It's quite possible that whoever you took your laptop to didn't reassemble it properly. However, for your concern about setting up your date settings, it's more than likely the technician unplugged your CMOS battery for whatever reason; perhaps it was in the way. When that gets unplugged, your BIOS loses all date and time information, and this is the reason you needed to reset it.
It's also possible that the mouse and touchpad were not reconnected either. However, let's not forget that water and electronics do not mix.
I understand you strongly believe the batteries are not at fault. Perhaps you are correct, but to be honest narrowing any one culprit after a water spill is next to impossible.
It's likely that any number of components on your motherboard have shorted out even if you unplugged it immediately. I do find it be quite strange, however, how your laptop will run fine while plugged in. Of course, this would generally indicate an issue with your battery. Either the battery itself or the communication between the battery and motherboard is somehow interrupted. Your external battery, like you say, could be insufficient to power the system on its own. I'm going to assume that this battery of yours is third party.
I hope others will pitch in soon, as I have run out of ideas. I have not seen a case like this before.
It's also possible that the mouse and touchpad were not reconnected either. However, let's not forget that water and electronics do not mix.
I understand you strongly believe the batteries are not at fault. Perhaps you are correct, but to be honest narrowing any one culprit after a water spill is next to impossible.
It's likely that any number of components on your motherboard have shorted out even if you unplugged it immediately. I do find it be quite strange, however, how your laptop will run fine while plugged in. Of course, this would generally indicate an issue with your battery. Either the battery itself or the communication between the battery and motherboard is somehow interrupted. Your external battery, like you say, could be insufficient to power the system on its own. I'm going to assume that this battery of yours is third party.
I hope others will pitch in soon, as I have run out of ideas. I have not seen a case like this before.