Compaq Armada E500

I have the above named laptop that I use exclusively for DJ work. ALL non essential programs, i.e. word processing, internet access, gaming, has been removed or disabled. I have a four hub power accessory that I use with an external hard drive because the laptop will not power the external HDD. I use an external mouse to navigate the screen. The main battery is totally dead so I use the plug in 120-DC adapter all the time. When I turn it on I get absolutely nothing. The three green lights for 1 - A - scroll lock are constantly on. The hibernate button does not function. The cpu cooling fan is running. I had this machine running a month ago with no problems. It sat in my kitchen in a warm spot for a month. Then I tried it last week for a "gig" I had and it did nothing. I measured 3 volts with a meter for the button battery for the cmos. Question: will the machine work if the cmos battery polarity is reversed? The case of the CR2016 is positive and the button part is negative. The cell lead as it is positioned in its connector, the red wire is to the left and the black to the right. I noticed a greasy substance on the outside of the voltage converter board. Does this indicate a shorted capacitor? I know regular electrolytic capacitors can blow up and exude a gooey grease.