(cache) 11 Quick Fixes for Gadget Disasters

Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Computers, Video Games, Advice, Editor's Picks

11 Quick Fixes for Gadget Disasters

by Warren Riddle — Mar 14th 2009 at 2:01PM

Dropping your cell phone in the pool (or worse) or spilling coffee on your computer keyboard doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy a new one. Such last-minute disasters happen all the time. As a public service for our klutzy readers, or those who choose to take a 'MacGruber' approach to tech repair, we've put together a list of quick fix solutions for your gadget and tech mishaps or emergencies. We've scoured the Web (and pestered the IT guys) to compile this list, and, while some are tested methods of providing a temporary fix on the cheap, a few solutions are intended to be used only as a last resort option. (If you decide on a whim that your keyboard needs cleaning, put it in the dishwasher, and find that it no longer works, sorry, but you're on your own, folks.) Regardless, we hope these help.

Next >>

Tags: advice, broken, features, gadgetmishaps, mishaps, quick fix, QuickFix, repair

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

brandon said 2:57PM on 3-14-2009

what about ipod in wash machine

Holly said 4:14PM on 3-14-2009

Awesome! I sent this to all my friends! =3 I allways spill stuff on my keyboard,so this is a life-saver! (Get it? Life Saver? The candy? Oh I give up!)

~~Holly (NeoStarNews@aol.com. Feel free to IM/E-mail me. :3)

Alyy said 4:27PM on 3-14-2009

Hold down the menu button and the middle/center button until an apple symbol shows up, then try the play button and center/middle button.
It should turn on after that.

a.q. said 5:29PM on 3-15-2009

I tried to get a credit card out that was stuck in my car cd.I did it by putting a double sided tape on the top side of a cd and inserted it top side down.The cd came out with the credit card.It MAY be a better way than doing it with a thin knife or nail file. THANK YOU

jen said 11:23AM on 3-31-2009

small elecronic item in water? Washed pedometer because you forgot to take it off your pants before washing them? Stick it in the freezer! once it freezes, if you can open up the back, do so and give the item a very light tap to knock off the ice crystals. Keep doing so until no more ice falls out. this worked on my pedometer.
This also works on accidentally washed mood rings for those with kids who wear them. it MUST be placed in the freezer ASAP!!!

Add your comments

Your comments:

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Switched Video

Most Emailed Stories

Editors' Picks

Celebrities on Twitter

Recently, media personalities have taken to celebrity Twitterers like fat kids to the neighborhood ice cream truck. But don't be fooled, dear readers. We here at Switched are the fattest on the block. So, without further ado, we present to you the most ridiculous, significant, misspelled and/or out-of-context tweets by the most recognizable folks we could find. Enjoy.

Shaquille O'Neal
"I'm goin to the alamo tomorro to get one of those daniel boone squirrel tail hats, I'm n san antonio, in case u didn't kno were the alamo is"

Getty

Tina Fey
"I don't know why I even bother chewing corn anymore."

Getty

Ashton Kutcher
"There's nothing cool about being a pimp. Pimp = Slave Owner"

Getty

Britney Spears
"Britney went to Jerry's Deli last night for after shopping at Target. She had a black and white milkshake with dinner. Lauren"

Getty

John Tesh
"JT is shopping with women. I need a guy film."

Getty

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz
"When I'm asleep on the inside only you get my acid washed mind."

Getty

President Barack Obama
"We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion. All of this happened because of you. Thanks"

Getty

Senator John McCain
"YEs!! I am twittering on my blackberry but not without a little help!"

Getty

John Cleese
"Thinking about tooth decay..."

Getty

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

Home Audio Reviews
9.0 out of 10
Denon AVR-4306 (black)
Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD (black)
Six-piece home theater speaker package with slender towers; compact center and surround speakers; remote controlled subwoofer with adjustable equalization; gorgeous furniture grade real cherry wood or black gloss finishes; 10 year warranty; 30 day in-home trial; free shipping. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD (cherry)
Six-piece home theater speaker package with slender towers; compact center and surround speakers; remote controlled subwoofer with adjustable equalization; gorgeous furniture grade real cherry wood or black gloss finishes; 10 year warranty; 30 day in-home trial; free shipping. Full Review
Cell Phone Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review
8.6 out of 10
Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger
The Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger successfully delivers emergency power to your cell phone. It's easy to use and comes with a couple of surprising features. Full Review
8.3 out of 10
Apple iPhone 3G (8GB, Black, Refurbished)
The Apple iPhone 3G offers critical new features including support for high-speed 3G networks, third-party applications, and expanded e-mail. Its call quality is improved and it continues to deliver an excellent music and video experience. Full Review
Digital Camera Reviews

9.3 out of 10
Nikon D3 (body only)
Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review
9.3 out of 10
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review
Desktop Reviews

8.7 out of 10
Dell XPS 630 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 500GB HDD, 2GB)
Fastest gaming performance in its price category (mostly); distinctive chassis; lots of expandability; Nvidia software makes overclocking easy. Full Review
8.5 out of 10
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review
8.4 out of 10
Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review