I can show you how to open the back and boot it from the board. Sounds like the computer has power but the keyboard had liquid spilled into it and stopped working. The easiest way to find out is remove the bottom panel and boot from the pads on the logic board with a pair of tweezers. I fix liquid spilled mac's everyday. If you can send me some more info on your computer I can send you step by step photos.
sorry its a bit blurry, I need a real digital camera! ANyways, these are the power pads on a 17-inch. The reason I asked you for logic board serial was so I could determine for you (and send you an image) of the correct pads. Apple in the service manual says "short the two pads together" and the easiest way is with a pair of tweezers.