What could be wrong with my laptop?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1545. I put the laptop in my backpack for school with a bunch of really heavy science books, so I don't know if that did anything to it. It was working before class tonight, but when I came home, I plugged it in, the plug sparked when I put it in the surge protector outlet, so that could have been another thing, and it would turn out for about two seconds and then shut down. I don't know how to fix this. I don't have a lot of money rihgt now, so I want to avoid having to take it to a professional. Anyone know what could be wrong and how I can fix it by myself?