For the computer saavy, please help?
 

I have a problem.

This morning, when I was getting ready for work, I was trying to upload some new music to my iPod. I connected it to the firewire connector and it didn't work like normal, so I looked at the connector and saw that there was a fair amount of dust/whatever in it, so I thought that must be the problem. Now I tried to get the dust out of the connector when something happened.

There was a spark, and my computer shut off immediately.

I felt so stupid for not disconnecting the firewire connector first before trying to pry the dust out of there, but now I'm faced with the problem that my computer just won't turn on. The spark in question did not come from the computer end however, it came from the connector end (the part I was fiddling with), which I *think* leaves me a few possible ways to fix the problem

1) The Power Source got fried, and replacing it will solve the problem
2) The Board fried, and replacing the board and processor will solve the problem
3) Both of the above
4) Computer busted, must replace whole damn thing.

My question is, which of these seems to be the most likely solution to the problem? Is there anything I haven't thought of?

Given how firewire works (carrying data and power through the cable) and you saw a spark which blew up your computer, it could be a number of parts that got blown.

If you know somebody that can work with computer innards, have them strip down all the non essentials and see if it boots. If it does, start adding stuff back in.

However if your firewire port is directly attached to the motherboard, the chances of your motherboard being fried is much more likely.

1 is probably not likely.
2 is probably what happened.

Or depending on your firewire setup, it could be 5) Your card that has the firewire connection (PCI card, sound card, whatever).

The firewire port is in the front of the computer, does that mean it's connected to the board?

Most likely, yes.

Yes, via wires. You can try disconnecting the port from the board and hope for the best, but I'm really afraid something blew out. :(

Now why would trying to clean one end of the cable just cause something like that to happen. I would never see that coming.

I could, but it depends on how they were cleaning the cable.

Static.

Definately give that a go first, otherwise it sounds like a more terminal problem. Open up your case and look for a black bomb site on your motherboard.

Alternatively, replace the fuse on your PSU.

Don't feel bad. Seeing a processor cook is much more fun :)