My Dell Studio 1749 works wonderfully but only if I have an external monitor connected. If I disconnect the monitor and turn on the laptop the display lights blink for a second or two then there is a "click" and the power shuts down.
I found this old discussion but it doesn't reach a conclusion
en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19449845
I Suspect the LCD screen has died but I'm happy to consider other thoughts before I go ahead and replace the screen.
Thanks
Julien