Compaq Presario 2100 desktop PC mysteriously died
 

My computer mysteriously died this morning when I pushed the power button! No noise, no light, no display, nothing! It's plugged in, all the interior connectors are okay, but the thing won't start. As far as I know, all the parts are good. I'm thinking it's a short in the power switch, maybe it burned out. How do I test the power switch and/or power supply to see which one is the problem? If it's the power switch (button on front of case), then how do I bypass/override it to start the computer? I haven't been able to find anything helpful on the net and I need the computer for a tourny this weekend (Unreal Tournament GOTY through Wine), so a speedy reply would be great. Thanks in advance

Minidev

Power switch does nothing but shorts two pins for a moment in an ATX motherboard. You can disconnect the wire, connect reset switch wire there instead and use reset button as power button.

Thanks for the idea, except it doesn't have a reset button. However, on the inside of the case, I see more then two wires going to the power button, so I guess I could disconnect all three, plug it in, and see if sparks fly when I touch two of them together. It's so strange, the computer ran very well and didn't show any signs of a potential failure. Now it just doesn't turn on.

More than two wires? Two are needed to switch power, maybe there is some illumination built into that button?

Yeah, 6 actually. 2 for the power button, 2 for the ON light, and 2 for the HD light. I also have some new information. It appear that the power strip has shorted out, meaning the board might possibly be fried. I don't know where to look for scorch marks though. Another idea would to check the power supply. I don't suppose anyone here knows how to take apart a power supply and check for damage?