Computer beeps 3 times and cant access internal HDD after water spill

desx

Prominent
Feb 1, 2018
4
0
510
Hello! I accidentally spilled water on my MSI GS63VR yesterday. An hour or 2 after spilling water onto my computer I lost access to my Internal HDD (D drive) and can't access any of the files in there. I decided to reboot my computer to see if the problem persists and this time my computer beeps in a 3 time pattern (Video attached). Not only this but the loading circle didn't appear until 30 seconds in and the reboot process took an abnormally long time as well. After loading in I still can't access any of the files on my D drive (HDD). Everything in my SSD (C drive) is accessible and my keyboard is working fine. Initially my trackpad wasn't working as well but it is working fine today so I assume the water has dried on the surface level.

I just tried to remove the HDD but stopped halfway because I was unfamiliar with the process itself and didn't want to mess anything up. But I did notice a few dried water mark patterns on the HDD itself. I also saw some water near the battery as well and on the bottom lid so I cleaned them off. I took the HDD off but didn't see any water under it though. I have attached several pictures as reference.

Is my internal HDD still usable and data accessible? If so, how do I fix it? Thanks![video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5B_z-NtzDE&feature=youtu.be"][/video]
 
Solution
Stop playing with the laptop.

Turn it off, unplug it, open it up, disconnect the battery. Do everything you can to dry it. Expect to be without the laptop for several days to a week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASvbnODtq4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8211HNs4eY

It's a bit troubling to hear the hard drive stopped working. Hopefully all that's happened is the connector got wet and the signal is shorting out. But HDDs have a small hole to let the internal air pressure equalize with the outside (otherwise warpage of the HDD case could cause it to seize up). There's a filter and small sponge-like pad at this hole to protect against dirt and water. But if the water has saturated the pad, it could lead to water...
Stop playing with the laptop.

Turn it off, unplug it, open it up, disconnect the battery. Do everything you can to dry it. Expect to be without the laptop for several days to a week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASvbnODtq4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8211HNs4eY

It's a bit troubling to hear the hard drive stopped working. Hopefully all that's happened is the connector got wet and the signal is shorting out. But HDDs have a small hole to let the internal air pressure equalize with the outside (otherwise warpage of the HDD case could cause it to seize up). There's a filter and small sponge-like pad at this hole to protect against dirt and water. But if the water has saturated the pad, it could lead to water condensing on the platters causing corrosion pitting. Pretty much a death sentence for the drive.

Anyway, do your best to dry it off and hopefully it'll work again. If it was just water, I'd say your chances of a full recovery are pretty good if you act quickly.
 
Solution

desx

Prominent
Feb 1, 2018
4
0
510


Alright. I'll take the battery and HDD out and let them dry overnight and see how it goes. I'll make sure the hole on the HDD is faced upwards so the water can evaporate from the sponge as well. Fingers crossed!