when I plug the power cord in, the LIGHT on the side LIGHTS up white. No other lights come on and pressing the power button does nothing? I tried removing the battery and holding the power button and reinstalling it, nothing happened. What should I check next? OPEN it up and look for bad solders??So plugging in you dont see a battery charge indicator either along side this white light showing that the computer is plugged into wall power with battery installed?

If this is the case then the main board is likely dead and has to be replaced. The Battery status LED should SHOW charged or charging state or else there is something wrong with the main board.

If there was no indicator at all on laptop I'd suggest that it was broken power jack etchave you tried powering on without the battery?On the side, where the AC power plugs in, there is a white light that is on. On the front there is 3 lights, a power symbol, lighting bolt and 3 disks, none of those come on.

I have tried powering on without the battery in, nothing happens.

What are the chances something is wrong with the power button? I.E. broken solder?Many laptops die the same way, just won't power on.I got it for free, is it worth putting any money into?You can get it diagnosed and get an estimate. Which may help you in deciding if it is worth or not. And you may also come to know the problem.