knife, and then carefully insert the knife, sticky side down, into the player. Try to get the stuck CD to adhere to the tape, and then slowly pull it out.  Whatever you do, be gentle.