Unfortunately 60% of your laptop's cost is from that TFT screen.
Most manufacturer's have limits on how many pixels can be bad before replacement, and of course I assume it is not coming on at all by your description.
As I am a computer tech myself, malanda's idea is something I would recommend, however I wouldn't press on it, perhaps you know someone who is capable of opening the unit and enbsuring it is connected? (Rick has a point about people being scared, however I must point out that some laptops are a bi*ch, even for us tech's to get at certain componants, so if you have any hesitation on opening it, then have someone else do it, byut obtain the part if you can)
I have seen where the backlight disconnects, cust is sure it's toast, and magically I resurrect it
also, if you check out local repair shops in the area who work on that model, you might find a deal on a used screen from the same model, (I have swapped laptop parts on units going back to the factory anyway, depending upon the individual situation).
[ 20 December 2001: Message edited by: RW-1 ]</p>