Question : Problem: laptop won't boot up - dead as a door knob

I have a Gateway laptop, Model 400SD4. It's about 5 years old but has been running fine.

It's my main PC at home, use it daily.

Then I took it with me on a vacation and now it won't startup. Nothing. No hint of having life.

The power cord has a few frays, but I've been using it for about 2 years. There is a green light on the PC where the battery symbol is. There's no light where the circle symbol is (circle with a line through the top).

The battery is good so it should at least boot-up.

I removed the small rectangular cover at the top of the keyboard which covers various buttons, including the start button.  So I was pressing directly against the startup button.

Any basic steps / tests I can do?

My first inclination is to dig up a good power cord - but I haven't seen this extra cord in over a year.

Answer : Problem: laptop won't boot up - dead as a door knob

If the power light is not ON when you press it, then it is possible cause of motherboard issue, but let hope not that now.