HP Pavilion dv6871 lock ups

Hi,

Well, we all make mistakes eventually, and I ended up spilling some water on my laptop. It was a small amount and I cut it off, but damage was done. I can't do anything about that now. What I can do, though, is try to fix it.

If only I could find out what the problem is.

The model is a HP Pavilion dv6871. The symptom is it locks up in normal running mode within about 2-3 minutes.

Additional facts:

- The keyboard IS broken. I can easily fix this, but according to HP customer service this wouldn't cause a lock up (I was recalling how failed keyboards could lock up computers back before USB days and wasn't sure about this point based on my lack of knowledge about laptop keyboard connections). Current plan is to not replace the keyboard until I figure out the other problem.

- Assumption: Keyboard damage may be in the same localized area as the other hardware damage. The B, N and = keys are trashed.

- It only locks up in normal windows mode. When it locks up it will continue to "run" in that I can move my cursor and if my webcam is running it will continue to run for maybe 15-20 minutes. Attempting to close windows or do anything else will make the cam lock up too, though.

- It does NOT lock up in safe mode (with or without network support).

- Stock comes with 2 memory chips. I removed one at a time to see if this would fix the problem. It locked up using each chip. I used them in different slots, too, in case the slot could've been a problem. Didn't rotate, just chip #1 in slot #1 by itself, chip #2 in slot #2 by itself.

- Bios memory test passed. Can't find my memtest CD but from above information I'm not sure that would be productive.

- While in safemode chkdsk ran and found 0 bad sectors and gave no errors.

- Sound and video appear to function properly (tested over standard speakers, no headphones).

- I have no external peripherals plugged in.

- Some data has been extracted from it using a USB drive while in normal mode (so if USB is damaged it's not completely shot).

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I can't think of what this could be. I'm assuming an unnecessary peripheral or something and that's why it isn't locking in safe but is locking in normal. I mean if it's unnecessary...I'd probably rather disable the hardware and have somewhat of a handicapped laptop than replace the motherboard.

Thanks,
Jon