Hi, I have a problem with my MacBook Air (11" late 2010 1.4 GHz). The problem is it would not start.

My 2-year old son spilled his grape-flavoured cultured milk on the keyboard, and it seeped in. My Mac was still able to run. Then I installed some updates so I shut it down (not restart). Then I tried to switch it on using the power button at top-right, it would not turn on.

There is no sound at all, fan is not running. When I charge it, the charger still responds by illuminating orange light until a few hours then it turned green (which indicates battery is fully charged).

I tore my MacBook apart (took a lot of effort finding the pentalobe screwdriver), detached everything (logic board, SSD, fan, everything) and swabbed every sticky part with 95% alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) and cloth (the one for glasses/spectacles). Then I assembled it back, tried to switch it on (both with charger connected and not connected) but to no avail.

I sent it to Machines Suria KLCC, an authorized Apple service provider. I told them what happened. After a week, they said that I need to replace my keyboard, logic board (i.e. MacBook's motherboard) and touch pad. I asked for the method of diagnosis, and they said they'll test it by replacing a part with a known-good part.

Somehow I am highly suspicious that they did not perform that replacement of part with a known-good part. I suspected that because I told them what happened, they immediately assumed the logic board and the keyboard need to be replaced.

I paid the RM60 cancellation fee and took back my MacBook.

I suspect that the problem is with my power button, but how to confirm it?

Any Apple service provider (authorized or not authorized, I don't mind) that can show in front of me that it is really the logic board and/or the keyboard and/or the track pad is kaput? At least I have the comfort of paying what I know really needs replacement.

Hi wei,

Thanks for the reply. Now that you mentioned it, I guess it was not the wisest of things to do. But my MacBook actually ran a few hours after the spill (half-day or so) before I shut it down, so I thought the liquid did not seep in. Only after I shut it down, I can't turn it back on.

Any place you know that I can send my MacBook for another diagnosis?