The fine folks at Computer Clinic were able to repair my busted laptop, so I am a happy computer geek once again.

As it turns out, they had to take the machine completely apart, re-solder some pins on the mother board, re-connect the voltage outlet, put everything back together again, and reset the power supply.

Nice folks there, and it only cost me 65 euros, which is much much cheaper than having to buy a new laptop (even if the one I have is almost four years old it works just fine for now, although subconsciously I'm hoping for some excuse to purchase another one).