Water inside PC

[nexard]

I tried to turn my PC on this morning and there was no sign of life. Inspecting the computer I noticed the glass panel was fogged up entirely on both sides, and there were droplets of water on the inside of all the fans, and various other places. Some water came out the bottom too when I lifted the PC up.

Nothing has been spilt. I'm trying to figure out whether the watercooling system has leaked, or if its possibly condensation? The room it's in does get quite damp this time of year, but never experienced this.

An additional question: if I take my PC to a repair shop to check for a leak, will this void the warranty? Because waiting a month for an RMA isn't ideal

 

[Rakk]

It may well be condensation - I've definitely heard of people reporting that before (due to temperature differences in courier vans and final destination normally as its normally after delivery) - so let it dry out completely before even thinking about turning it on.

I would definitely however contact PCS and let them know about the condensation/water and the amount of water you found so they know, because if there is any water damage then they definitely need to know what state it arrived in (ie. that it wasn't your doing), I don't honestly know how much you'd normally get from condensation so its possible there is a leak somewhere if there was a lot of liquid - edit, I think I misread and thought it had been delivered like that, oops, you can ignore that

And yes as part of the terms (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/terms/) it states:
7.10 Should you take any goods purchased from us to a 3rd party and have them attempt to diagnose or repair a fault on the computer, you may VOID all warranties on the order and we will not cover the costs of any onsite or call out charges as we do not provide or charge you for onsite warranties. If you have any problems with your order you must contact us for advice and if necessary obtain an RMA number and return the item to us through the specified returns procedure.

 

[B4zookaw]

What temperature is the room at overnight? When did you last have the machine running. Obviously condensation happens when you have a temperature difference between two areas, so warm air within the PC might condense on the glass if the room is very cold. Not sure it's gotten that cold in EU just yet that a room would be very cool overnight.

 

[nexard]

In response to the first reply - Sorry I forgot to mention I've the PC for about 3 months.

What temperature is the room at overnight? When did you last have the machine running. Obviously condensation happens when you have a temperature difference between two areas, so warm air within the PC might condense on the glass if the room is very cold. Not sure it's gotten that cold in EU just yet that a room would be very cool overnight.

The PC had been off for roughly 16 hours. And the room does get quite cold overnight (I'm in the UK) - I usually have the window open and do not put the heating on.

 

[B4zookaw]

If the room is cold, the glass panel (can you post your specs btw?) will also be cold. Warm air within the case that's generated during use will condense against this glass, and given enough condensation, pool in the bottom.

Advice is to disconnect PC from power (unplug from wall socket) remove the glass panel on system and use kitchen paper to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. You'll probably need to let the PC dry out in a warm, low humidity room for a couple of days. And going forward, ensure there isn't a big temp difference between room air temp, and temp inside case. Maybe removing the glass panel permanently or after you turn off PC going forward will help disperse the warm air before it condenses inside the case.

 

[nexard]

If the room is cold, the glass panel (can you post your specs btw?) will also be cold. Warm air within the case that's generated during use will condense against this glass, and given enough condensation, pool in the bottom.

Advice is to disconnect PC from power (unplug from wall socket) remove the glass panel on system and use kitchen paper to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. You'll probably need to let the PC dry out in a warm, low humidity room for a couple of days. And going forward, ensure there isn't a big temp difference between room air temp, and temp inside case. Maybe removing the glass panel permanently or after you turn off PC going forward will help disperse the warm air before it condenses inside the case.

This is the PC: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-day-delivery/1321/

I'll let it dry for few days and hopefully it comes back to life. I've also got a dehumidifier for the room now which should hopefully help.

My friend seems to believe a significant amount of water wouldn't be possible from condensation alone - would you disagree with that?

 

[B4zookaw]

Can't say as I haven't seen the level of condensation or pooled water. The only other liquid source is the AIO, PCS FROSTFLOW 240. If that's leaked, you'd know pretty quickly as your CPU temp would shoot up, as well as increased sounds from pump due to air in system.

 

[nexard]

https://imgur.io/a/sZfvSlv

These are the pictures I took before drying up the water, although they were additional areas with water too.

 

[Scott]

That doesn't look like a lot. It could be condensation.

Does it feel like water? AIOs tend to have a higher viscosity fluid than water. It would also be de-ionised at the very least, and very difficult to conduct. I would move the PC into a warm area, dry it out with paper towels and leave it somewhere not cold for a few hours before trying again.

 

[B4zookaw]

The last pic, is this dust or condensation?

If it's dust, your PC needs a serious clean, that's way too much dust after 3 months.

 

[Scott]

Is the PC in close proximity to the open window? Just wondering if rain could reach it.

 

[nexard]

It feels to me like water. And it's not close to a window, rain definitely hasn't got to it.

And yeah that is dust in the last picture, I've cleaned it now lol.

I'm wondering, since the PC wouldn't power on at all before I noticed the water, is it potentially already damaged? Or is it possible it will come back to life when dry?

 

[B4zookaw]

That is an insane amount of dust for just three months. I've had my PC for almost 12 months, and its almost spotless. If you have the PC on the floor/carpet, you need to get it up on a desk. Between that level of dirt and condensation issue, you need to review the environment the PC is operating in, or it will fail, and unlikely to be covered by warranty.

 

[RichLan564]

I tried to turn my PC on this morning and there was no sign of life. Inspecting the computer I noticed the glass panel was fogged up entirely on both sides, and there were droplets of water on the inside of all the fans, and various other places. Some water came out the bottom too when I lifted the PC up.

Nothing has been spilt. I'm trying to figure out whether the watercooling system has leaked, or if its possibly condensation? The room it's in does get quite damp this time of year, but never experienced this.

An additional question: if I take my PC to a repair shop to check for a leak, will this void the warranty? Because waiting a month for an RMA isn't ideal

Don't think condensation works like that, it would be the other way round, condensation forms on cold surfaces (which is why PC's that have been in shippng can fog up the glass when they get into a warmer house) so unless your PC dropped below the temperature of the room then its unlikely to be condensation.

 

[ubuysa]

That's dust? Wow. I'm living opposite a building site and thus have to clean the PC every couple of months, but I've never seen dust like that.

The photos look like it could be condensation and if it's not turning on then it's not superficial.

I don't work for PCS, but with that amount of dust and serious condensation I'd argue that you haven't taken reasonable care of it.

For now, clean it, take action to reduce the dust in the environment, leave it to dry naturally in a dry environment, and then see whether it turns on.

If it doesn't turn on, then you'll need to contact PCS.

 

[nexard]

I'm not sure it constitutes unreasonable care.

It was a thin layer of dust on this fabric bit on the outside of the PC that came away in seconds. The inside is spotless. As for the condensation (if that's what it is) is that really unreasonable care? In the 15 years I've used gaming PCs in this room, I've never experienced anything remotely like it, I don't know how I was to predict one morning my computer would be dripping wet inside.

 

[RichLan564]

I'm not sure it constitutes unreasonable care.

It was a thin layer of dust on this fabric bit on the outside of the PC that came away in seconds. The inside is spotless. As for the condensation (if that's what it is) is that really unreasonable care? In the 15 years I've used gaming PCs in this room, I've never experienced anything remotely like it, I don't know how I

Anybody else in the house that isn't owning up to spilling a glass full of water on it?

 

[ubuysa]

I'm not sure it constitutes unreasonable care.

It was a thin layer of dust on this fabric bit on the outside of the PC that came away in seconds. The inside is spotless. As for the condensation (if that's what it is) is that really unreasonable care? In the 15 years I've used gaming PCs in this room, I've never experienced anything remotely like it, I don't know how I was to predict one morning my computer would be dripping wet inside.

Perhaps I have been a tad harsh, but I think it would be wise to be prepared for PCS to ask similar questions.

 

[Steveyg]

I'll be honest after 20 years of working on/building and having computers I've never seen random condensation to the point of it being dripping inside a computer ever?

Surely there must be more to this and we really can't help you without knowing all the details

 

[nexard]

I'll be honest after 20 years of working on/building and having computers I've never seen random condensation to the point of it being dripping inside a computer ever?

Surely there must be more to this and we really can't help you without knowing all the details

There honestly isn't anymore information I can give lol. The only other alternative is if the water cooling has leaked, but then idk if that would cause the glass to fog up, and how it would have found its way to all the fans.