Emergency situation: home burned down; efforts underway to save the computer.
Emergency situation: home burned down; efforts underway to save the computer.
Start with the SSD, keeping your data safe is key. The CPU seems okay unless the firefighters caused water damage, then expect possible water issues everywhere. If you're ready to take it apart, clean the GPU thoroughly, looking for any signs of corrosion. Based on current prices, consider removing the RAM, but be careful—damage might be hard to spot. I’m unsure how reliable they are now. The PSU and motherboard can be discarded too, as many spots might still have hidden water damage that can’t be fixed. Risk of harming other parts if you try to keep using it. Sorry for the confusion.
I would disassemble everything, including the PSU, to examine it. An air compressor could help locate water sources. Based on the condition, I’d likely test any item that appears completely dry (was firefighters using plain water?). Fans are considered the most vulnerable, but they can be replaced. The system wasn’t turned on at the time. Edited Friday at 09:20 PM by leclod
Thanks for your support! I'm just relieved everything can be swapped out easily. The Fractal Era 2 situation is pretty solid, so the main concern is cleaning up the mess and getting the rubble out. Most of my stuff was taken away by the firefighters, which makes sense for safety reasons. I'll take it apart and rent an air compressor right away. Looking forward to sharing the results!
It seems like you're asking about a potential issue with your computer after water damage. You're wondering if residual water could cause further harm and whether it's safe to proceed with repairs or replacements.
I was monitoring my server status during the incident. It seems power was shut off before anyone entered, causing all devices to stop at once. The water supply appeared clean by standard measurements, though the large volume from above floors raised concerns about its quality. Cleaning surfaces safely is definitely possible—just take precautions to avoid contamination. Let me know if you need more guidance.
I’d drop the PSU regardless—risk too high. Motherboard situation depends on its condition and replacement costs. Don’t rush, use a 99% isopropyl alcohol solution, thoroughly clean the SSD, and let it air dry for several days. If your system was inactive during the incident (or power cut before water arrived), recovery odds improve significantly with this method. For the CPU, some experienced users can confirm if it’s soldered IHS; if so, rinse gently as before and it should be fine. The GPU will likely need the most effort—disassemble as much as possible to remove debris, and replace TIM if necessary. Keep in mind, water and conductive particles are the main issues, not the presence of moisture itself.
They could possibly check it now, but the danger is significant. PSU and motherboard contain many parts with space between them and the PCB, allowing water to gather and not be removed. Over time, corrosion will develop and could cause unexpected blue smoke. A proper solution would involve desoldering everything from the board and rewiring it after cleaning, but that’s not feasible right now or for the equipment. Other components like SSD, RAM, and GPU are small and easy to take apart, corrosion is visible, and using a toothbrush with alcohol usually works. RAM could become slightly unstable or degrade after exposure to heat, though the decision should be made carefully.