Computer will not turn on! SOS

[Darcy]

Hello! I have a compaq presario laptop that is approximately two years old. it has been working well up until a few days ago when it stopped turning on, even though it is fully charged. I am currently living in France studying in a program and have a huge paper due in a few days and am in desperate need of a computer. Before coming abroad, I had my computer cleaned at a computer specialist, so I am quite certain that it is not infected with anything. sometimes when i hold down the power button, a a light flickers in the lightning bolt icon at the bottom of my computer-- which i think is the power icon? I have also taken out the battery and replaced it to no avail.  as you can tell i am in no way computer savy. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate some help!
Thanks so much
Darcy

[kelly]

Hi Darcy. It's really hard to tell with hardware problems.  

Try no battery just AC Power.

Try Battery and no AC.

Found a thread of similar problems.

http://weblogs.asp.net/russnem/archive/200.../07/410746.aspx

You'll probably have to take it to some shop.

[MamaMoose]

Darcy,

Welcome to techsurvivors. Unfortunately for you, wwe are an Apple Macintosh support group. However, we have many folks who may be able to  help with your problem. Even so, since you are using a Windows machine there must a Windows basaed repair shop somewhere in the city you are in. Further, perhaps they may not be able to repair your machine but perhaps they can pull the critical data off your mnachine, put it on a DVD and then you can work with it at an Internet cafe. If you are at a university, there should be a place where you can get your computer looked at and perhaps be repaired.

By the way what version of Windows are you using?

MamaMoose

[gunug]

You don't say what model it is but if you can google for "Presario nnnn Reset Button" with the model # where the n's are you might find out that you do have a "secret" little reset button somewhere on the bottom or the back of the computer.  I've also had laptops that failed to come up without a valid button battery installed; this is in addition to the main battery.  Usually these batteries are accessible via some door on the back (try where the memory goes) and they're fastened to the logic board via a small plug in connector on the end of a set of wires.