My problem is the screen is blank. It is impossible to do all the usual things, (like go to Safe mode), as nothing is displayed on tyhe screen.
The machine boots normally; only the screen is not as it should be. Today I even heard Avast say "The virus database has been updated" so everything is functional except the screen. I am assuming therefore no virus, but I cannot be positive of that I guess.
I have followed Compaq's suggestion to hold down the Fm key and press F4, and I also tried briefly pressing the power button to bring it out of sleep mode, but neither of these do a thing.
Going through what happens at boot up using both the laptop screen and my other computer's monitor may be of help -
Lappie screen: The big "COMPAQ" logo appears briefly on the screen and the screen then goes blank and remains that way. (This is usual, but normally the Windows boot up screen would then appear.)
External modem connected: The initial Windows screen appears and displays for maybe 30 seconds, it then goes off. After only a short time a blue message "Power saving mode" appears and then goes off. (This always appears briefly when I turn off my desktop computer.) If I pull the monitor plug from the laptop I get another blue message, "Check cable connection" or words to that effect. As I have just pulled it out this is understandable.
Getting into safe mode or the bios using either screen doesn't seem an option as the screen is blank. I can only assume I have got there, but can't do anything else without a screen.
All of the above tells me maybe it isn't hardware; certainly it doesn't seem to be a mal-functioning screen. It could possibly be video drivers, though how to reinstall them with no screen is beyond my competence.
Any suggestions I would be very gratefully received.
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