Should I worry? (Packing my A500+ ... for now)

[sim085]

Hi,

I had to pack my A500+ and I do not think it will see any daylight until next May! I have removed the Leaking Battery from it and cleaned the area with Vodka (I only had that at home). This was around a year ago now, and the A500+ never failed me once!

However yesterday before packing it I checked the motherboard and still saw some bluish thingy on the some of the nearby chips - however I cannot tell if it has increased or not since I do not remember how it was before?

My question is this, Can some of the acid that may have leaked (which was definitely not much) still be damaging my motherboard ... after a year has passed?

Regards,
Sim085

[sim085]

It is possible but not likely ..  I would try cleaning it up using an ISO cleaner or something .. They have at G&E , just ask for circuit board cleaner.

Ok, I will have to postpone it's temporary-retirement for today and clean it using a contact cleaner - just to make sure there are no bad surprises next May!

[sim085]

Which might end up happening a few years from now anyway in an attempt to resurrect the board.

[sim085]

Hi, I unpacked the A500+ again and cleaned it as best I could. I attached some photos of the final result. I can still some corrosion (blue) on the fingers of one of the chip but all the rest looks ok to my inexperienced eye.

If I clean it regularly then is there still the possibility that the motherboard might die? I may consider changing the chip if it becomes too dangerous to keep it there!

Edit: The chip which seems to have most corrosion is the U12.

[sim085]

Wash it with dishwasher and let it dry in a vented cupboard before pack the board away.

Would this be enough to clean away any acidity left by the leaking battery? If yes then I prefer using this option rather then baking soda, vinegar, and alcohol. The latter sounds very messy!

[sim085]

Pour some vinegar or lemon juice over the board half an hour before toss it into the dishwasher with pure water can do wonders for neutralizing and cleaning the motherboard.

Ok, I'll need to build strength before I manage to leave that motherboard in the dishwasher all alone In the past I was always told that water and computers don't go well together!

Just another question to make sure I don't do anything wrong – Do I need to remove the Processor before? Or I can just leave all chips on the board?