Contract Phone is Waterdamaged- how to save contract?

JustWonderful · 17-02-2011, 15:59

Hiya,

Started a 24 month contract in October 2010 and like an idiot have just put my phone in the washing machine. The phone and the battery are currently in bowls of rice (read on the net that this may help) however it is unlikely to help as the battery dot is pink, rather than white, and also the screen is waterlogged!

Insurance is a no go- didnt get it, and dont think it would cover accidental damage anyway...

If the phone (as i suspect) is beyond repair, what is my best bet so continue using the contract? Can I buy a SIM-less Blackberry Pearl and put my o2 SIM in? Does it have to be a BB Pearl? Is that guaranteed success as I have had a look and the phones are £150-£200 so it would be an expensive mistake!!

Any other way out of this mess?!

flagpole · 17-02-2011, 16:03

1 - check your household insurance if you have it
2- yeah you can buy any phone you like, perhaps a PAYG one. If you have the blackberry service then you probably want a blackberry. just make sure it's not locked to another network.
3- the coloured do is only to show that it's been exposed to water not that it wont work.
4- it might be worth speaking to the network. they may be able to send you another one in return for extending your contract.

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 16:43

Is it getting air to dry out or is the rice keeping some moisture in?

Rice absorbs moisture from porous materials like cloth or sponge.
A warm, not hot radiator for about a week sounds best.

midnightdraven · 17-02-2011, 17:11

Bag of rice is the best. This is a known way to recover a BB, [depending on the amount of moisture damage to begin with].

As the moisture evaporates from the phone, the rice absorbs it. Having a bowl of rice will just absorb any moisture [in the air for example]

prking · 17-02-2011, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnightdraven

Bag of rice is the best. This is a known way to recover a BB, [depending on the amount of moisture damage to begin with].

As the moisture evaporates from the phone, the rice absorbs it. Having a bowl of rice will just absorb any moisture [in the air for example]

The rice in a bag is a bit of an urban myth. You need to get dry air circulating through the phone, which can't happen when its in a bag of rice. The original rice advice was to place the phone ON a bed of rice in a warm dry place. Air can circulate through the phone and the rice absorbs any moisture in the air.

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 18:31

Maybe it is related to silica crystals which is used to keep new moisture OUT.

midnightdraven · 17-02-2011, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

The rice in a bag is a bit of an urban myth. You need to get dry air circulating through the phone, which can't happen when its in a bag of rice. The original rice advice was to place the phone ON a bed of rice in a warm dry place. Air can circulate through the phone and the rice absorbs any moisture in the air.

Hey, just going by what I've read http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.p...ckBerry_Wet%3F

"sealed container of uncooked rice" though admittedly it states it then also put it in a warm place.
The forum has had people posting that it works.

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 19:44

If the environment was ultra moist a sealed container with rice could be better than what's outside.

But maybe even then only if the phone is reasonably dry.

flagpole · 17-02-2011, 19:44

the sealed rice bag is as close as you are going to get as a drying chamber.

The idea is the rice dries the air and the zero humidity diffuses the water out of the phone. It works better than circulating moist air.

I'd never have the stones to try it but another great way of drying things is to soak them in a more volatile liquid. Ethanol/meths for example, use that to replace the water then evaporate that....

JustWonderful · 17-02-2011, 19:51

Have just inspected the phone, was in a bowl of rice but under complete cover of rice, and it has definitely improved, the screen is no longer water-logged. Have now moved phone and battery into a bag of rice, sealed it and put it in an airing cupboard!!!!

Will update tomorrow night with the latest!

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 20:21

It will dry eventually,
A warm dry flow of air is a quick safe method.

http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=4360

That sums it up.

flagpole · 17-02-2011, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

It will dry eventually,
A warm dry flow of air is a quick safe method.

http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=4360

That sums it up.

that guy's just guessing. He doesn't understand how it works. Drying the air surrounding the device causes a diffusion gradient. Fast moving air dries things because the saturated air in contact with the moisture is quickly moved away. But this is not as strong a gradient as using dried air.

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 20:57

Once heck of a gradient if the sealed container is to dry faster than using a fan.

mr_dink · 17-02-2011, 21:00

I once dropped an older blackberry 7290 in the toilet.

I left it to dry in the airing cupboard for about a week and it was ok.

There was some slight staining on the screen which eventually went.

Leave it as long as possible before trying to turn it on, at least a week.

JustWonderful · 17-02-2011, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_dink

I once dropped an older blackberry 7290 in the toilet.

I left it to dry in the airing cupboard for about a week and it was ok.

There was some slight staining on the screen which eventually went.

Leave it as long as possible before trying to turn it on, at least a week.

A week

I at least have an old phone I can use for the interim period, just need to covertly change my phone number in my dads phone, he would go mad! even though i am 21 and live away from home i still fear his wrath!

alanwarwic · 17-02-2011, 21:42

Just swap sims unless the old phone is network locked.

JustWonderful · 17-02-2011, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Just swap sims unless the old phone is network locked.

Tried to but my old phone is indeed locked to Orange, and its an o2 SIM

Tassium · 17-02-2011, 22:13

Personally I would take a phone to pieces and leave it in a warm place for a week.

If it's still all screwed together it will take forever for the moisture to get out. A week is the bare minimum I would think in that case.

Since the cost of switching on too early is perhaps in the region of £200 I don't see the problem. Of course the phone might already be toast but you never know.

JustWonderful · 17-02-2011, 22:30

Thanks guys, will leave it till Friday

no BBM for a week! then if it is screwed I will be hunting around town on that Sunday for the cheapest PAYG blackberry

JustWonderful · 22-02-2011, 18:50

Phone is officially dead- the screen is just shot to pieces, got impatient and when i put the battery in the phone, nothing happens

Now, I really want a BB Pearl but cant justify spending £250 on a PAYG version- I dont really want any of the other blackberrys- I can never seem to type on them without pressing about 4 keys!

What phone would you reccomend that is similar to the BB Pearl but with a less hefty price tag? The three main things I liked about the Pearl was that it was so simple to upload facebook photos- sad I know- and BBM, which I will lose, and also the internet being so much quicker than my older Samsung phone...any ideas??

mr_dink · 22-02-2011, 21:31

Really the only thing like a BB pearl would be... a BB pearl.

Check ebay to see if you can get an older version second hand, you should be able to get an older 8100/8120 for about £30-70.

Also you can buy one from cex either instore if you have one locally or online(www.webuy.com), 8100 pearls start at £45 on their website, however that would be for a 'poor' condition phone with scratches etc. They do give a 12 month warranty on second hand phones though.

Tassium · 22-02-2011, 22:08

I hate those people who give unsolicited advice but I would have gotten accidental damage insurance for a mobile with a £250 replacement cost.

Just sayin...

This site has a list and good search function for mobiles by feature:

http://www.gsmarena.com/

But I think the only way to be sure to get BB Pearl like experience is with a BB Pearl really.

JustWonderful · 22-02-2011, 23:10

Thanks to the constant advertising on DS i decided to check out the 3 store, and they have the BB Pearl for £150 on PAYG- if I buy this phone will I definitely be able to unlock it so it works with my o2 SIM?

17-02-2011, 15:59	#1
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Contract Phone is Waterdamaged- how to save contract? Hiya, Started a 24 month contract in October 2010 and like an idiot have just put my phone in the washing machine. The phone and the battery are currently in bowls of rice (read on the net that this may help) however it is unlikely to help as the battery dot is pink, rather than white, and also the screen is waterlogged! Insurance is a no go- didnt get it, and dont think it would cover accidental damage anyway... If the phone (as i suspect) is beyond repair, what is my best bet so continue using the contract? Can I buy a SIM-less Blackberry Pearl and put my o2 SIM in? Does it have to be a BB Pearl? Is that guaranteed success as I have had a look and the phones are £150-£200 so it would be an expensive mistake!! Any other way out of this mess?!

17-02-2011, 16:03	#2
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	1 - check your household insurance if you have it 2- yeah you can buy any phone you like, perhaps a PAYG one. If you have the blackberry service then you probably want a blackberry. just make sure it's not locked to another network. 3- the coloured do is only to show that it's been exposed to water not that it wont work. 4- it might be worth speaking to the network. they may be able to send you another one in return for extending your contract.

17-02-2011, 16:43	#3
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Is it getting air to dry out or is the rice keeping some moisture in? Rice absorbs moisture from porous materials like cloth or sponge. A warm, not hot radiator for about a week sounds best.

17-02-2011, 17:11	#4
midnightdraven Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chester, UK (Winter Hill) Posts: 344	Bag of rice is the best. This is a known way to recover a BB, [depending on the amount of moisture damage to begin with]. As the moisture evaporates from the phone, the rice absorbs it. Having a bowl of rice will just absorb any moisture [in the air for example]

17-02-2011, 18:12	#5
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by midnightdraven Bag of rice is the best. This is a known way to recover a BB, [depending on the amount of moisture damage to begin with]. As the moisture evaporates from the phone, the rice absorbs it. Having a bowl of rice will just absorb any moisture [in the air for example] The rice in a bag is a bit of an urban myth. You need to get dry air circulating through the phone, which can't happen when its in a bag of rice. The original rice advice was to place the phone ON a bed of rice in a warm dry place. Air can circulate through the phone and the rice absorbs any moisture in the air.

17-02-2011, 18:31	#6
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Maybe it is related to silica crystals which is used to keep new moisture OUT.

17-02-2011, 19:28	#7
midnightdraven Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chester, UK (Winter Hill) Posts: 344	Quote: Originally Posted by prking The rice in a bag is a bit of an urban myth. You need to get dry air circulating through the phone, which can't happen when its in a bag of rice. The original rice advice was to place the phone ON a bed of rice in a warm dry place. Air can circulate through the phone and the rice absorbs any moisture in the air. Hey, just going by what I've read http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.p...ckBerry_Wet%3F "sealed container of uncooked rice" though admittedly it states it then also put it in a warm place. The forum has had people posting that it works.

17-02-2011, 19:44	#8
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	If the environment was ultra moist a sealed container with rice could be better than what's outside. But maybe even then only if the phone is reasonably dry.

17-02-2011, 19:51	#10
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Have just inspected the phone, was in a bowl of rice but under complete cover of rice, and it has definitely improved, the screen is no longer water-logged. Have now moved phone and battery into a bag of rice, sealed it and put it in an airing cupboard!!!! Will update tomorrow night with the latest!

17-02-2011, 20:21	#11
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	It will dry eventually, A warm dry flow of air is a quick safe method. http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=4360 That sums it up.

17-02-2011, 20:34	#12
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic It will dry eventually, A warm dry flow of air is a quick safe method. http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=4360 That sums it up. that guy's just guessing. He doesn't understand how it works. Drying the air surrounding the device causes a diffusion gradient. Fast moving air dries things because the saturated air in contact with the moisture is quickly moved away. But this is not as strong a gradient as using dried air.

17-02-2011, 20:57	#13
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Once heck of a gradient if the sealed container is to dry faster than using a fan.

17-02-2011, 21:00	#14
mr_dink Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 164	I once dropped an older blackberry 7290 in the toilet. I left it to dry in the airing cupboard for about a week and it was ok. There was some slight staining on the screen which eventually went. Leave it as long as possible before trying to turn it on, at least a week.

17-02-2011, 21:12	#15
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Quote: Originally Posted by mr_dink I once dropped an older blackberry 7290 in the toilet. I left it to dry in the airing cupboard for about a week and it was ok. There was some slight staining on the screen which eventually went. Leave it as long as possible before trying to turn it on, at least a week. A week I at least have an old phone I can use for the interim period, just need to covertly change my phone number in my dads phone, he would go mad! even though i am 21 and live away from home i still fear his wrath!

17-02-2011, 21:42	#16
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Just swap sims unless the old phone is network locked.

17-02-2011, 21:45	#17
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Just swap sims unless the old phone is network locked. Tried to but my old phone is indeed locked to Orange, and its an o2 SIM

17-02-2011, 22:13	#18
Tassium Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: It's Grim Posts: 24,412	Personally I would take a phone to pieces and leave it in a warm place for a week. If it's still all screwed together it will take forever for the moisture to get out. A week is the bare minimum I would think in that case. Since the cost of switching on too early is perhaps in the region of £200 I don't see the problem. Of course the phone might already be toast but you never know.

17-02-2011, 22:30	#19
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Thanks guys, will leave it till Friday no BBM for a week! then if it is screwed I will be hunting around town on that Sunday for the cheapest PAYG blackberry

22-02-2011, 18:50	#20
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Phone is officially dead- the screen is just shot to pieces, got impatient and when i put the battery in the phone, nothing happens Now, I really want a BB Pearl but cant justify spending £250 on a PAYG version- I dont really want any of the other blackberrys- I can never seem to type on them without pressing about 4 keys! What phone would you reccomend that is similar to the BB Pearl but with a less hefty price tag? The three main things I liked about the Pearl was that it was so simple to upload facebook photos- sad I know- and BBM, which I will lose, and also the internet being so much quicker than my older Samsung phone...any ideas??

22-02-2011, 21:31	#21
mr_dink Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 164	Really the only thing like a BB pearl would be... a BB pearl. Check ebay to see if you can get an older version second hand, you should be able to get an older 8100/8120 for about £30-70. Also you can buy one from cex either instore if you have one locally or online(www.webuy.com), 8100 pearls start at £45 on their website, however that would be for a 'poor' condition phone with scratches etc. They do give a 12 month warranty on second hand phones though.

22-02-2011, 22:08	#22
Tassium Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: It's Grim Posts: 24,412	I hate those people who give unsolicited advice but I would have gotten accidental damage insurance for a mobile with a £250 replacement cost. Just sayin... This site has a list and good search function for mobiles by feature: http://www.gsmarena.com/ But I think the only way to be sure to get BB Pearl like experience is with a BB Pearl really.

DS Forums

Contract Phone is Waterdamaged- how to save contract?

22-02-2011, 23:10	#23
JustWonderful Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,638	Thanks to the constant advertising on DS i decided to check out the 3 store, and they have the BB Pearl for £150 on PAYG- if I buy this phone will I definitely be able to unlock it so it works with my o2 SIM?