My mbp 2009 boots with chime then black screen

Good New Year folks
Today, I turned on my mbp and the problem is, it chimes, boots up then the screen goes black.
The caps lock key lights up, the volume control makes the usual noise going up and down.
I have no keyboard illumination.
Pressing various keys on the top row might show my home screen but it disappears after a second or two.
I have spent a few hours searching and my head is spinning, as I'm not so hot with these things.
Please could anyone give me some help as what to try as the repair centre is a 120 mile drive from here and if it's toast I won't waste my time and fuel.
Many thanks in advance
Gordy

Many thanks for your reply.
Earlier I tried connecting a monitor to the mbp and its still the same. No display on that either.
So I guess it's not the display.
I did boot the mbp up an hour later and it's working fine now
I have'nt tried switching it off yet and it's been on for an hour or so.
The burning question now is, will this be an intermittent problem and who know what will happen when I reboot it again.
Anyway, thanks again for your help

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