Changed water, no more GTX295 :(

nebj00la · 10-21-2009, 04:53 AM

So, In an effort to keep my system efficient I changed the distilled water in my loop last night. Unfortunately, as I was reconnecting the tubing I swapped the inlet/outlet on the res, and that caused a big swoooosh of water to come flying out the res.

From what I saw, most of it got on me and the carpet. I thought nothing of it at first. Now, when I boot into Windows, no matter what I try, the two GTX295's show up with exclamation points explaining "Windows disabled these devices because they reported a problem."

Since I can't find my original heatsink, RMA seems out of the question. My waterblock is now just a paperweight! Am I basically out of luck?

slamz · 10-21-2009, 05:05 AM

dry them in an airing cupboard for a week or so and try them then? they may not be totally dead just yet

eponymous · 10-21-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slamz

dry them in an airing cupboard for a week or so and try them then? they may not be totally dead just yet

Yup and maybe try a hairdryer or heatgun on a very low heat to help dry them out.

I'd definitely give them a week or maybe two weeks to dry out and they will probably work. Electronics can take a fair bit of punishment.

nebj00la · 10-21-2009, 05:18 AM

I took the block/cards apart and cleaned the h/s compound with alcohol, and got rid of any other gunk I found. Right now they are sitting on a pile of books. Do you think a cupboard where snacks are stored would be a better location? I've heard rice can help, what are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Presretach · 10-21-2009, 05:57 AM

Check SLI cable if you're nice blending. It was to me the problem above is a red light on the card.

Kal-EL · 10-21-2009, 06:02 AM

If you have a clothes dryer that has a shoe rack adapter (keeps shoes from tumbling in the dryer), put your cards in the dryer and set to low heat, it'll gently warm you're cards and the dry air will suck whatever moisture is on the cards.

nebj00la · 10-21-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presretach

Check SLI cable if you're nice blending. It was to me the problem above is a red light on the card.

I checked the cables, they were seated properly. Hopefully the overhaul and drying process solves the problem

Delemon · 10-21-2009, 06:17 AM

I've used rice to absorb excess moisture from my cell phone that took a dive into a glass of water once. It certainly won't hurt the cards any. My cell phone survived it anyway, lol.

Tackleberry · 10-21-2009, 06:30 AM

even better if you use Silica gel packets.

Asylum1 · 10-21-2009, 06:41 AM

If you just use a hair drier on low heat for a few minutes and let it set in front of a fan all day.
It should be good to go by tomarrow.

voigts · 10-21-2009, 06:43 AM

what on earth are you people telling this guy to do? Put his video cards in the dryer? Let them sit for 2 weeks? Rice- you have got to be kidding!

What you need to do is give them a good bath in 93% isopropyl alcohol. Literally pour the isopropyl alcohol all over them- it won't hurt them a bit. Obviously you want to remove your heatsinks before you do this. As the alcohol evaporates, it takes any water with it. Then you can just gently blow dry them on low heat (don't get them hot, just a bit warm) and let them sit overnight in front of a fan. If there is any water/gunk on them, this will take care of it.

Then plug them up and keep your fingers crossed. Many a hardware item has survived getting wet.

Diverge · 10-21-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kal-EL

If you have a clothes dryer that has a shoe rack adapter (keeps shoes from tumbling in the dryer), put your cards in the dryer and set to low heat, it'll gently warm you're cards and the dry air will suck whatever moisture is on the cards.

I wouldn't put my cards in a dryer no matter if they tumbled or not. Static electricity would be a big concern... as there is always gonna be some lint in there.

Sadasius · 10-21-2009, 06:47 AM

Yeah did that to my 3870X2 card. Tried it after a week and it still did not work. Tried it after a month and it worked. Just needs to be thoroughly dried out!

Zeus · 10-21-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voigts

what on earth are you people telling this guy to do? Put his video cards in the dryer? Let them sit for 2 weeks? Rice- you have got to be kidding!

What you need to do is give them a good bath in 93% isopropyl alcohol. Literally pour the isopropyl alcohol all over them- it won't hurt them a bit. Obviously you want to remove your heatsinks before you do this. As the alcohol evaporates, it takes any water with it. Then you can just gently blow dry them on low heat (don't get them hot, just a bit warm) and let them sit overnight in front of a fan. If there is any water/gunk on them, this will take care of it.

Then plug them up and keep your fingers crossed. Many a hardware item has survived getting wet.

Best advice by far.

Just do that, i'm sure you'll be fine.

MaByBoI · 10-21-2009, 08:00 AM

i wouldnt put my card anywhere near a dryer, way too much static possibilty... just do what voigts said, and if worse comes to worse you can buy a replacement stock heatsink...

jim0ne · 10-21-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaByBoI

i wouldnt put my card anywhere near a dryer, way too much static possibilty... just do what voigts said, and if worse comes to worse you can buy a replacement stock heatsink...

This.

nebj00la · 10-25-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voigts

what on earth are you people telling this guy to do? Put his video cards in the dryer? Let them sit for 2 weeks? Rice- you have got to be kidding!

What you need to do is give them a good bath in 93% isopropyl alcohol. Literally pour the isopropyl alcohol all over them- it won't hurt them a bit. Obviously you want to remove your heatsinks before you do this. As the alcohol evaporates, it takes any water with it. Then you can just gently blow dry them on low heat (don't get them hot, just a bit warm) and let them sit overnight in front of a fan. If there is any water/gunk on them, this will take care of it.

Then plug them up and keep your fingers crossed. Many a hardware item has survived getting wet.

Thanks for the idea! I ordered a 5870 with a water block, hopefully this works and will help pay for it!

kamieldehond · 10-25-2009, 08:45 AM

or buy a 2nd hand gpu cooler and try to get rma?