What’s Lurking Inside?
We’ve seen a lot over the years at Mount Vernon Computers—but nothing quite prepares you for what’s inside a broken PC until you crack it open. From snack crumbs and mystery liquids to live animals and stashed cash, each repair tells a story (some we wish we could unsee).
In this post, we’re sharing some of the most bizarre, hilarious, and downright head-scratching things we’ve found inside desktops and laptops around Northern Virginia. Consider it part cautionary tale, part tech confessional—and all true.
1. The Keyboard That Ate Lunch
We once had a laptop come in with about 40% of its keys non-responsive. Turns out the issue wasn’t software—it was sandwich. After opening it up, we found layers (yes, plural) of breadcrumbs, lettuce shreds, and what we think was mustard pooled under the space bar.
What it says about you:
You’re busy. You multitask. And lunch is sacred—even if that means typing mid–tuna melt.
Tech Tip: Your keyboard is not a lunch tray. A quick keyboard vacuum every week goes a long way. And please—no condiments near the Ctrl key.
2. The Hairball MacBook
This one goes out to the cat lovers. A woman brought us her MacBook Pro complaining of loud fan noise and random shutdowns. Inside the vent was what can only be described as a feline felt pad. It had collected so much fur, the exhaust fan couldn’t spin.
What it says about you:
You adore your pet. They adore your warm laptop. And that means their shedding season becomes your tech’s allergy season.
Tech Tip: Use your laptop on a hard surface, not the bed or couch. And if you live with animals, schedule a regular cleanout—we specialize in desktop repair for pet owners too.
3. The Roach Motel (and They Didn’t Check Out)
Yes, this one’s gross. We popped open a desktop tower to upgrade the power supply and were met with… movement. Inside were not one, not two, but over a dozen very crispy former residents.
What it says about you:
Hey, we’re not judging. Sometimes computers live in basements, garages, or warm spots that roaches love. You probably didn’t even know.
Tech Tip: If your PC lives in a humid or dusty environment, consider regular interior cleaning. (Also: a can of Raid never hurts.)
4. Liquid Assets: The Great Wine Spill Epidemic
It’s happened more times than we can count: someone enjoying a cozy evening with their laptop and a glass of wine… until gravity takes the wheel. Red, white, rosé—it’s all been poured, accidentally, into keyboards, ports, and fans like some kind of high-stakes tech tasting event.
We’ve opened up laptops that smelled like merlot; fans crusted with dried chardonnay, and one machine that looked like it had been baptized in cabernet. Spoiler: electronics and vino don’t mix well.
Common wine-related symptoms we’ve seen:
- Sticky keys that type like they’ve had a few glasses themselves
- Fried logic boards (the true hangover)
- Internal corrosion that smells suspiciously like a vineyard
One client said, “It was just a sip!” The motherboard said otherwise.
Pro tip: If you’re going to drink near your device, at least invite it to dinner first—and maybe keep the glass off to the side.
💬 Yes, we clean wine out of laptops. No judgment.
Whether it was a celebratory sip or a full-blown pour, we’ve seen it—and fixed it. If your laptop’s been drinking, bring it in. We’ll handle the cleanup while you handle the cork.
5. The Coin Slot That Wasn’t
One of our favorite calls came from a parent who said their desktop’s CD-ROM tray wouldn’t open. Upon inspection, we discovered it had been turned into a piggy bank. Several coins—pennies, dimes, and one very determined quarter—had been inserted into the tray like it was a vending machine.
What it says about you:
You have a curious kid. Or you thought the CD drive was finally good for something. Either way, your computer deserves hazard pay.
Tech Tip: Teach kids early what each part of the computer does (and doesn’t do). And if your CD tray won’t open, resist the urge to force it—we can help.
Why We Share These
We’re not just telling these funny computer repair stories to make you laugh (although we hope they did). These moments remind us that tech is human. Behind every glitch is a person juggling work, kids, pets, deadlines—or just lunch. And we get that.
Whether your issue is pet hair, snack residue, or something much weirder, we’ve probably seen it. We serve homes and businesses throughout Northern Virginia with friendly, respectful, on-site and in-shop service.
Got a Weird One?
Have your own story to share? We’d love to hear it—and maybe even feature it (anonymously!) in a future post. Email us or tag us with your weirdest tech repair stories. We promise—we’ve seen stranger.