i need a computer geek

[hannika]

my computer won't turn on, it's hooked up properly in a properly working outlet but i press the button and nothing happens. no lights, no sounds, no fan whirling nothing. i assume the power source went out? dell wants to charge me $40 to ''troubleshoot'' it and i don't have $40, if i did i'd have a more extensive social life than a $15 a month MMO. someone tell me if that's what's wrong or what else might be wrong?

[MeNorel]

Some power supplies have an alternate power switch on them, check to make sure it has not been flipped to off, if it has one. Check the cord and make sure there is no damage to it that may cause a break in the wires inside. You say that the outlet is working so I am assuming you have plugged something else into that socket and it works. The only thing left would either be replacing the power supply, the thing about power supplies when they go, they tend to take other components of your computer with them. Take a sniff and see if anything has that electrical burnt smell to it, it could also possibly be the motherboard itself is gone.

[Missing_Minds]

MeNorel is correct. My first suspect is the PSU. (power supply) And he or she is also correct that when one goes, they tend to take other parts with them.

If you do replace your PSU, don't skimp and buy a good one. So many comp issues come from crappy power supplies that I can't even begin to list off all possible symptoms they can create.

I don't suppose you know any local geeks with a spare psu that you could use to test?