Never, ever lend out a chain saw. Ever. BTDT. Big mistake.
You are doing all the right things. Check for spark in a dark room by grounding the plug base and pulling the cord. Look for a spark. Or if you are manly enough, hold it (not recommended buuuut....)
2-strokes are very simple; if it's got spark and won't at least cough with ether, then the dufus probably scored the cylinder. Check compression...
