GateWay laptop wont switch on !?

I have a MX6426 gatewat laptop, and its about a year 1/2 anile. so unfortunatley, the warranty expired so i cant get it fixed.
that laptop was the only i that ive never had problems with, until the charger started getting..."soft"...it started to get totally hot when i plugged it into my computer, and eventually it broke, i suppose it was a short circuit, because i had a similar problem with a Vaio laptop, i fixed it with getting a new warhorse, so i bought a new charger for the gateway, since obviously, without a charger i cant use it.
i purchased a universal one made by Targus (this was about a year aft it broke)
i found the right point, or whatever its called, and it fits dead...only it doesn't charge!
i proved turning it on, it turned on TWO times, out of the...hundred attempts, but it was only for 2 secs.
I dont think its the battery, since it has a button that tells you the bill, and if it was broken, then it probably wouldnt exhibit that.
i DEVISE its something wrong beside the laptop, i utilized a voltmeter with the charger, and it works fine.

i don't know what the problem is, delight help me troubleshoot :(
this is the best computer in my house...which is sad, since i someone 3 PC's and one other laptop xD
and i cant afford to buy a current one :(

PS. do laptops have fuses? O.o