does this look like water damage to you?

Oops. I'm surprised you didn't short out the circuit card once it got wet. Can't be sure but it looks like there is mold on there. Is it still wet? You might want to take a soft cloth and tamp off the moisture if it is. But be careful.. don't rub.. just tamp it.

You could read up on cleaning it.. but only with an apporpaite electronics cleaning solution. If you do elect to clean it up, don't do it with any electrical power attached. Alternatively you could take it to a local Mac repair shop to do this. This is a delicate job since you shouldn't disturb the solder etc.

I prefer taking it to a shop, btw.

Oh yeah, don't use water! 😉

If you take it on yourself you will have to fully disassemble the logic board and other components. Use a static free brush and I recommend this product: http://crcindustries.com/ei/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=10310&S=Y

"Do you think maybe i should just use a pressurised air duster and blow on that area affected?"

Never in a million years. Pressurized air can cause loose particles to become lodged in various nooks and crannies. A better bet is to use a vacuum cleaner.

It looks like it isn't beyond hope, although it does look like some corrosion has taken place. A common, though not exactly pro, remedy, is to clean the affected areas with Q-Tips moistened (not soaked) with rubbing alcohol. It's a cheap fix, and does a pretty fair job. If you're concerned about cotton fibers getting caught in your board, Radio Shack does sell special swabs for cleaning electronics. You can also get purer alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is 70% and you can get higher.

Commercial cleaners are expensive, and can, but don't always, contain extra ingredients that may gum up your works. Just get the thing clean, and chances are the noise may go away too. It looks like the buildup of crud could be causing some slight shorts in the electronics.

Domestic vacuum cleaners' plastic tools and wands can generate HUGE static charges that kill electronics. If you wish to use a vacuum cleaner, use only one rated for use in electronic devices.

Most of the things inside your computer are pretty well sealed, and many folks use blowing the dust airborne (and out of your Mac) as a practical method of cleaning dust.

Don't know that I'd call that minor, as from the photo, it appears that corrosion as already set in. Definitely appears that a liquid of some sort has gotten in there.

It's mold/corrosion. How it actually got there is anyones guess. Normally water/moisture.

XLarge wrote:

But i think i am just using a computer waiting to be no longer be usable. Should i be concerned?

Yep. Could fail at any time. Corrosion, once started, never sleeps.

Yep.. good point.. forgot about the static thing... should use a cuff on that too.

.. problem with the air duster is that it may spray "frozen" condensation onto the board as you spray. That's nto a good thing.

You should have a Fastenal in your area look for a location on their web site it's about $20 a can.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0604058

Radio Shack in the US sells a spray can of contact cleaner with a tube and brush dispenser cap. So it should be commonly available.