Monitor not working (Laptop)

[Flarecobra]

OK, last night, I took my laptop over to my friends to show them some games, and when I got back home and re-setup my laptop, I found out that my laptop monitor is not turning on. I can tell the computer's running fine by hooking up a full-size monitor, however I cannot take said monitor with me, I'm trying to find a more portable solution.

I can't tell if my video card is just jacked up, or if it's something more serious.

My laptop is an ASUS p1700 (I think, posting this at work, may edit tomarrow with the correct model make)

[bluestarultor]

Sometimes it's just the screen. Depending on your warranty and where you got it from, they can probably pop it off, pop on a new one, and get it back to you within a week.

[Ryu Van Burace]

That's a little strange, I know of three instances where it'd happened:
1) There was actual damage that broke the connecting wires so just needed sending back.
2) The little button near the hinge had got stuck so the laptop thought it was always closed.
3) I dunno if this is common but there was a function key on the lappy to be external monitor only.

[Flarecobra]

My warrenty has passed, sadly.

[Nikose Tyris]

Can you think of anything that might have caused unneccessary jostling on the trip?

If you have a small pen, try poking the little button that dictates open or closed for the Laptop.

If you have a set of small screwdrivers and another computer with an internet connection, I can walk you through the step by step process of checking the wires- and I can assist in ordering a new monitor, and installing that too.

[Flarecobra]

Doubtful, as I kept it in it's case...and I cannot see where said button would be.

[Nikose Tyris]

look along where the monitor connects to the top of the laptop keyboard- there should be a little thingie that depresses.

[Flarecobra]

I didn't see it.

Anyway, I got my squadron's tech expert looking it over, hopefully he can help figure out what's wrong.

[Inbred Chocobo]

I would suggest hooking up that monitor you said, right clicking the desktop, and then go to properties. Hit the settings tab on the pop-up. Then select the big ol' 1 on the two monitor selection thingy. Then make sure it is either selected as the use this monitor as my primary monitor, or the extend my desktop to this monitor option.

You can also do this on your laptop, I think there is a key on the keyboard that looks like a monitor. (you may need to hold like he Fn key to do it, or other such key.) And hit that a few times, which basically makes the computer cycle through display settings, some of which don't use te laptop screen.

[Flarecobra]

Ok, found the problem. My video card's dead, so now I'm on the hunt for a new video card. Any suggestions? I'm not too picky about price, so long as it's not over $250, and I prefer Nvidia cards, but am open to others if they are good.

UPDATE: Turns out the connection between the card and the output is borked, and my display is also rather screwed, sadly, so in the end, it would be cheaper to just pick up to a new one, so I'll be picking up a new one.