I'm 99% sure that when I accidentally left my Dell loptop on the back porch last week it either lightly rained or got moist (even it didn't show obvious signs of being wet). It seems like too much of a correlation and time for not to be moisture related.

So when I try to turn it on, it asked me for my pin # but number lock or using the numbers at the top results in my keystrokes being ignored.

I took the top panel of the keyboard off and try to clean it with compressed air and Q-tips with alcohol, but it hasn't done anything. It will not recognize my keyboard entry.

What to do?

With the keyboard template off, although the buttons are still on, I put it in front of a fan for three hours.

Do you think covering the whole thing up with rice might work? I live in In Conroe, and maybe there's a place that can take her all apart and troubleshoot. It's a fairly new computer, but not under warranty.

Thanks in advance.

Two thoughts (but I'm no expert, at all).

1. Have you tried plugging in an external keyboard to bypass the built-in keyboard? I've never tried that on a laptop, so no idea if that would work. Probably not.

2. When proofing yeast/making dough (especially during winter), I put the containers into my wall oven with only the oven light on (no heating element turned on). Maybe you could try that (after ensuring the laptop is shutoff) just to ensure it's dried out (without overheating it) by leaving it in there overnight?

Try USB keyboard or lookup how to turn on Onscreen Keyboard , pretty sure there is a keystroke combination for that.

If that doesn't work, try booting into the bios to check the keyboard
or even Ubuntu Linux Live (https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install)
which allows you to run a linux version without installation and see if all the keys work.

That will tell you if it is a hardware or software issue.

If a hardware issue, you can pull the bottom off, pull the hard drive, buy a hard drive enclosure, put the drive in it and connect to another PC to get the data off the hard drive.

Or take it to a PC shop and have them diagnose for 1/2 to 3/4 the cost of a new one.

If you don't have anyone local I have had good luck with these guys for all things dell laptop but you have to be comfortable shipping it off.

https://www.parts-people.com/