How to troubleshoot any electronic device, by Guildenstern.
1) Is it working properly?
If yes, go to 2.
If no, go to 3.
2) You're done.
3) Is part of it working?
If yes, unplug it and wait for all the capacitors to discharge. This can take anywhere from two seconds to a full minute in most cases. Go to 4.
If no, check the power supply. Did you blow a fuse on that home run? You can check by plugging something else into the wall. Go to 4.
4) Now that the power is assured to be working and the capacitors are discharged AND the device is unplugged, can you open the casing?
If yes, go to 5.
If no, go to 6.
5) Look at all the electrical components. They look like the intro to 80's movies, where the camera zooms into a computer. Are any of those little doohickeys burned looking?
If yes, go to 7.
If no, go to 8.
6) It's not necessarily broken. It is possibly overheated and needs to be given a rest. Do not slam or hit it yet. That doesn't work as often as it hurts the device. You might want to check the company's website to see if it is a common problem by contacting their customer support. Is it now working?
If yes, go to 2.
If no, go to 9.
7) Throw it away or find someone who can perform micro soldering and identify the part, and have them replace it.
8) There may be a loose component. Are any of the wires going into and out of all the little doohickeys broken?
If yes, go to 7.
If no, go to 9.
9) Hit it. Did that help?
If yes, go to 2.
If no, go to 9.