you can check receptacles with a voltage detecting pens that cost like $5 at HD to see if you're getting 120V at your receptacle without having to bojangle anything.
if you checked your breaker maybe make sure it's fully in the 'on' position. i know sometimes the breaker trips and doesn't go fully in the 'off' position and looks like it's 'on'. i had that problem before and turned it off then on again after checking everything else. i just
myself for not checking that first
