How We Saved a Professor’s Laptop—and His Liver Cancer Breakthrough

Imagine this: Jay Atkins, a brilliant Oxford professor, hunched over his MacBook, typing the final words of a dissertation that could revolutionize liver cancer treatment—then splash. A triple-shot latte floods the keyboard. The screen goes black, and with it, years of research vanish. Panic sets in—until he races to Computer Assistance in Oxford, where Peter, our tech wizard, pulls off a miracle. That laptop didn’t just get fixed; it might’ve saved lives. Here’s the tale—and how we can save your tech too.

The Coffee Catastrophe

Jay burst through our doors at 154 Oxford Rd, Cowley, clutching his dripping MacBook Pro (2020, 13” A2251). “It’s got my dissertation—liver cancer cures!” he gasped. The stakes? A groundbreaking study on targeted therapies that could cut mortality rates by 20%. One minute he’s sipping coffee; the next, he’s facing a £1,500 Apple Store quote—or worse, losing data that could help thousands. At Computer Assistance, Peter saw a challenge worth tackling.

Peter’s Tech Magic—Step by Step

Peter didn’t flinch—he’s seen worse. Here’s how he turned disaster into triumph:

• Step 1: Power Down: First, he unplugged it and removed the battery connector (Pentalobe P5 screws off in a flash) to stop short-circuits—no frying that precious SSD.
• Step 2: Dry and Diagnose: Using a thermal camera, Peter spotted corrosion near the logic board’s SMC (System Management Controller). Coffee had seeped into the keyboard and T2 chip area—nasty stuff. He dried it with a low-heat station (40°C) and 99% isopropyl alcohol, scrubbing with a microbrush.
• Step 3: Micro-Surgery: A shorted capacitor (C6900) was zapping power—Peter desoldered it with a Hakko FR-301, swapped in a spare from a donor board, and reflowed the T2 solder joints (220°C BGA rework).
• Step 4: Data Rescue: The SSD was intact but locked by the T2 chip. Peter booted via a USB macOS drive, bypassed the encryption, and pulled 300GB—including that dissertation—onto an external drive.

The Cancer-Saving Comeback

Four hours later, the MacBook chimed back to life—screen glowing, dissertation safe. Jay’s relief was palpable: “You didn’t just fix my laptop—you saved my work, maybe even lives!” That study? It’s now with Oxford’s medical team, potentially cutting liver cancer deaths. Peter’s fix cost £250—less than a new MacBook, more than worth it.

Your Tech, Our Mission

Spilled coffee, tea, or worse on your laptop? At Computer Assistance, we’ve rescued Macs from liquid doom for 28 years. Whether it’s a student’s essay or a life-changing study, Peter and our Oxford team have the tools—thermal cameras, micro-soldering stations—and the grit to save your day.

Disaster strike your tech? Don’t risk it—call Computer Assistance at 01865 451177 or Book a Repair now. We’re Oxford’s laptop lifesavers—your data’s too precious to lose!