Laptop will boot... backlight turns on... but no video signal

Question

Hello!
(I searched but couldn't find a situation quite like mine, so sorry if this is a repost.)
After dropping my iBook, I busted the bezel/clutch. The unit powered up, including a fully functional display, but the lid just opened a little screwy.
So, I had the bezel/clutch replaced by an IT buddy, and when everything was reassembled, the unit would still boot up, the backlight would turn on, but there was no video signal! We thought maybe the VGA cable got messed up in the process, so we had it swapped out. Same problem.
Any ideas? Any thoughts if this problem is related to: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=877652&tstart=60 ?
I got a heck of a deal on this thing, so I'm thinking about just connecting to an ext. display, backing up everything, and parting it out on eBay. But this was my first Mac, and I only had it for a week, so if there's an easy/economical fix, I definitely want to give it a go!
Thanks folks!
Lance

Answer 1

Lactoes,
This is from Apple:
"Display
No display, or dim display, but computer appears to operate correctly
1. Remove any connected peripherals.
2. Try known-good power outlet, power adapter and power cord.
3. Press F2 (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to increase the screen brightness
setting.
4. Reboot the computer—hold down the Control and Command keys and press the
Power button, or press and hold the Power button for 5 to 10 seconds to shut down the
computer, then press the Power button to restart.
5. Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shiftpower.
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the "fn" key when resetting the
power manager.
Warning: Resetting the power manager means you will also need to reset the
date and time (using the Date & Time control panel).
6. Reset PRAM (Press the power button, then hold down the Option-Command-P-R
keys until you hear the startup chime at least one additional time after the initial
startup chime).
7. Verify backlight cable and LVDS cable connections are seated properly and that the
cables are not damaged (refer to display assembly replacement instructions).
8. Replace display.
9. Verify cable connections and check cables around the hinges for damage.
10. Replace logic board."
The LVDS cable:
922-6368
922-6432 (SS)
Check this out:
http://www.pbparts.com/shop.php/9226432
apparantly there were two versions of this cable the first and the ss.
Even so you should get something. Try the external monitor and report back.
Richard